Pollution in the Arctic

Gier Wing Gabrielsen from the Norwegian Polar Institute, gave at talk at USD entitled, "Pollution in the Arcthic: How Physiology Can Be Used in Ecological and Toxicological Studies". He talked about the studies being conducted to "understand the range of man-made contaminants in marine ecosystems of polar regions". There are both "old" and "new" pollutants that are affecting polar ecosystems. The "old" pollutants are those that have been around for decades, some of which have since been outlawed. These include HCHs, DDT and derivatives, Chlorodanes, and PCBs, which are lipid soluble and are mobilized as the lipid composition of animals changes throughout the year. The "new" pollutants include PBDEs, Siloksaners, PFCs, and PFOs. The levels of these pollutants in Arctic animals is of particular importance because if it can be proven that these compounds are harming Arctic ecosystems, then steps can be made to ban such compounds. 60% of pollutants are transported through the air to the arctic, 30% by the water and 10% through the ice. Studies have shown that contaminants bioaccumulate in marine food webs, but terrestrial contamination levels are much lower. Geir Wing Garbrielsen's information can be found at http://npweb.npolar.no/english/person/geir and more information on studies in the Arctic can be found at http://www.polaryear.no/seksjoner/english.