Pollution threatens the future of killer whales

Killer whales are in danger from a persistent chemical pollution in the environment. The chemical is polychlorinated biphenyls or PCB's for short. These chemicals where used in plastic, paints, electrical equipment and much more. The chemical is highly toxic and even though is was banned from use many years ago, it has reached the environment and the ocean. Orcas absorb all of the PCB's in the ocean since they are a predator and eat everything from fish to seals and even sharks. In female orcas, the PCB's stunt the ovaries which limit their ability to produce. The ones living in the polluted seas are in trouble for the next 30-50 years. The toxic chemicals hit them the hardest in the reproductive system, but the chemicals are very soluble in fat and orcas are full of fat. Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done when the PCB's hit the ocean floor, however the toxic chemicals like PCB's are no longer legal in substances.

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2018 at 6:58 AM

    I think its terrible how the environment has so much effect on animals

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2018 at 5:20 PM

    Hearing about this really saddens me for the fact that people don't have consideration for our environment nor do they think about the toxic chemicals that are, as a result of this, released into the environment and affecting our animals.

    ReplyDelete

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