Search

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been widely used as pesticides and/or industrial chemicals. Because most POPs are persistent, toxic and bioaccumulative, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has implemented an approach to reduce/eliminate these substances. A set of 12 POPs have been targeted for global restriction of production/use under Stockholm Convention. The 12 POPs are: aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, dichlorodiphenyltrichoroethanes, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, chlordane, toxaphene, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, and mirex. Predatory waterbirds are susceptible to bioaccumulation of POPs through the ingestion of contaminated food sources. They are long-lived and top trophic-level animals in the food web, consequently they are able to integrate pollutant levels over a broad area by bioaccumulation. Thus, they can serve as useful bioindicators for environmental monitoring. This report reviews the relevant literature on the environmental levels and biological effects of the 12 priority POPs, listed under the Stockholm Convention, to waterbirds. Particular attention will be given to the pollution status of POPs in Hong Kong, their threats to waterbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]