bioaccumulation
Pollutants collecting inside
Bioaccumulation is the gradual buildup of substances in an organism's tissues over time, typically faster than the organism can eliminate them.
The term usually refers to toxins or pollutants—pesticides, heavy metals, microplastics—that concentrate as they move up the food chain: Mercury bioaccumulation makes large predatory fish unsafe to eat frequently.
Related to biomagnification, which emphasizes increasing concentrations at each trophic level.
Liquid metallic element
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- cadmiumElement forty-eight
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- DDTBanned chlorinated insecticide
PCBs · heavy metals · pesticide residues · industrial waste · dioxins · microplastics · methylmercury · selenium
Absorption or understanding
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- sequestrationAct of setting apart
- lipophilicAttracted to fatty substances
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
chronic exposure · fat-soluble · depuration · metabolism · excretion · binding · partitioning · retention
Dominant hunters, no natural enemies
- secondary consumersOrganisms eating primary consumers
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
- filter feedersOrganisms sieving food from water
predatory fish · prey · herbivores · carnivores · detritivores · forage fish · piscivores · raptors
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
- sentinel speciesSpecies signaling ecosystem changes
- toxicologyScience of poisons
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
mercury
Liquid metallic element
DDT · PCBs · heavy metals · pesticide residues · industrial waste · dioxins · microplastics · methylmercury · selenium · flame retardants
uptake
Absorption or understanding
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- sequestrationAct of setting apart
- lipophilicAttracted to fatty substances
half-life · chronic exposure · fat-soluble · depuration · metabolism · excretion · binding · partitioning · retention
apex predators
Dominant hunters, no natural enemies
- secondary consumersOrganisms eating primary consumers
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
filter feeders · predatory fish · prey · herbivores · carnivores · detritivores · forage fish · piscivores · raptors · marine mammals
tissue sampling
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
- sentinel speciesSpecies signaling ecosystem changes
- toxicologyScience of poisons
risk assessment · dose-response · bioindicators · water quality
tuna
Large edible ocean fish
- swordfishFish with blade-like bill
- sharkCartilaginous marine predator
- bald eagleWhite-headed North American raptor
osprey · pelican · seal · polar bear · dolphin · orca · oyster · mussel · clam · salmon
- environmental harmair pollution, water pollution, pollution, oil spills, acid rain
- environmental scienceecology, air quality, ecosystem, water quality, ecosystems
- bio-biography, biodegradable, biofuel, biochemistry, biotech
- ocean pollutionoil spills, plastic pollution, marine debris, plastic waste, toxic waste
- Toxicspoison, poisons, toxins, toxicity, carcinogens
- food websfood web, food chain, food chains, producer, consumer
bioaccumulationelimination
Act of removing entirely
excretion · biodegradation · detoxification · clearance · depuration
bioaccumulationdissipation
Gradual loss or scattering
attenuation · dilution · degradation · dispersion · decomposition