For several years, it has been known that polar bears are in danger since human pollution has inevitably affected their habitat. Therefore, scientists have endeavored to analyze their situation in depth: what is the central factor affecting this population? What are the alternatives to solve their extinction? among other questions?
Several studies indicate that plastic pollution, climate change, and chemicals in pesticides are three of the main problems facing the survival of various species. This is because these three elements directly and indirectly affect their endocrine and reproductive systems. Therefore, polar bears have been classified as one of the most vulnerable mammals (on the verge of saying “endangered”) on the planet. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) explains that although climate change is one of the main red flags, other factors contribute to the significant decline of polar bears.
Primary Contaminants in the Habitat of Polar Bears
Maria Jesús Obregón, author of the research, asserts that the health of the polar bear is being attacked from all sides, including exposure to environmental contaminants floating in the water in the form of microplastics. These microplastics, in the process of disintegrating, are composed of synthetic tissues derived from beauty or cleaning products. They are toxic substances with high levels of toxins that alter the lifestyle of polar bears. The consequences are evident: starvation, stress, exposure to toxins, diseases, and problems derived from climate change.
The research is in its early stages, however, researchers hope to obtain tools that will help provide more information to conserve this indispensable species in the food chain.
This story was originally published in Spanish in Ecoosfera.
