Water pollution is a serious problem worldwide that affects all organisms. The highly contaminated water in the New Bedford Harbor located in Massachusetts contains polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metal, a result from the heavy trafficking of ships. Normally, when an organism is introduced to high amounts of harmful chemicals, the organism will produce enzymes called AHR2 to break down the chemicals. What is unusual about the killifish is that this particular species' AHR2 has become resistant to the effects of the chemicals, so it no longer reacts.
The hypothesis of killifish surviving because of their resistance to the harmful chemicals has been tested by colleagues from the Atlantic Ecology Division of the U.S. Enviornmental Protection Agency, the Boston University School of Public Health, and the University of North Carolina and Charlotte. These experienced scientists used six different types of killifish found along the northeast coast and tested them for differences in DNA and AHR2. They did find differences, proving the fish have acquired these traits early on in life.
This topic is very interesting to me because I have learned about water pollution and the affects it has on an ecosystem. In eighth grade I participated in World Savvy, and the project I worked on competed in the state wide competition. It is amazing to me that these fish are able to live in a environment like that, let alone reproduce and thrive. This article also proves the importance of humans on an ecosystem, whether that be good or bad. Do you think more species will adapt to environmental changes made by humans?
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