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Chemicals causing brain dmg in polar bears :( (Anson, Bern Sit 12E)

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Chemicals causing brain dmg in polar bears :( (Anson, Bern Sit 12E)

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Summary: A new study has shown how perfluorinated compounds, which are used to treat industrial and commercial products can disturb different signal molecules and enzymes in polar bear bear brains.

Pollutants: Polychlorinated biphenyls (also known as PCBs), pesticides, flame retardants, and mercury.

Sources: These chemicals travel north towards the artic from industiral and agricultural facilities via air,ocean currents and river flow.

The Impact: study shows that the number of enzymes and signal substances in the brain of a polar bear depends on the concentration of perfluorinated compounds the bears have assimilated through their food which primarily consists seals. the fall in signal substances and enzymes in the brain may get so bad that they affect the polar bears' nervous and hormonal systems.

Cause : PFAS chemical emission (polyfluoroalkyl substances)

Emissions:
- industrial site waste
- substances containing PFAS leached into water
- air emissions
therefore its Non point source pollution (caused from multiple sources)

Persistent or Biodegradable?
- Persistent becus PFAS isn't completely degradable
- it can take 1000+ years to degrade

Acute or Chronic?
- Chronic becus PFAS accumulates in human and animal's bodies which cause chronic diseases like kidney cancer.

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Summary:

Pesticides are the cause of exponential decrease in bee population.

The pollutants:

Neonicotinoids - Synthetic insecticides

Imidacloprid

The Sources:

Produced by Syngenta and Bayer, synthetic insecticides are used very commonly by farmers globally as a way to protect their crops

The Impacts:

Little doses of neonicotinoids can be fatal to bees, which causes a decrease in pollinators as well as less honey produced. Neonic pesticides can also be harmful to birds, butterflies, and water-borne invertebrates.

Identify if Point or Nonpoint Source Pollution:
This is a nonpoint pollution source due to its wide spread of pesticide users as well as other sources that are the cause of decline of the bee population. Also air pollution is also one of the contributing factors that lead to the lowered bee density, so therefore the sources that are causing this disruption cannot be traced, thus indicating that this is a nonpoint source.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable:
This really depends on the type of pesticides used as they can both be persistent and also biodegradable.

Identify if Acute or Chronic:
Chronic. As the bee population dies out from insecticides, this can be extremely detrimental to food chains and ecosystems. Bees are responsible for pollination, without them there would be massive decreases in available plants, vegetables, and crops.

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The pollutants:

Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide

The sources:

The sulfur dioxide originates from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. As well as the process of heating mineral ores. Additionally, nitrogen oxides come from the combustion of fossil fuels which also produces carbon dioxide in the process. These pollutants come from the large industrial sector where there's an accumulation of factories.

The impacts:

This causes severe respiratory problems to develop such as bronchitis which can irritate the throat, lungs and nose and may cause asthma attacks. Whereas, environmental systems are damaged since air pollution can lead to climate change.

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution:
This is a non-point source of pollution because there are multiple different factors and sources that cause air pollution and are hard to regulate.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable:
pollution is persistent as it can be broken down by different trophic levels.

Identify if Acute or Chronic
This is chronic as it's caused by the release of pollutants over a long period of time and it is difficult to clean up as it can widely spread.

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Microplastics and synthetic particles ingested by deep-sea amphipods in six of the deepest marine ecosystems on Earth - isabel

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Microplastics and synthetic particles ingested by deep-sea amphipods in six of the deepest marine ecosystems on Earth - isabel

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Summary

It discusses the widespread presence of microplastic pollution in the oceans, including the deep sea, and its effects on marine organisms. It highlights the need to understand the extent of the problem and its ecological impacts.

Pollutants

persistent organic pollutants (e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls)

The Sources

Microplastics can come from a variety of sources including larger plastic pieces that have broken apart, resin pellets used for plastic manufacturing, or in the form of microbeads, which are small, manufactured plastic beads used in health and beauty products. Persistent organic pollutants are fat-soluble compounds that bioaccumulate in individuals and bio-magnify in the food chain.

The Impacts

The downstream impacts at an ecosystem level on the physical and toxicological impacts of microplastic ingestion still remain unclear.

