8.8: Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation

Absorption and concentration of compounds in the cells and fat tissues of organism

B/c fat-soluble compounds like POPs and methlymercury don’t dissolve easily in water, what happens to their ability to leave the body

It doesn’t leave the body easily as urine is made mostly of water

Where do POPs and methlymercury buildup in?

fat tissue, which leads to higher concentrations overtime

Biomagnification

Increasing concentrations of fat-soluble compounds like methylmercury and POPs in each level up the tropic pyramid or food web/chain

What happens to the amount of POPs in an organism as we go higher in the trophic levels?

It increases because organisms at higher trophic levels need to eat more animals, which results in more POPs

What happens usually have the highest levels of POPs?

Apex predators

What effect did DDT have on predatory birds?

Thinning and breaking of eggshells, linked to massive pop. decline in bald eagles

What prompted the creation of the Endangered Species Act?

The decline of bald eagle populations due to DDT

How is mercury produced?

Burning of coal and by volcanoes.

How is methylmercury formed?

When mercury is carried by wind and deposited into water, bacteria convert this mercury into methylmercury

How can methylmercury be harmful?

It is a neurotoxicant and can damage the central nervous system

How are humans exposed to methylmercury?

they are exposed from them eating large predatory fish like tuna and salmon

How is methylmercury harmful to humans?

Damages the nervous and reproductive system