WWF in the Arctic: Barents Sea

Toxics

The combined effect of ocean currents, atmospheric transport and river drainage results in the Barents Sea being a "sink" for long-range pollution, such as heavy metals, insecticides, PCB and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Pollution levels generally increase from bottom to top in the food chains. The effects are most pronounced in marine mammals and seabirds, but diet-related differences in toxic levels have been found even among ice amphipods.

There is strong evidence that current mercury exposures in the ecoregion already represent a health risk to people and to biodiversity. It causes nerve and brain damage, weight loss and reduced reproduction in birds and mammals. POPs are known to affect the reproduction of birds, fish and mammals, weaken several parts of their immune system, cause brain damage and decrease bone density.

POP levels in both polar bears and glaucous gulls are far higher in the Barents Sea Ecoregion than in any other part of the Arctic. If not significantly reduced, toxic emissions may have - and probably already do have - serious consequences on species living in the Barents Sea Ecoregion.