Snow at Highest Elevations No Longer Pure

[Divine Discontent]

Source: LiveScience.com/Yahoo

The pure white snow atop the Andes Mountains may not be so pure after all. Scientists have found traces of toxic pollutants called PCBs in snow samples taken from Aconcagua Mountain, the highest peak in the Americas.

While the overall PCB levels were quite low, the results show that these long-lasting contaminants, notorious for causing myriad health problems, can end up at altitudes as high as 20,340 feet (6,200 meters), making their way through the atmosphere to these remote areas.

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, break down slowly, and as a result, can last for many years in the environment. They can be transported through the air long distances, and have been found in mountain ranges in Europe and Canada, as well as the Arctic.

PCB traps

The researchers say that mountain ranges may act as "traps" for PCBs. In addition, they figure climate change could lead to the spread of such pollutants.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20091210/sc_livescience/snowathighestelevationsnolongerpure

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nice.... really nice.

[marmar]

1. Our Toxic Earth......

:cry:

[Deep13]

2. Rec. for posting it. Unrec. for the shitty facts described in the report.

:(

[WriteDown]

3. The good news is that PCB's do not cause global warming....

Therefore, there is not much to worry about.

[AlphaCentauri]

6. depends on its density n/t

[slackmaster]

4. Snow all over the world has been contaminated with heavy metals, soot, and toxins for a long time

Ever since people began burning large amounts of coal, i.e. the Industrial Revolution starting in the 18th Century.

[Bryn]

5. That's bad

:-(

[valerief]

7. Live by the plastic, die by the plastic. nt

[Deja Q]

11. One word:

Plastics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSxihhBzCjk

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. horrible

[Deja Q]

12. Agreed

[Bozita]

9. Damn near all the fish contain measurable mercury and now PCBs in snow at 20,000 ft?

No depth too deep; no height too high.

[Deja Q]

10. Gee, can't Frosty the Snowman emcee a purity ball or something?

:yoiks: