biomagnify
Pollutants climb foodchains
Biomagnify describes how toxic substances become more concentrated as they move up a food chain.
Small organisms absorb pollutants like mercury or pesticides; larger predators accumulate higher doses by eating many contaminated prey: DDT biomagnified through the food chain until it thinned eagle eggshells.
The noun is biomagnification.
Banned chlorinated insecticide
- mercuryLiquid metallic element
- PCBsBanned synthetic toxins
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
cadmium · arsenic · dioxins · pesticides · methylmercury · industrial chemicals · flame retardants · microplastics
Dominant hunters, no natural enemies
- predatorsAnimals that kill prey
- preyAnimal being hunted
- herbivoresFauna consuming only plants
- carnivoresAnimals eating only meat
omnivores · secondary consumers · energy transfer · phytoplankton · zooplankton · algae · fish · birds
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- accumulationCollected mass over time
half-life · persistence · uptake · retention · sequestration
Harmful substance exposure
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- neurotoxinsPoisons targeting nervous systems
- carcinogensSubstances promoting tumor growth
- teratogensAgents causing fetal malformations
mutagens · reproductive harm · Minamata disease · chronic exposure · health effects
DDT
Banned chlorinated insecticide
- mercuryLiquid metallic element
- PCBsBanned synthetic toxins
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
lead · cadmium · arsenic · dioxins · pesticides · methylmercury · industrial chemicals · flame retardants · microplastics · PFAS
apex predators
Dominant hunters, no natural enemies
- predatorsAnimals that kill prey
- preyAnimal being hunted
- herbivoresFauna consuming only plants
carnivores · omnivores · secondary consumers · energy transfer · phytoplankton · zooplankton · algae · fish · birds · mammals
bioaccumulation
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
accumulation · half-life · persistence · uptake · retention · sequestration
poisoning
Harmful substance exposure
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- neurotoxinsPoisons targeting nervous systems
- carcinogensSubstances promoting tumor growth
teratogens · mutagens · reproductive harm · Minamata disease · chronic exposure · health effects
biomagnifymetabolize
Convert to energy
excrete · eliminate · break down · detoxify · biodegrade