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Author: Jesse Ford
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 4
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Book Description
Various kinds of atmospheric pollutants are found in Arctic environments, including organic contaminants, radionuclides, and pollutants associated with fossil fuel combustion, smelting, and industrial development. While some of these contaminants originate in the Arctic itself, most are likely a result of long-range transport from lower latitudes. Recent studies suggest that at least some atmospheric contaminants may be susceptible to poleward redistribution, sequestration, and accumulation as a result of their physical and chemical properties. Thus, contamination of the Arctic may be exacerbated by the tendency of selected contaminants produced at lower latitudes to be transported to polar regions and incorporated into high-latitude food chains. Although awareness of exotic contaminants in high-latitude food chains is not new, international and regional baseline data are needed to document the magnitude, distribution, and ecosystem effects of this potentially serious global (hemispheric) problem. The United States has given little attention to Arctic studies relative to several other circumpolar nations (e.g., Canada, Sweden). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is currently designing regional-scale studies to complement existing site-specific studies and reduce this information gap in the U.S.
Author: Jesse Ford
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 4
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Book Description
Various kinds of atmospheric pollutants are found in Arctic environments, including organic contaminants, radionuclides, and pollutants associated with fossil fuel combustion, smelting, and industrial development. While some of these contaminants originate in the Arctic itself, most are likely a result of long-range transport from lower latitudes. Recent studies suggest that at least some atmospheric contaminants may be susceptible to poleward redistribution, sequestration, and accumulation as a result of their physical and chemical properties. Thus, contamination of the Arctic may be exacerbated by the tendency of selected contaminants produced at lower latitudes to be transported to polar regions and incorporated into high-latitude food chains. Although awareness of exotic contaminants in high-latitude food chains is not new, international and regional baseline data are needed to document the magnitude, distribution, and ecosystem effects of this potentially serious global (hemispheric) problem. The United States has given little attention to Arctic studies relative to several other circumpolar nations (e.g., Canada, Sweden). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is currently designing regional-scale studies to complement existing site-specific studies and reduce this information gap in the U.S.
Author: Jesse Ford
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12
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Book Description
Author: Daniel Scott Ellis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 135
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Book Description
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a class of highly toxic chemicals which can travel long distances and resist degradation in the environment. Once transported, POPs are known to biomagnify in the food web, causing disease and mortality. Decades of research have found that polar regions are the final sink for POP contaminants released across the Earth. More recent research has pointed to the oceanic biological carbon pump as a mechanism to shift POPs from surface waters to deep-sea benthic ecosystems around the world. Despite the link between these two theories, no studies have attempted to test the two in tandem, in a deep-sea region of a polar ecosystem. In this study I examined how concentrations of four major groups of POPs have changed through time in the pelagic zone around Antarctica: dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In an analysis of the published literature, I used penguin fat and eggs as biological indicators of POP contamination in the pelagic zone. My results demonstrated that DDTs have accumulated in the pelagic zone since 1964, and likely before. DDT concentrations in Antarcic pelagic feeders peaked in the early 1980s and since then have slowly declined to concentrations which are roughly equivalent to concentrations in the 1960s. Ratios of DDT/DDE in pelagic predators are evidence that DDT contamination was a result of volatilization from lower-latitude source regions. HCB contamination in the pelagic zone increased from lows in the 1960s to a peak in the mid-1990s, and declined thereafter. Increasing DDT and stable HCB concentrations in benthic fauna during the same period that DDT decreased and HCB increased in pelagic fauna suggest that they were possibly shifting from the pelagic zone to the Antarctic benthos. HCH contamination of the pelagic zone was higher between 1980-1989 than in any other decade since 1960. Temporal trends in PCB contamination in penguins from the Southern Ocean were not entirely clear; colony-fat measurements increased from 1970-1994, whereas colony-egg measurements, which rose from 1970-1974 to 1984, were variable but largely stable to the present day. Global patterns of POP emissions were evident in Antarctic penguins for DDTs and HCB, but less so for HCHs and PCBs. It took years for contaminant emissions to be transported to Antarctica and accumulate in Antarctic penguins: DDTs (14 years), HCB (14-20 years), HCHs (7 years), and PCBs (20--30 years). My examination of benthic fauna from a deep-sea region near the western Antarctic Peninsula could not detect DDT in benthic invertebrates. I measured a deposit-feeder, Abatus cavernosus, and a high-level trophic predator, the king crab Paralomis birsteini, for concentrations of three DDT isomers. In all of the examined samples, DDT isomers were below my average limits of detection: 0.29-1.06 ng/g. In this range, it is improbable that invertebrate fauna were affected by DDT contamination. It is likely that DDTs, which had accumulated at the site, were below detection limits or that the DDTs had already been redistributed by currents or more-mobile, benthic feeders such as fishes and seals. My study could not confirm that the deep-sea region in Antarctica I examined was a depositing ground for global POP stocks, but DDTs and other POPs could be accumulating in similar sites around Antarctica. My study provides the first examination of its kind in the region. Despite an absence of contaminated fauna, additional study is required to determine if the deep seas around Antarctica are final sinks for global POP stocks. Further research should seek to elucidate the interactions among major chemical pathways in the environment. Research of this kind is particularly relevant given the potential for climate change to interact with chemical transport in the environment.
