Plunge into the depths of our oceans to uncover the hidden dangers of chemical pollution. From pesticides to heavy metals, we’ll explore how these pollutants threaten both wildlife and human health. Discover the urgent need for environmental action.

Chemical pollution is the contamination of an environment, including air, water, and soil, by harmful synthetic substances. These substances can include pesticides, heavy metals, industrial chemicals, and other toxic compounds that adversely affect human health, wildlife, and ecosystems.

As stated in the image above, these chemicals build up in the bodies of marine life, such as in their fatty tissues.

The emergence of diseases in marine plants and mammals has increased. “Marine mammals are described as prime sentinels because many species have long life spans, are long-term coastal residents, feed in large quantities and have large blubber stores that can serve as depots for anthropogenic chemicals and toxins” (Bossart, 2011). It is also important to consider that  “Since many marine mammal species share the coastal environment with humans and consume the same food, they also may serve as effective sentinels for public health problems” (Bossart, 2010). For example, Bottlenose dolphins, due to their widespread coastal distribution and role as apex predators, are important sentinel species for monitoring trends in contaminants. These contaminants have been associated with health effects in marine mammals, such as increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, immunosuppression (weakened immune system), reproductive impairment, endocrine disruption, and neoplasia (uncontrollable and abnormal growth of cells that results in the formation of tumors). 

Moreover, Beluga whales from the St. Lawrence estuary are extensively studied with carcinogenic contaminants (chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial byproducts) and are suspected as a cause for the high prevalence of tumors(Bossart, 2011). Furthermore, interactions between mercury and selenium may play a role in cardiomyopathy (diseases that affect the heart muscle, leading to abnormalities in its structure and function) which are also seen in pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Bossart, 2011).

This shows the long-term effects of the chemicals we humans are exposed to on a daily. Aside from chemical pollutants affecting the health of marine animals, it in turn affect humans as well. Eventually, we consume these contaminated fish and ingest the very chemicals that have built up in their systems. This is reflected on to our very health.

The accumulation of chemicals in the bodies of marine life, as highlighted above, presents a concerning reality with far-reaching implications. The evidence points to a significant impact on marine plant and mammal health, manifesting in increased disease prevalence and various health complications, from immunosuppression to reproductive impairment and even cancer. Notably, marine mammals, such as bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales, serve as crucial sentinels for monitoring environmental health due to their role as apex predators and their physiological susceptibility to these contaminants.

Importantly, the repercussions extend beyond marine ecosystems, as humans ultimately become exposed to these same chemicals through the consumption of contaminated seafood. This underscores the interconnectedness of environmental and human health, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the release of harmful pollutants into our oceans. Only through concerted efforts to reduce anthropogenic impacts can we safeguard both marine life and human well-being for generations to come.