Lisa S. Alter
Toxic chemicals can kill or harm living organisms. Examples include; PCB’s, pesticides, petroleum, PAH’s (a type of hydrocarbon), and heavy metals such as copper, lead, and mercury. Many of these chemicals have the ability to be toxic at low concentrations. Some of these become incorporated in the tissues of organisms, and then become amplified up the food chain. Others accumulate in bottom sediments. (Atkin, Bangser, Jacobson, Smith, Wade, Backer, 1991)
Sources of toxics include;
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Copper from household plumbing.
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Lead from runoff over surfaces exposed to leaded gasoline and paint.
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PAH’s from atmospheric deposition.
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PCB’s, though production stopped in the 1970’s, they still persist in the environment.
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Petroleum, it is estimated that 0.1% of the world’s production gets spilled in the oceans.
(Atkin, Bangser, Jacobson, Smith, Wade, Backer, 1991)
See appendix p.2 for more information.