PFCs showing up at near-toxic levels in sea turtles

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Careful study shows near-toxic levels of PFCs building up in five endangered sea turtle species. Photo courtesy NOAA.

Nasty, persistent pollutants are becoming more pervasive in the marine food chain

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Persistent and toxic pollutants are building up the marine food web to the point that they are measurable in sea turtles near levels known to be harmful to other animals.

Researchers  at the Hollings Marine Laboratory and four partner organizations   for the first time measured concentrations of 13 perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in five endangered species of sea turtles. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, Marine biology, ocean conservation | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Toxic pollution building up in dolphins and whales

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Concentrations of toxic pollutants are building up in bottlenose dolphins living in coastal waters near urban areas.

Marine mammals living along urbanized coasts are most affected by PCBs and other industrial compounds

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The tissue and blood of dolphins and whales living in waters near urbanized areas are showing increased concentrations of toxic pollutants known to cause cancer and disrupt endocrine and immune systems as well as neural development.

One team of researchers with the Hollings Marine Laboratory, a government-university collaboration based in Charleston, S.C., studied levels of persistent organic pollutants in bottlenose dolphins living along the the U.S. East and Gulf of Mexico coasts and Bermuda. Another team looked at concentrations of perfluorinated compounds in beluga whales in Alaskan waters. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, Marine biology, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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