TOPIC 8.8-Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation:

absorption and concentration of elements or compounds by cells in \n a living organism. (typically fat soluble)

\n Biomagnification:

increase in concentration of substances per unit of body tissue that \n occurs in successively higher trophic levels of a food chain or in a food web

Consequences

\n Biomagnified substances can \n effect the environment \n • Ex. DDT thinned eggs of high level \n carnivores

\n Humans can have issues with \n various systems:

• Reproductive \n • Nervous \n • Circulatory