Marine Environment San Francisco Essay - 1,149 words

... s discovered that both species (feline and human) were suffering from acute mercury poisoning brought about by contaminated fish (Simon 51). Added research revealed that the consumption of contaminated fish and shrimp were ensuing culprits. Anthony Tucker, a scientist helping with the research explained, Anyone who eats one normal fish a day contaminated by toxins will most certainly be disabled and more than likely die (Simon 51). @ Likewise, biologist Gregory Kansas a member of Citizens For a Better Environment, also recognizes the severe consequences of the toxic food chain, Axis and shellfish that have absorbed toxins can indirectly pass the contaminants to humans. Birds migrating from Central America and the Arctic Circle, for example, make a stopover in San Francisco = s wetlands, where they feast on clams and mussels that contain high concentrations of cadmium, mercury, and lead. The birds become so polluted that there is a risk from eating the ducks from the South Bay of San Francisco (Toufexis 48) @.


Also, state officials in New York have warned against eating more than half a pound of Bluefish a week, and to never eat the striped bass caught off of long island (Toufexis 48). The New England regional administrator for EPA has also been quoted on the distraught of toxic contaminated seafood, Anyone who eats the liver from a lobster taken from an urban area in New England is living dangerously (Toufexis 48). Similarly on the west coast of the United States, the sale of mackerel has been outlawed. Research has revealed impermissible human consumption of this species of Mackerel due to highly excessive amounts of toxic DDT = s found in the fish = s flesh and tissue (Goldberg 11). Unfortunatly, the other side effects of toxins are beginning to appear worldwide. Scientists have recently noticed an increasing rate of mortality in marine mammals, dolphins, harbor seals, and sea lions just to name a few.


In June of 1988 over one hundred sea lions had been diagnosed as suffering from Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease affecting the kidneys (Barinaga 8). Because of the outbreak being local, to a region where there is oil exploration, the center has involved the EPA to investigate whether the symptoms are associated with the high levels of metal toxins polluted in that area (Barinaga 8). During the same month of that year (June 89), residents on the Danish island of Anhalt have witnessed a shocking shore-washing of more than one-hundred and fifty dead or dying North Sea seals (Time 45). Scientists there are under the strong impression that the seals immune systems may have been weakened by chemical pollutants in the water, making them suspect able to various types of viruses (Time 45).


Even more horrific, was the direct effect of chemicals on surfers of Northern California = s Humboldt Bay. The local surfers there began complaining of sinus infections as well as sore throats and skin rashes. After a short investigation, it turned out to be the result of untreated toxic chemicals dumped into the ocean by nearby pulp mills. The regional EPA then tested the level of toxicity upon sea urchin sperm and eggs; fertilization was halted. The EPA then immediately stopped the dumping, placed healthy fines upon the paper mills and set new regulations for treatment as well (Shao 38). As described by H.


V. Thurman and H. M. Webber, authors of the textbook M ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: plastic, one hundred, pollution, san francisco, marine environment

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