Dicussion Post Number 1 Week 6 PDF

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Discussion post week 6...

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Hello All,

Find an article on bioaccumulation or biomagnification of conventionally used agricultural agents in species and human consumers (if you can) and summarize your findings! Don't forget to document your sources. What is your conclusion?

The article I found was related to bioaccumulation in general but it specifically references DDT. DDT is common example used when one discusses environmental contamination because it is such a perfect example and it was fairly recent in history. The wide spread and rampant use of DDT as an agricultural pesticide had drastic effects on the environment which subsequently hurt wildlife; most notably the bald eagle which was nearly driven to extinction by the use of the chemical. The concept of bioaccumulation in agriculture is quite simple really. “The process of bioaccumulation starts when pesticides applied to agricultural land runoff during storms into rivers, streams and eventually the ocean” (Malburg, 2010). Farmers use additives and pesticides to yield more bountiful crops. Water runoff from these farms contains these chemicals and that runoff eventually finds its way into water sources. Water is perhaps the most necessary element for life, all life requires it. It is even more universally needed than oxygen because some living organisms don’t need oxygen, but all need water. Thus, when water sources are contaminated it ultimately hurts the interest of all life. Animals that consume this tainted water, if not immediately killed by the contamination, eventually fall as prey to larger animals where the chemical yield is magnified in biomagnification. Whether humans receive the tainted water directly, eat animals that have direct exposure like fish, or eat

prey animals that have biomagnified levels of toxins the result can be deadly. Toxins can result in genetic mutation or disease; they can also lead to death. My conclusion is that the current state of the world has put the food industry in a catch 22. The current human population requires large amounts of food which require chemical use in agricultural processes. However, the use of those chemicals hurt life in general by causing disease and death, most condemningly in the human population. To avoid disease one must avoid food and water which might be contaminated with toxins.

Malburg, S. (2010). Pesticides in Fish and Water and the Effects of Bioaccumulation. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/environment/scienceenvironmental/articles/62046.aspx

-Gary...