What do you know about the phenomenon of Biomagnification and Bioaccumulation? Biomagnification is the accumulation of a chemical by an organism from water and food exposure that results in a concentration that is greater than would have resulted from water exposure only and thus greater than expected from equilibrium. Biomagnification happens when toxic chemicals, like DDT, whose remains in the environment are consumed indirectly by organisms through food. Biomagnification occurs when slightly larger organisms called zooplankton feed upon the contaminated phytoplankton and in turn absorb POPs into their tissues at a higher concentration. Bioaccumulation is the process by which toxins enter the food web by building up in individual organisms, while Biomagnification is the process by which toxins are passed from one trophic level to the next (and thereby increase in concentration) within a food web. Bioaccumulation occurs when toxins build up - or accumulate - in a food chain. Bioaccumulation takes place in a single organism throughout its life, resulting in a higher concentration in older individuals. Biomagnification takes place as chemicals transfer from lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels within a food web, resulting in a higher concentration in apex predators.

Shivangi Ojha

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