Sense Question:

Climate change may alter the fate, behaviour and exposure of organisms to environmental pollutants. What are the effects of these altered contaminant levels on organisms in the environment, and ultimately, humans? (Drs. S. v. Leeuwen & Dr J. Leger, IVM)

Relevance of this question:

Climate change has serious implications for air, soil and water quality in terms of environmental pollutant exposure. Changes in atmospheric sea-level pressure, wind fields, sea-ice drift, ice cover, length of melt season, precipitation patterns, hydrology,ocean currents and watermass distribution will alter pollutant pathways. Higher water temperatures and changes in the timing, intensity, and duration of precipitation can affect water quality. Where streamflow and lake levels fall, there will be increased concentrations of pollutants.Furthermore, due to increased frequency and intensity of rainfall flood magnitudes and frequencies will very likely increase in most regions. This will result in altered pollutant mobility and in large volumes of water which can transport pollutants into water bodies, or the introduction of waterborne pollutants to soils. This will affect organisms in the environment, and ultimately, humans.