CANBERRA, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists have warned that rare dolphin species are under threat from pollution in the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

According to a study published by Flinders University, Fitzroy River and humpback dolphins in Queensland are being exposed to dangerous levels of water contamination.

Researchers found that between 2009-2010 and 2014-2016, the amount of pollutants found in the skin and blubber of the rare dolphins increased between two and seven times.

More than two thirds of the dolphins studied had accumulated contaminants above the level considered dangerous to their long-term survival.

The increase was attributed to the level of pollutants in the dolphins' prey rising from land-based pollutants in the Great Barrier Reef.

Detected pollutants included run-off from shipping, landfill, urban development, sewage treatment, coal mining and power stations.

"High contaminant levels add to the number of existing threats including climate change, coastal development, underwater noise and vessel disturbances, fishing by-catch and prey depletion faced by these vulnerable dolphin species," Guido.J Parra, associate professor from Flinders University said in a media release.

The build-up of these dangerous contaminants can lead to population decline, said the professor, adding this could have implications on the long-term survival of the entire dolphin populations in Queensland.

The study revealed that water flowing in the reef is classified as poor quality, which could be exacerbated by ports and mining developments currently underway on Queensland's coast. Enditem

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