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Levels and effects of persistent organic pollutants in arctic animals

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Arctic Alpine Ecosystems and People in a Changing Environment

20.13 Conclusion

The levels of POPs in the arctic environment are generally lower than found in more temperate regions. The present article shows that, while the levels of some POPs are decreasing (e.g., PCBs and DDTs), the levels of other POPs (brominated flame retardants and fluorinated) are increasing in the arctic animals. The main reason for this increase is the increase in the global production and use of these contaminants. The POP levels found in polar bears and glaucous gulls from these areas exceed the effect thresholds as demonstrated by laboratory and field studies, which indicate present POP level influence behavioural-, biochemical-, physiological- and immunological parameters. Today there is enough evidence to suggest that the contaminant levels affect the health of polar bears and glaucous gulls from Svalbard and Bjørnøya. Further monitoring and research is needed to get a better understanding of the relationship between POP exposure and biological effects in arctic animals.

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  1. Norwegian Polar Institute, Hjalmar Johansensgt. 14, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway

    Geir Wing Gabrielsen

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  1. Geir Wing Gabrielsen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Polar Institute, Svalbard, P.O.Box 505, 9171, Longyearbyen, Norway

    Jon Børre Ørbæk

  2. Polar Environmental Centre, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 9296, Tromsø, Norway

    Roland Kallenborn

  3. Polar Environmental Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 9296, Tromsø, Norway

    Ingunn Tombre

  4. Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø, Breivika, 9037, Tromsø, Norway

    Else N. Hegseth

  5. Polar Environmental Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, 9296, Tromsø, Norway

    Stig Falk-Petersen

  6. Department of Political Science, University of Tromsø, Breivika, 9037, Tromsø, Norway

    Alf H. Hoel

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Gabrielsen, G.W. (2007). Levels and effects of persistent organic pollutants in arctic animals. In: Ørbæk, J.B., Kallenborn, R., Tombre, I., Hegseth, E.N., Falk-Petersen, S., Hoel, A.H. (eds) Arctic Alpine Ecosystems and People in a Changing Environment. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-48514-8_20

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