Cone, Marla,
Bear Trouble. Marla Cone. - Smithsonian, 2003. - SIRS Enduring Issues 2004. Article 48, Environment, 1522-3205; .
Articles Contained in SIRS Enduring Issues 2004. Originally Published: Bear Trouble, April 2003; pp. 68-74.
"Carved by harsh winds and ancient glaciers and marked by jagged mountains and fjords, Svalbard, Norway, comprises a group of islands 650 miles inside the Arctic Circle, closer to the North Pole than to Oslo. One of the last true wildernesses, Svalbard is also one of the world's most important polar bear nurseries, though the place is so unforgiving that even under the best conditions many cubs die of starvation. Yet it is a man-made threat that now imperils the bears. Despite living in remote reaches of the Arctic, Svalbard's bears carry higher doses of some industrial chemicals than nearly any other wild animal tested. And scientists increasingly suspect that the chemicals--especially polychlorinated biphenyl compounds, or PCBs--are harming the bears, perhaps jeopardizing their survival." (SMITHSONIAN) This article presents the harmful effects of PCBs, noting that "Norwegian and Canadian scientists have recently linked a variety of effects" in polar bears to PCBs "including alterations in immune cells, antibodies, retinol, thyroid hormones, testosterone and progesterone."
1522-3205;
Animal populations
Animal specialists
Environmental toxicology
Polar bear
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Wildlife research
Arctic regions
AC1.S5
050
Bear Trouble. Marla Cone. - Smithsonian, 2003. - SIRS Enduring Issues 2004. Article 48, Environment, 1522-3205; .
Articles Contained in SIRS Enduring Issues 2004. Originally Published: Bear Trouble, April 2003; pp. 68-74.
"Carved by harsh winds and ancient glaciers and marked by jagged mountains and fjords, Svalbard, Norway, comprises a group of islands 650 miles inside the Arctic Circle, closer to the North Pole than to Oslo. One of the last true wildernesses, Svalbard is also one of the world's most important polar bear nurseries, though the place is so unforgiving that even under the best conditions many cubs die of starvation. Yet it is a man-made threat that now imperils the bears. Despite living in remote reaches of the Arctic, Svalbard's bears carry higher doses of some industrial chemicals than nearly any other wild animal tested. And scientists increasingly suspect that the chemicals--especially polychlorinated biphenyl compounds, or PCBs--are harming the bears, perhaps jeopardizing their survival." (SMITHSONIAN) This article presents the harmful effects of PCBs, noting that "Norwegian and Canadian scientists have recently linked a variety of effects" in polar bears to PCBs "including alterations in immune cells, antibodies, retinol, thyroid hormones, testosterone and progesterone."
1522-3205;
Animal populations
Animal specialists
Environmental toxicology
Polar bear
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Wildlife research
Arctic regions
AC1.S5
050