Ways that humans and wildlife may be affected by the contaminated sediment

Biological uptake is the process by which a living organism incorporates substances from non-living material into the living tissue.

This illustration of Whitby Harbour shows from left to right:

1. Benthic invertebrates – biological uptake by organisms that live in and on the sediment
2. Fish – biological uptake of chemicals after eating invertebrates
3. Birds and mammals – uptake of chemicals after eating invertebrates and birds
4. People – direct contact with sediment when wading or swimming; accidental ingestion of sediment; eating fish caught from the site that have increased levels of chemicals in their bodies