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Air and water currents carry chemicals and heavy metals from all over the world to the Arctic and sub-arctic. Volatile contaminants and particles carried by air currents tend to settle as they reach the cold arctic air. Once chemicals reach the Arctic, they take a long time to break down because of the cold, lack of sunlight and lack of bacterial activity.
What many regard as pristine environments therefore contain surprisingly high levels of pollutants, despite the relative lack of polluting heavy industry in the region.
Toxic chemicals and heavy metals in arctic ecosystems work their way up through the food chain.
Studies of whale and dolphin tissues from around the world show significant levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In some cases, levels of these chemicals are high enough to cause damage to both reproductive and immune systems.
Researchers originally believed that toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises were at greater risk because they are higher on the food chain and therefore would be more prone to bio-accumulating toxics. Current research is showing, however, that the baleen whales are also be negatively impacted by toxics and pollutants.
What many regard as pristine environments therefore contain surprisingly high levels of pollutants, despite the relative lack of polluting heavy industry in the region.
Toxic chemicals and heavy metals in arctic ecosystems work their way up through the food chain.
Studies of whale and dolphin tissues from around the world show significant levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In some cases, levels of these chemicals are high enough to cause damage to both reproductive and immune systems.
Researchers originally believed that toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises were at greater risk because they are higher on the food chain and therefore would be more prone to bio-accumulating toxics. Current research is showing, however, that the baleen whales are also be negatively impacted by toxics and pollutants.