Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in female common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from western European seas: geographical trends, causal factors and effects on reproduction and mortality.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in blubber of female common dolphins and harbour porpoises from the Atlantic coast of Europe were frequently above the threshold at which effects on reproduction could be expected, in 40% and 47% of cases respectively. This rose to 74% for porpoises from the southern North Sea. PCB concentrations were also high in southern North Sea fish. The average pregnancy rate recorded in porpoises (42%) in the study area was lower than in the western Atlantic but that in common dolphins (25%) was similar to that of the western Atlantic population. Porpoises that died from disease or parasitic infection had higher concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) than animals dying from other causes. Few of the common dolphins sampled had died from disease or parasitic infection. POP profiles in common dolphin blubber were related to individual feeding history while those in porpoises were more strongly related to condition.

[Modification of drainage procedure]. / Modifikatsiia drenirovaniia.

For the drainage of wounds and cavities the author makes use of a drainage tube both ends of which are taken out subcutaneously. In cases were one end of the drainage should be left in tissues the following mode of the drainage is used. In the middle of the drainage tube a lengthy opening is made by dissection of the 3/4 of the perimeter of the drainage tube. At the area of this opening the tube bends in two and sutures are put along the line of the leveled confronted edges of so formed "window". The proposed types of drainage showed to be highly effective, are simple in using and provide an active mode of drainage.