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Ecotoxicology

Ecotoxicology. You are what you eat!. Where is Pollution?. Most near the coast… 76% of fish harvested come from the coast. Pfiesteria. Found in waters high in nutrients Pfiesteria is microscopic algae that is a natural part of the environment Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) . RED TIDE.

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Ecotoxicology

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  1. Ecotoxicology You are what you eat!

  2. Where is Pollution? • Most near the coast… • 76% of fish harvested come from the coast

  3. Pfiesteria • Found in waters high in nutrients • Pfiesteria is microscopic algae that is a natural part of the environment • Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs)

  4. RED TIDE • During intense algal blooms, dangerous levels of toxins are released into the water. These toxins kill fish (millions of fish may die in a red tide) and accumulate in the fatty tissues of shellfish. Humans and other animals that eat contaminated shellfish may become paralyzed or even die.

  5. anthropogenic • Human- caused pollutants • Population growth in many urban areas • New materials and new procedures →new and often dangerous chemicals

  6. EPA standards: One coliform colony / 100 mL of water is cause for concern Four colonies per 100 mL requires direct action The appearance of coliform bacteria indicates the presence of raw sewage. Raw sewage may contain disease-producing bacteria. Coliform is an indicator species. A coliform test measures the amount of E. coli present in the water supply Coliform Bacteria

  7. oil • Exxon • Poison to animals • Gets into sediments • Takes about 10 years to fully clean up • Least damaging pollutant b/c it gets broken down by microorganisms

  8. Sewage • Viruses and bacteria if untreated • Boston Harbor treatment project… backed up, raw sewage in drinking water!

  9. DDT • Pesticides 1940-1970’s • Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane • Breaks down slow… still around TODAY! • Prohibits Ca+uptake…birds break eggs when they sit on them

  10. PCB • Liquid coolant, insulation • Polychlorinated Biphenyls • Liver cancer, genetic mutations, reproductive problems

  11. Lead • Paint • Mental retardation

  12. Mercury • Batteries, electronics, medical products • Does not affect humans (does effect animals) • Different forms: elemental, inorganic • Bacteria can change Mercury into Methylmercury (bad for us)

  13. Methylmercury • Absorbs easily into tissue • Poisonous!!! • Eliminated very slowly • Concentrated in shells and fingernails • Blindness, slurred speech, reproductive failure • Passed from pregnant mom to baby- neurological problems • 375,000 babies born each year affected

  14. Plant Toxins • Ciguatera Poisoning • Toxin= icthyosarcotoxin • Originates from the blue green algae in the food chain of the fish • Fish known to carry ciguatoxins • Barracuda • Black grouper • King mackerel • Sensory reversal…

  15. Bioaccumulation • Bioaccumulation: build-up in concentration of something with each step of the food chain • Crosses the blood/brain barrier and placenta • Eliminated from living tissue very slowly • Is contained in fish flesh and is not reduced or removed by cleaning, trimming or cooking • Bioconcentration: comparison between creature’s concentration and concentration in environment (i.e. seawater)

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