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Biomagnification. March 23, 2010. Biomagnification:. A greater amount of a substance (toxic chemicals) in an organism (I.e. fish) moves higher up the food chain. How are toxins affecting animals?. 1) Mutations, deformities. 2) Extinction.
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Biomagnification March 23, 2010
Biomagnification: • Agreateramount of asubstance (toxic chemicals) in an organism(I.e. fish) moves higher up the food chain
How are toxins affecting animals? 1) Mutations, deformities
2) Extinction • Osprey birds going extinct because some males can no longer produce
“Gender Bending Frogs” • Some of us may think these are not things we need to worry about, but… • This is an issue that is still with us today, and maybe getting worse video
1) Weed killers: • Common weed killer is Atrazine: castrates male frogs and turns them into females that lay eggs 2) Birth control pills • Estrogen in pills • When released into water system, contaminates water with estrogen • Frogs thin layer of skin
Polar Bears • Toxins reaching the Arctic • Wales, seals, and polar bears have increased values of toxic chemicals in them • Increased amounts of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x How Biomagnification Works 108x 36x 36x 36x 12x 12x 12x 4x 4x 4x 4x 4x 4x 4x 4x 4x
Affects on Humans: Fish Tainted Tuna Salmon
2007 Health Canada finally issued a limit to eating canned tuna
Activity: • Groups of 5