Summary: The Atlantic Tomcod, found on the bottom of the Hudson River, were found to have a genetic mutation. This mutation allows the fish to live in the Hudson and not be effected by PCB's (polychlorinated byphenils). If these fish did not have this rare mutation their species would probably been extinct by now. Their adaptation to the chemicals in the water was fast compared to most evolutions.
Reaction: I thought it was really cool how these tiny bottom feeders learned to adapt so fast. The chemical was only introduced to the Hudson in 1947. I personally thought adaptations took longer to occur in most species.
1. Do you think it is wrong for company's to be dumping chemicals into rivers like the Hudson? Why?
2. Why do you think these fish developed the gene mutation so quickly?
3. What are the consequences of having these chemicals dumped into our rivers?
1. Yes, I think it is wrong for dumping chemicals into rivers. This is because most species do not have the same ability as the Atlantic Tomcod and cannot make fast adaptations.
ReplyDelete2. Personally I do not think there is a specific reason why they mutated so fast. It definitely worked in the Tomcod's favor, but we can not expect this to happen to all species.
3. If chemicals continue to get dumped into the rives, it is going to cause many species to become endangered.
Are there programs working against dumping chemicals in rivers? Are there any other species that mutate just as fast? If there was a different chemical in the Hudson, would the Tomcods adapt to it too?
1. Yes, They don't own the rivers. It is public property and anyone could touch these products and be harmed.
ReplyDelete2. I personally do not have a clue. They might have had some sort of genetic altering that allowed them to change at will.
3. The consequences are that people can get killed and many organisms. This is not a good thing and companies should be fined or sued for doing this.
Are any organizations working to stop this? Is it only the fish that have mutated? How has this chemical affected the organisms in other areas?
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ReplyDelete1)Yes it is wrong because even though this specific species of fish adapted quickly other species are still affected by the toxins. The Atlantic Tomcod is one lucky species out of probably hundreds that inhabit the Hudson.
ReplyDelete2) The fish developed this mutation because that is how their genetic make-up works. They have the ability to evolve quickly.
3)They can disrupt the ecosystem and make it harder to have access to fresh water.
Have other organisms adapted to the chemical or just died off? Are any of the companies trying to get rid of their chemicals another way? If the river was cleaned and the chemicals were removed would the Tomcod readapt?
1) I think it is very wrong because fish are very important to their ecosystem and they provide food for humans so it should be illegal to dump chemicals in rivers.
ReplyDelete2)They most likely have a high reproductive rate.
3)The consequences are dangerous, many fish could go extinct which affects the rest of the ecosystem in a big way.