Arctic Birds and Pollution: How Climate Change Might Affect Their Future

The Arctic is warming up at a much faster pace than the rest of the world. This rapid change brings many challenges. One of the lesser-known issues is the impact on pollution levels in Arctic seabirds. These birds face a double whammy: climate change and lingering pollutants from the past. One such pollutant is PCB-153, a type of chemical that was widely used in the past. It is still present in the Arctic today. A recent study looked into how climate change might affect the levels of PCB-153 in three types of seabirds: common eiders, black-legged kittiwakes, and glaucous gulls. The study also included blue mussels, which are filter feeders. The researchers used a model called the Nested Exposure Model (NEM) to make their predictions. This model has been used before, but this time it was expanded to include these specific seabirds and mussels. The model was tested using real data from seabirds in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, and mussels along the northern Norwegian coast. The results were promising. The model was able to accurately predict the levels of PCB-153 in the seabirds. This means it can be a useful tool for understanding how these chemicals build up in the birds' bodies over time. The study made some interesting predictions about the future. By the year 2100, the levels of PCB-153 in seabirds are expected to be 99% lower than they were in the year 2000. This is a significant drop. However, the study also looked at how climate change might affect the birds' diets and fat levels. Surprisingly, these changes had a much smaller impact on PCB-153 levels than the overall decrease in emissions. This study shows that models like NEM can be very useful. They can help scientists understand how multiple factors, like climate change and pollution, affect Arctic seabirds. This knowledge is crucial for protecting these birds and their habitats in the face of rapid environmental changes. It is important to note that while the model predicts a significant decrease in PCB-153 levels, it does not account for all possible variables. Real-world conditions can be complex and unpredictable. Therefore, continued monitoring and research are essential to ensure the accuracy of these predictions and the health of Arctic seabirds.