2.4 - persistent organic pollutants, bio magnification and accumulation, maximum sustainable yield,

pollution

the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

pollutants

substances that cause harm to the environment and human health, often persistent in nature.

• biodegradable

• non-biodegradable

non-biodegradable pollutants

• PCBs

  • industrial chemical used in electrical equipment

  • highly persistent and toxic

• DDT

  • pesticide

• Mercury

  • heavy metal released from industrial processes

  • highly toxic

pros/ cons of banning of DDT after Silent Spring

+bio-accumulation and bio-magnification have been avoided

-effectively killed malarial mosquitoes, and the ban prevented that

persistent organic (carbon containing) pollutants POPs

harmful chemicals that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms, and pose risks to human health and ecosystems.

bio-accumulation

increase in the concentration of chemical or POP in a biological organism’s tissue over time

bio-magnification

the increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms’ tissues at successively higher levels of the food chain.

maximum sustainable yield MSY

the largest yield that can be taken from a specific biological resource over time without impairing the resource's ability to regenerate

MSY formula

MSY = ½ K

K → carrying capacity