The amount of PCBs and DDTs found in the bodies of Wadden Sea seals has not dropped since 1993. This means that the expectancy by the end of the eighties, when a decrease in DDTs, PCBs and HCHs was detected, has not followed through (except for the last substance). Jolianne Rijks, who obtained her doctorate on December 18th from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, proves this in her dissertation.
The title of Jolianne Rijks’ dissertation is “Phocine distemper revisited” and includes a multidisciplinary analysis of the disastrous virus outbreak under seals in the Wadden Sea in 2002. The report includes numerous interesting aspects, but the most shocking is the subscription to the viewpoint that especially toxic substances such as DDTs and PCBs can have a negative influence on seals’ immune system. This is something that earlier scientific research by SRRC employees had also concluded. Unfortunately, we must conclude that seals in the Wadden Sea are still extra vulnerable because of pollution. According to the national institute for coast and sea (RIKZ), the Wadden Sea’s pollution through PCBs is quite persistent: The amounts of PSBs that are stuck to particles in the marine environment are not decreasing, or, if they are, very slightly.
It is plain as day: It is absolutely out of the question that this is a “natural situation”.
In 2002, research on over 1200 dead seals was carried out. Those 1200 were the “usable” ones from almost 2500 bodies that were then collected by the Seal First-Aid Team during the then rampant virus epidemic, along the entire coast and on the Wadden islands. In a unique post mortem examination organized by the SRRC and the Erasmus University – never before in the world were so many dead seals examined looking at so many different aspects– scientist from many different disciplines worked together.
Jolianne Rijks has written an impressive analysis, in which many findings from the various research groups are discussed coherently and elaborated on. We would very much like to congratulate her on obtaining her doctorate degree. It is a scant comfort that the death of so many animals (in North West Europe over 22.500 seals died because of the virus) has made it possible to gather so much knowledge. However, for us, the most important conclusion is that hard data scientifically proves that the water in the Wadden Sea, where the seals swim, still has lots wrong with it. It is no coincidence that Jolianne ends her public presentation with the thesis:
The sea must become cleaner!12-22-2008 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