Author: Bommanna G. Loganathan
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439838305
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 658
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Book Description
Environmental pollution by man-made persistent organic chemicals (POCs) has been a serious global issue for over half a century. POCs are prevalent in air, water, soil, and organisms including wildlife and humans throughout the world. They do not degrade and cause long-term effect in organisms. Exposure to certain POCs may result in serious environmental and health effects including birth defects, diminished intelligence and certain types of cancers. Therefore, POCs have been the subject of an intensive regional, national and international effort to limit their production, use, and disposal of these chemical stocks. Trend monitoring studies are essential to make clear the behavior and fate of these compounds and to protect our environment and living resources. Global Contamination Trends of Persistent Organic Chemicals provides comprehensive coverage of spatial and temporal trends of classical and emerging contaminants in aquatic, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems, including the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems. Compiled by an international group of experts, this volume covers: Spatial and temporal trends of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/DFs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), synthetic musks, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and octyl- and nonylphenols Environmental and biological matrices used for the trend studies were atmosphere, water, soil, sediment, bivalve mollusks, fish, marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and human breast milk Spatial and temporal trend studies presented from Australia, Brazil, China, Estonia, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United States, coastal and open ocean environments, and the Arctic and Antarctic regions POCs have been the subject of an intensive regional, national, and international effort to limit their production and use, and to mitigate the disposal of these chemicals. Since POCs are prevalent in air, water, soil, and tissues of organisms (including wildlife and humans) throughout the world and do not degrade, they cause long-term effects in organisms. Trend monitoring studies are essential to make clear the behavior and fate of these compounds and to protect our environment and living resources. Relevant to professionals and students alike, Global Contamination Trends of Persistent Organic Chemicals facilitates the understanding of environmental and biological behavior of these chemicals and the development of strategies for protecting the global environment for future generations.
Author: S. Caroli
Publisher: Gulf Professional Publishing
ISBN: 0080531075
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 421
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Book Description
This thought-provoking and ambitious volume surveys the causes and extent of environmental contamination in Antarctica, and looks critically at future prospects. It highlights the key role that modern techniques of analytical chemistry play in achieving reliable empirical data in this field and their impact on shaping legal provisions. Written by prominent scientists and experts in Antarctic sciences, this work gives an overview of the studies undertaken by countries to assess the impact of pollution phenomena on the uniquely clean environment of Antarctica. Empirical studies and regulatory issues are evaluated in context with the goal of providing a model approach to more polluted areas of the world.
