PCBs Background Information PCBs are a collection of

PCBs Background Information: PCBs are a collection of substances used to manufacture different items such as plastics and fire resistant materials. PCBs enter the environment as waste from the manufacturing of products or from products containing PCBs, like paint, that were not disposed of properly. Overtime, PCB concentrations in water and on land began to rise. As a result, the cells and tissue of small organisms like phytoplankton became contaminated or polluted with PCBs. They also discovered that when zooplankton or other organisms consumed the phytoplankton, they absorbed the DDT into their cells and tissue. Simply, PCBs were being passed up the food chain. Scientists also discovered that organisms are unable to quickly break down and remove PCBs, and therefore it collects their cells and tissues. The collection of a chemical or substance in the tissue of an organism is known as bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation leads to biomagnifacation. Biomagnifacation is a process where the concentration of a chemical in an organism increases as you move up the food chain. This happens because organisms higher in the food chain or energy pyramid must consume more food, and therefore consume more pollutants like PCBs. Today, we know that PCBs can harm both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. In high enough concentrations, PCBs can disrupt the reproductive and endocrine system of organisms, making it difficult or impossible to have offspring. Scientists also believe that PCBs interfere with the immune system, which protects organisms from diseases and infections. There is also evidence that PCBs cause cancer in organisms including humans. The manufacturing of PCBs was banned in the United states in 1979, however items made before 1979 may still contain PCBs. Marine Food Chain Contamination by PCBs PCB concentrations are measured in milligrams per kilogram of body fat.

(Name of Pollutant or Toxin) Source: • (What is the source of the pollutant or toxin? ) Bioaccumulation: • (What is bioaccumulation? ) • (Where does the pollutant or toxin enter the food chain/web) Biomagnification: Copy and paste a picture that is related to the information • (What is biomagnification) • (Which organism in the food chain/web is most affected by biomagnification? ) Consequences: • (How does the pollutant or toxin affect living things? ) • (Are humans at risk? )

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DDT Background Information: Before 1972, DDT was commonly used as a pesticide; pesticides are chemicals used to kill pests like mosquitos. Overtime, DDT polluted the soil and groundwater and runoff caused by rain carried it into larger bodies of water. As a result, the cells and tissue of small organisms like phytoplankton became contaminated or polluted with DDT. They also discovered that when zooplankton or other organisms consumed the phytoplankton, they absorbed the DDT into their cells and tissue. Simply, DDT was being passed up the food chain. Scientists also discovered that organisms are unable to quickly break down and remove DDT, and therefore it collects their cells and tissues. The collection of a chemical or substance in the tissue of an organism is known as bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation leads to biomagnifacation. Biomagnifacation is a process where the concentration of a chemical in an organism increases as you move up the food chain. This happens because organisms higher in the food chain or energy pyramid must consume more food, and therefor consume more pollutants like DDT. Today, we know that DDT can harm both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. DDT slows photosynthesis in phytoplankton. Birds, however, are more sensitive to DDT causes the shells of bird eggs to thin, making them very weak and easy to break. DDT is no longer used in the United States, but it is still used is some developing countries. Marine Food Chain Contamination by DDT Phytoplankton 0. 025 ppm Zooplankton 0. 123 ppm (parts per million) is a measure of concentration Hearing Gull Eggs 124 ppm Smelt Fish 1. 04 ppm Lake Trout 4. 83 ppm

(Name of Pollutant or Toxin) Source: • (What is the source of the pollutant or toxin? ) Bioaccumulation: • (What is bioaccumulation? ) • (Where does the pollutant or toxin enter the food chain/web) Biomagnification: Copy and paste a picture that is related to the information • (What is biomagnification) • (Which organism in the food chain/web is most affected by biomagnification? ) Consequences: • (How does the pollutant or toxin affect living things? ) • (Are humans at risk? )

(Insert Title) Phytoplankton 0. 025 ppm Zooplankton 0. 123 ppm Hearing Gull Eggs 124 ppm Smelt Fish 1. 04 ppm Lake Trout 4. 83 ppm

