Killer whale Lulu found with extreme levels of PCBs, may be 'the most contaminated on planet'

[spanone]

Last edited Fri May 5, 2017, 08:19 AM - Edit history (1)

A killer whale found dead on the Scottish island of Tiree had one of the highest levels of PCB pollution ever recorded, scientists say.

Lulu, well known to researchers as one of the last surviving whales in the waters around Britain, died after becoming entangled in fishing rope in January 2016. The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme and the University of Aberdeen conducted an in-depth investigation of Lulu's carcass and were shocked by the findings. The headline on its website called the killer whale the "most contaminated on the planet."

Veterinary pathologist Andrew Brownlow said studies have shown that killer whale populations can have very high levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB).

"The levels in this case are some of the highest we’ve ever seen," he said. "We know Lulu died from becoming entangled, but, given what is known about the toxic effects of PCBs, we have to consider (the contamination) could have been affecting her health and reproductive fitness."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/05/04/killer-whale-lulu-might-most-contaminated-planet/101277842/


What are PCBs?

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are industrial products or chemicals.

These chemicals were banned in the U.S. in 1979 amid suggestions that PCBs could have unintended impacts on human and environmental health. From the 1920s until their ban, an estimated 1.5 billion pounds of PCBs were made for things such as microscope oils, electrical insulators, capacitors, and electric appliances such as television sets or refrigerators. PCBs were also sprayed on dirt roads to keep the dust down prior to knowing some of the unintended consequences from widespread use.

Prior to the ban in 1979, PCBs entered the air, water, and soil during manufacture and use. Wastes from the manufacturing process that contained PCBs were often placed in dump sites or landfills. Occasionally, accidental spills and leaks from these facilities or transformer fires could result in PCBs entering the environment.

PCBs can be found worldwide. In the 1960s, when initial research results were released, traces of PCBs could be detected in people and animals around the world – not only in heavily populated areas such as New York City, but also in remote areas as far as the Arctic. These findings of such widespread and persistent contamination contributed to the banning of the chemical in 1979.

PCBs can degrade or breakdown in the environment, but the process greatly depends on the chemical makeup of the PCBs. The degrading process also depends on where the PCBs are in the environment. Typically, PCBs are either broken down in the environment by sunlight or by microorganisms. Sunlight plays an important role in the breakdown of PCBs when they are in the air, shallow water, or surface soils. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi, biodegrade PCBs when found in soil or sediments.

Because PCBs exist in sediments, scientists need to determine if it is better to dredge and remove contaminated sediments from waterways or if it is safer to leave the sediments in place and cover with clean sediments, allowing them to naturally biodegrade. A cap or barrier can also be placed over contaminated sediments to prevent them from entering the environment. There are environmental, human health, and financial concerns with all of these alternatives.

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pcbs.html

[milestogo]

1. We don't need no stinkin' EPA

[spanone]

2. we are a species that chooses to be stupid

[Cirque du So-What]

3. Top of the food chain

And, in the realm of most of us, so are humans. Cumulative effect of pollution.

[hunter]

6. Humans eat fish too.

PCBs have also been found in other foods, municipal water, and air.

High levels have been found in human breast milk.

Human PCB exposure levels are generally trending down now that the dangers are known, but huge amounts of it still exist in older electrical equipment still in use, and leaking out of landfills, spill sites, or accumulated in sediments.

The saddest thing about this story is that Lulu died young and it's likely she was seriously impaired by this level of PCB exposure.

I consider Orcas one of our fellow sentient species on this planet.

It always surprises me that so many of us are looking for intelligent life in outer space while overlooking the non-human intelligent species we've got here.

[logosoco]

4. This is so disgusting.

The things we do to this planet and its creatures is horrible.

Much of this could change. The use of hemp would make a major impact. But that is illegal.

Things are not going to get any better under the current administration. All those folks see is profit. They don't seem to understand science or how we are all connected.

[HAB911]

5. No one knew the environment was so complicated

sez DTrump

[malaise]

7. Way too many humans are evil scumbags

This is sickening