Author: Michael Niaounakis
Publisher: William Andrew
ISBN: 0323443990
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 436
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Book Description
Management of Marine Plastic Debris gives a thorough and detailed presentation of the global problem of marine plastics debris, covering every aspect of its management from tracking, collecting, treating and commercial exploitation for handing this anthropogenic waste. The book is a unique, essential source of information on current and future technologies aimed at reducing the impact of plastics waste in the oceans. This is a practical book designed to enable engineers to tackle this problem—both in stopping plastics from getting into the ocean in the first place, as well as providing viable options for the reuse and recycling of plastics debris once it has been recovered. The book is essential reading not only for materials scientists and engineers, but also other scientists involved in this area seeking to know more about the impact of marine plastics debris on the environment, the mechanisms by which plastics degrade in water and potential solutions. While much research has been undertaken into the different approaches to the increasing problem of plastics marine debris, this is the first book to present, evaluate and compare all of the available techniques and practices, and then make suggestions for future developments. The book also includes a detailed discussion of the regulatory environment, including international conventions and standards and national policies. Reviews all available processes and techniques for recovering, cleaning and recycling marine plastic debris Presents and evaluates viable options for engineers to tackle this growing problem, including the use of alternative polymers Investigates a wide range of possible applications of marine plastics debris and opportunities for businesses to make a positive environmental impact Includes a detailed discussion of the regulatory environment, including international conventions and standards and national policies
Author: Meththika Vithanage
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119879523
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 532
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Book Description
Microplastics in the Ecosphere Discover the environmental impact of microplastics with this comprehensive resource Microplastics are the minute quantities of plastic that result from industrial processes, household release and the breakdown of larger plastic items. Widespread reliance on plastic goods and, particularly, single-use plastics, which has been increased by the COVID-19 pandemic, has made microplastics ubiquitous; they can be found throughout the ecosphere, including in the bloodstreams of humans and other animals. As these plastics emerge as a potential threat to the environment and to public health, it has never been more critical to understand their distribution and environmental impact. Microplastics in the Ecosphere aims to cultivate that understanding with a comprehensive overview of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems. It analyzes microplastic distribution in aerosphere, hydrosphere, and soil, tracing these plastics from their production on land to their distribution—overwhelmingly—in maritime ecosystems. The result is a book that will inform researchers and policymakers as we look to tackle this emerging challenge globally. Microplastics in the Ecosphere readers will also find: Introductory information about the production and distribution of single-use plastics An emphasis on management and mitigation strategies designed to reduce contamination over time A multidisciplinary approach, combining concepts and analytical techniques from a range of scientific fields Microplastics in the Ecosphere is a valuable guide for researchers and scientists, advanced undergraduate and graduate students, industry professionals, and policymakers looking to understand the impact of these widespread materials.
Author: R. Bargagli
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540264655
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 408
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Book Description
This volume provides an overview of climate change data, its effects on the structure and functioning of Antarctic ecosystems, and the occurrence and cycling of persistent contaminants. It discusses the role of Antarctic research for the protection of the global environment. The book also examines possible future scenarios of climate change and the role of Antarctic organisms in the early detection of environmental perturbations.
Author: Alice A Horton
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9811259127
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 410
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Book Description
Plastic pollution is a growing environmental problem that is attracting increasing interest across society, from academics to the general public. A significant factor in the wide public interest in plastics is its visibility; present throughout urban and rural environments, washing up on beaches and even visible from space. However, 'invisible' microplastics and nanoplastics are also an issue. With growing plastic production and usage, plastic waste within the environment will continue to increase. This increased input along with its persistence leads to accumulation and increasing ecosystem exposure, with as-yet unknown consequences.This book brings together a collection of chapters written by world-leading experts in environmental plastic pollution inputs, fate, effects and solutions. It provides an accessible overview of the current scientific understanding, future implications and key considerations for the management and mitigation of plastic waste within the global ocean.Related Link(s)
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 20
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Book Description
"This activity book was created to update the Yukon public on an International Polar Year (IPY) study being conducted, called INCATPA or Intercontinental Atmospheric Transport of Anthropogenic Pollutants to the Arctic. The activities in this book are geared towards the general public with the first portion of the book accessible to grade levels 1-7 and the second-half being appropriate for grade levels 7-12. Learning objectives: the activities incorporate the core subjects of science (Biology and Chemistry), math problem-solving skills, as well as encouraging creative expression and language arts comprehension. The activities are designed to educate the public on long-range contaminants and increase understanding on how the information collected in the study will be used to address long-range contaminant issues of the Western Arctic. The project is an extension of the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP). The INCATPA project is a collaboration between a group of Environment Canada researchers, international governments and educational institutions in six countries"--ASTIS [online] database.