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution
non point source -  include atmospheric deposition of POPs from industrial emissions, runoff from contaminated land and rivers, and the general presence of POPs in water bodies due to their persistence and long-term environmental cycling.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable

persistent - Their long-lasting presence in their bodies can result in prolonged health effects and have significant ecological consequences in marine ecosystems.

Identify if Acute or Chronic

chronic - when exposed to low levels of POPs over an extended period, typically through bioaccumulation in the food chain. POPs can accumulate in the fatty tissues of marine animals as they consume contaminated prey or come into contact with contaminated water.

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Water Pollution - Cocaine found in Shrimp (Celine & Amanda)

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Water Pollution - Cocaine found in Shrimp (Celine & Amanda)

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Researchers have found cocaine in all samples of shrimp tested in a rural area of eastern England, with ketamine also widespread.samples from 15 locations across the mostly rural county of Suffolk.

Pollutants: Drug waste. Contamination of the water supply by drug waste is an increasing problem, with residue from insecticides and recreational drugs finding their way into the system.

Cocaine

Ketamine

Pesticides

Pharmaceuticals

Impact: The concentrations were low but if they were higher, the compounds “might pose a risk to wildlife.” As well as posing risks to humans that might consume shrimps without them being tested. This also can contaminate marine food chains and shrimp life.

Point/non point: point source pollution as this was in a specific area of Suffolk and was by caused by a contamination in the area.

Persistent/biodegradable: these shrimps fall under the category of persistent as these chemicals and drugs have already entered their system and are no longer safe for humans to consume.

Acute/chronic: This is acute pollution, as it was a contamination from drug waste. Despite the effects not necessarily having a long term impact for humans, if they are not biodegradable, it can go into the food chain and harm marine life long-term.

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Summary: The mine disaster in Brazil in 2015 resulted in the release of toxic mud. The spread of the mud put the river and sea at risk of pollution. It led to significant environmental damage, causing anger and concern among the local communities.
Pollutants:  Heavy metals and arsenic are present in the toxic mud.
The source: The mining tailings dam collapsed, releasing toxic mud into the surrounding environment.
The Impacts: The toxic mud contaminated water bodies over 600 kilometres, threatening aquatic life, ecosystems, and human and animal health. It resulted in the devastation of farms and fish stocks, as well as the destruction of villages and the displacement of thousands of people.
Point or Non-Point Source Pollution: It is a point source pollution as it originated from a specific location - the collapsed mining tailings dam.
Persistent or Biodegradable:  Heavy metals and arsenic, which are common in mine waste, are known to persist in the environment.

Acute or Chronic: The mine disaster results in acute pollution. The toxic mud's immediate release caused acute pollution. It may cause brain and cardiac problems.

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DEISEL FUMES CAUSING THE BIGGEST HEALTH CATASTROPHE IN LONDON - BRain

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DEISEL FUMES CAUSING THE BIGGEST HEALTH CATASTROPHE IN LONDON - BRain

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Summary:
London air pollution levels (2016) exceeded the EU (european union) annual limits in just eight days due to diesel exhaust fumes. It has been described as the WORST health crisis since the Black Death.

The Pollutants:
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - harmful gas produced predominantly by diesel engines.

The Sources:
Diesel-engine vehicles in streets like Putney High Street and Oxford Street were identifiable due to their high concentration of NO2 .

The Impacts:
High levels of NO2, causes respiratory and heart conditions as well as significant health impacts - Air pollution contributes to 9,500 deaths in London every year.

Point or Non-Point source:
Point-source due to specific diesel-powered vehicles in certain areas with traffic congestion can be identified.

Persistent or Biodegradable:
NO2 is NOT biodegradable

Acute or Chronic:
NO2 pollution can be both acute and chronic.
Acute - Respiratory distress
Chronic - Heart conditions and death

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Summary: Not all sound is considered noise pollution. The WHO defines noise above 65 dbs as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 dbs and is painful above 120 dbs.

Pollutants: Construction noise, railroads, roadway, concerts, fireworks, aircrafts, loud speakers, industrial machines,

Impacts: Noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people. Studs have shown that there are direct links between noise and health. Problems related to noise include stress related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity.

Source:  Noise pollution is both a nonpoint and point source. It can be found easily and often from a single source however it is dispersed across a wide geographic area as many of the pollutants can be found in daily life. It is also a chronic source as symptoms appear after long term, low level exposure.