Bioaccumulation

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing bioaccumulation and biomagnification concepts.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of a substance in an organism at one single level in the food chain.

Parts Per Million (ppm)

A unit of measurement for bioaccumulation, referring to one particle of a substance mixed with 999,999 other particles.

Organismal Bioaccumulation

The concentration of compounds in an organism's body over time from its environment.

Trophic Transfer

The transfer of an accumulated substance from one trophic level to another in a food chain.

Soil Accumulation

The binding of toxic substances to soil particles, persisting until removed through erosion or uptake by plants/microorganisms.

Hydrophobicity

A factor affecting bioaccumulation; the tendency of a substance to repel water, influencing its storage and elimination.

Biomagnification

The increase in concentration of non-biodegradable chemicals as you move up the food chain.

DDT

An insecticide used in WWII, later banned in the US in 1972 due to its harmful effects on ecosystems.

Methylmercury

A highly toxic compound converted from mercury in waterways that bioaccumulates in the brain, heart, and kidneys.