Two Ways in Which Polar Bear Population in the Arctic Is Affected by Pillution

Polar bears be the apex predator in Arctic marine ecosystems and atomic number 18 exposed to high levels of pollutants that argon magnify with each step higher in the provender web. near of the pollution in the Arctic is transported northward by the astronomic rivers draining into the Arctic and on wind and ocean currents that acquire pollutants from southern latitudes. The pollutants of most concern are organochlorines that are, or were, use in industry or as pesticides. A refer characteristic of the pollutants is that they are persistent in the environment and pass up degradation. Unfortunately, many of the organochlorine pollutants are lipophilic or fat sweet and bond tightly to fat molecules. Because the Arctic marine ecosystem is extremely dependent on fat for insulation, buoyancy and energy storage, these pollutants are accumulated in higher and higher levels up the food chain. Simple organisms piddle limited capacity to metabolize and go through these chemicals so they bioaccumulate higher in the food web. Polar bears are particularly vulnerable to organochlorines because they eat a fat robust diet. Ringed, bearded, and harp seals comprise the main food of frosty bears and the fatty tissue layer is preferentially eaten by the bears and subsequently, the intake of pollutant is high.




The most colly polar bears live in NE Greenland, the Barents Sea and the Kara Sea. The reasons for this are related to global transport and deposition patterns of pollutants. Based on studies, it is reasonable to believe that the pollutants load of polar bears in somewhat areas are negatively affecting the immune system. Recent studies have suggested that the immune system is weaker in polar bears with higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). A weakened immune system may mean that these polar bears are more susceptible to succumbing to disease or parasites.
Additionally, thither is evidence that the hormone system of polar bears is affected by pollution and this may interfere with reproduction and growth. A...If you want to start out a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com



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