Context
The orcas or killer whales edge of extinction because of chemical contaminants released by human activities.
About Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Chemical substances (carbon-based) that persist in the environment.
- Sources: Pesticides, industrial chemicals, or by-products of industrial processes.
- Resistant to Degradation: Resist photolytic, biological, and chemical degradation (e.g., Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor).
- Key Properties
- Halogenated Compounds: Often halogenated with low water solubility.
- Lipid Solubility: Highly lipid-soluble, facilitating bioaccumulation in living organisms.
- Semi-Volatile: Capable of long-distance transport through air before deposition.
- Impacts
- Health Effects: Linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, asthma, and thyroid disease.
- Endocrine Disruption: Affects hormonal balance, causing long-term health risks.
Stockholm Convention on POPs
- Objective: Legally binding international treaty aimed at reducing or eliminating POPs.
- Adoption: 2001, entered into force in 2004.
- India’s Participation: Ratified in 2006.
- National Regulation: Governed by Regulation of POP Rules, 2018 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Financial Mechanism: Global Environment Facility (GEF) acts as the interim funding body.
Orca Case Study: Symbol of POPs Impact
- Contamination: High levels of POPs, particularly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in orca blubber.
- PCBs: Used as coolants and lubricants, banned in the US and Canada 50 years ago, but still persist in the environment.
- Effects on Orcas
- Bioaccumulation: POPs accumulate in apex predators like orcas, impacting their immune systems, endocrine functions, growth, and reproduction.
- Maternal Transfer: POPs bind to fat and are passed to calves through milk.
- Population Decline: Current PCB levels may result in the loss of half the orca populations within 30–50 years.
Source: DTE
Previous Year Question
“Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Database created by coalition of research organisations
(b) Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
(c) Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
(d) Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank
Answer: (a)