OCEAN 320 Exam 1
Which of the following is false about PCBs?
a) Whales, and dolphins store PCBs in their blubber
b) Marine animals are well equipped to handle PCBs
c) Cancerous tumors are becoming a product of ingesting PCBs
d) Mass die offs may be caused by PCB's
The decline in the killer whale population in Puget Sound demonstrates they are:
A) negatively effected by climate change.
B) killed and sold for sport.
C) the most PCB contaminated marine mammals in the world.
D) over fished to feed increasing levels of human population.
In reference to the assigned Youtube video "PCBs in Whales", Peter Ross of the
Department of Fisheries & Oceans, Canada explains the negative effect of PCBs on
marine life.
How have PCBs and PBDEs made their way into Pacific Ocean trenches? (More than
one possible answer).
A) Contaminated plastic debris
B) Boat and other vessel pollution
C) Dead animals sinking to the ocean floor
D) Greenhouse gases
E) Industrial accidents and discharge from landfills
Summary of PCBs and the threat they pose to marine mammals Article, Author Paul
Rincon. PCBs and PBDEs first get into the environment though industrial accidents and
discharge from landfills and are unable to be broken down. They then make their way
into Pacific Ocean trenches through contaminated plastic debris and dead animals
sinking to the sea floor. These toxins are then consumed by deep sea creatures and
remain in the food chain.
What are the three general categories of chemical that are a particular concern in the
marine environment:
I. Oil
II. Biotoxins
III. Toxic Metals
IV Persisent Organic Pollutants
V. Caustics