[va-richmond-general] Re: Dangerous droppings!

Folks: Please read the article in Science before jumping to conclusions. This study is of major importance in that it shows a previously-undescribed pathway for transfer and biomagnification of toxic substances. Fulmars forage up to 400 km from their breeding colony; it seems that they are picking up contaminants such as DDT and mercury from their food; because they nest in extremely dense colonies, these toxins accumulate in their droppings. What this study shows is that the classic route of transfer via atmospheric air currents and bioconcentration in animal tissues is not the only way these toxins can accumulate!. DDT was banned in the US decades ago; however it is frighteningly persistent in the environment, and of course the US continued to sell it to developing countries for decades after the ban. DDT is still recommended by WHO - and used- for control of malarial mosquitoes in countries where malaria is endemic. Mercury is a significant emission from coal fired industrial plants. The US continues to refuse to ratify treaties like Rio - and was still baulking during the last G8 meeting - because environmental safeguards and pollution controls might "harm our economic growth". If anything this study shows that the Arctic is MORE fragile than we thought and that mere geographical distance from industrial centers is absolutely no safeguard against pollution. If anything, this study should give the Audubon Society MORE leverage for pushing the current White House adminstration to put environmental safeguards in place (what am I thinking?). What would be of interest from a biologist's point of view is a study of breeding success of the colonies over the last 30 years; one might expect a decline related to DDT and mercury poisoning. PSR

    ----- Original Message -----
    *From:* Michael Shapiro <mailto:sc.tanager@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    *To: *va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    <mailto:va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    *Sent:* 7/18/2005 5:59:05 PM
    *Subject:* [va-richmond-general] Re: Dangerous droppings!

>> *Artic Pollution*
** First if all, it seems someone at NPR can't spell. ANWR has
been in the news so often in the last few years that they should
know it's arCtic, not artic. I wonder who their spellchecker is -
Dan Quayle?
Second, this seems awfully fishy if you ask me. Dare I say
that the story/concept is full of sh**?? This reminds me of when
the Reagan administration claimed that cows passing gas were a (if
not the) major source of pollution in this country (or was it out
west?) - all that methane, you know. This is yet another attempt
by FODI (Friend's o' Dubyuh, Incorporated) to try and convince
people drilling in ANWR won't be so bad.
Michael
Short Pump


        ----- Original Message -----
        *From:* IE Ries <mailto:featherchaser@xxxxxxxxxx>
        *To:* RAS <mailto:va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
        *Sent:* Sunday, July 17, 2005 9:34 PM
        *Subject:* [va-richmond-general] Dangerous droppings!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4758128
*Research: Bird Droppings Major Source of Artic Pollution*

Listen to this story... <javascript:getMedia('ATC',
'17-Jul-2005', '6', 'RM,WM');> by John Nielsen
<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100962> 

            /All Things Considered
            <http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=2>,
            /July 17, 2005 · Seabird droppings -- not particles
            carried by the winds -- are the major source of pollutants
            in some parts of the Arctic. This discovery could lead to
            a better understanding of global pollution patterns.






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