The Red Tide Background Information: In the Gulf of Mexico, red tides are caused by the rapid growth of Karenia Brevis, a species of algae. The are called red tides because the high concentration of algae cause the water to appear read (see picture below). Scientists are unsure what causes a red tide, but factors like temperature and nutrient and salt concentration are thought to be important. The algae, K. Brevis, produces a collection of toxins known as brevetoxins. During a red tide, the concentration of brevetoxins increases to a level that is harmful. As a result, the cells and tissue of small organisms shellfish become contaminated or polluted with the toxin. They also discovered that when zooplankton or other organisms consumed contaminated organisms, they absorbed the brevetoxins into their cells and tissue. Simply, the toxin was being passed up the food chain. Scientists also discovered that organisms are unable to quickly break down and remove the toxin, and therefore it collects their cells and tissues. The collection of a chemical or substance in the tissue of an organism is known as bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation leads to biomagnifacation. Biomagnifacation is a process where the concentration of a chemical in an organism increases as you move up the food chain. This happens because organisms higher in the food chain or energy pyramid must consume more food, and therefor consume more of the ciguatera toxin. Brevetoxins can kill fish if the concentration in the water is high enough or if they consume other organisms containing the toxins. Human who eat shellfish are at risk of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), which in rare situations has caused death. States along the gulf coast like Texas post warnings on beaches and online to warn people of a red tide. Dead Fish K. Brevis Zooplankton Dog Snapper Barracuda Sea Grass and Shellfish contaminated with brevetoxins. Gag Fish

(Name of Pollutant or Toxin) Source: • (What is the source of the pollutant or toxin? ) Bioaccumulation: • (What is bioaccumulation? ) • (Where does the pollutant or toxin enter the food chain/web) Biomagnification: Copy and paste a picture that is related to the information • (What is biomagnification) • (Which organism in the food chain/web is most affected by biomagnification? ) Consequences: • (How does the pollutant or toxin affect living things? ) • (Are humans at risk? )

(Insert Title) Dead Fish K. Brevis Zooplankton Dog Snapper Barracuda Sea Grass and Shellfish contaminated with brevetoxins. Gag Fish

Mercury (Hg) Background Information: Mercury is an element and it is one common form of pollution across the world. Large amounts of mercury is released into the atmosphere from coal burning power plants. Mercury can travel great distances in the air and water and even arrive at places like the arctic (south pole). As a result, the cells and tissue of small arctic organisms like phytoplankton became contaminated or polluted with mercury. They also discovered that when zooplankton or other organisms consumed the phytoplankton, they absorbed the mercury into their cells and tissue. Simply, mercury is being passed up the food chain. Scientists also discovered that organisms are unable to quickly remove mercury , and therefore it collects their cells and tissues. The collection of a chemical or substance in the tissue of an organism is known as bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation leads to biomagnifacation. Biomagnifacation is a process where the concentration of a chemical in an organism increases as you move up the food chain. This happens because organisms higher in the food chain or energy pyramid must consume more food, and therefore consume more pollutants like PCBs. Scientists have recently discovered that mercury levels are rising in the arctic, and organisms that live in the arctic have higher than normal concentrations of mercury in their bodies. While scientists are unsure how higher levels of mercury are affecting organisms in the arctic, it is known that in humans high levels of mercury damages the nervous system and interferes with the development of unborn offspring. Arctic Food Chain Contamination by PCBs Mercury

(Name of Pollutant or Toxin) Source: • (What is the source of the pollutant or toxin? ) Bioaccumulation: • (What is bioaccumulation? ) • (Where does the pollutant or toxin enter the food chain/web) Biomagnification: Copy and paste a picture that is related to the information • (What is biomagnification) • (Which organism in the food chain/web is most affected by biomagnification? ) Consequences: • (How does the pollutant or toxin affect living things? ) • (Are humans at risk? )

(Insert Title) Mercury