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Toxins in Our Oceans

Toxins in Our Oceans. Types of Toxins. PCBs PBDEs Mercury. PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls. Used in plastics and electronics Banned in US in 1979 Severe liver damage leading to cancer Hormonal imbalances leading to breast cancer. PBDEs Polybrominated diphenyl ethers . Causes:

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Toxins in Our Oceans

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  1. Toxins in Our Oceans

  2. Types of Toxins PCBs PBDEs Mercury

  3. PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls Used in plastics and electronics Banned in US in 1979 Severe liver damage leading to cancer Hormonal imbalances leading to breast cancer

  4. PBDEs Polybrominated diphenyl ethers • Causes: • Endocrine Disruption • Developmental defects Flame retardants used in: Computers Televisions Cars Furniture Fabrics Foam Mattresses

  5. Mercury Found in: Household switches, thermostats Household lamps Button-shaped batteries Latex paint produced before 1992 Coal-burning power plants

  6. Mercury Neurological Damage Immune System Suppression Minamata Disease

  7. Bioaccumulation Conservative Pollutants cannot be broken down by bacteria so they stay in the animal and concentrate higher up the food chain.

  8. Mercury Levels in Fish Seafood with mercury levels over 1.0 ppm is considered unsafe for human consumption King Mackerel ~ 0.3-1.67 ppm Swordfish ~ 0.1-3.22 ppm Tilefish ~ 0.65-3.73 ppm Shark ~ 0.05-4.54 ppm Source of data: FDA 1990-2004, "National Marine Fisheries Service Survey of Trace Elements in the Fishery Resource" Report 1978,"The Occurrence of Mercury in the Fishery Resources of the Gulf of Mexico" Report 2000

  9. Biomagnification Animals at the highest trophic levels obtain the highest levels of pollutants.

  10. Toxic Top 10 Bottlenose dolphin Orca Risso’s dolphin Harbor seal Beluga Mediterranean monk seal Common dolphin Gray seal Polar bear Stellar’s sea eagle

  11. DDT and other contaminants

  12. Oil Spills…

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