biomagnification & bioaccumulation

bioaccumulation

absorption and concentration of compounds (especially fat-soluble like POPs) in the cells and fat tissues of organisms

why do fat-soluble compounds stay in the body?

these compounds (like POPs) do not dissolve easily in water, or enter blood/urine easily to exit the body. instead, they build up in fat tissue and accumulate higher concentrations in an organism over time

biomagnification

increasing concentrations of fat-soluble compounds like POPs in each level up the trophic pyramid or food web/chain

\*\*note that as the level increases, each organism much consume more food which means it will biomagnify even faster

DDT

insecticide that still persists in sediments of many bodies of water, even though it has been banned in many developed nations → biomagnification

what are some of the most common harmful substances which are subject to biomagnification in aquatic environments?

DDT (sediments), POPs (persistant organic compounds, fat-soluble), mercury (fish, esp. predatory tuna)