Biomagnification
Biomagnification
Biomagnification (pronunciation: /ˌbaɪoʊˌmæɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/), also known as bioamplification or biological magnification, is the increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.
Etymology
The term "biomagnification" is derived from the prefix "bio-" (from the Greek "bios" meaning "life") and the Latin "magnificare" (meaning "to magnify"). It was first used in the mid-20th century to describe the accumulation of DDT and other pesticides in birds of prey.
Process
Biomagnification starts when an environmental pollutant, such as mercury, is absorbed by an organism at the bottom of the food chain. This organism is then eaten by a larger organism, which absorbs the pollutant. This process continues up the food chain, with each successive organism absorbing more of the pollutant. As a result, the highest levels of the food chain, such as predatory birds and mammals, can have pollutant levels millions of times higher than the environment in which they live.
Related Terms
- Bioaccumulation: The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other chemicals in an organism.
- Trophic level: The position an organism occupies in a food chain.
- Food web: A system of interlocking and interdependent food chains.
Impacts
Biomagnification can have serious impacts on ecosystems and human health. High levels of pollutants can cause reproductive and developmental problems in wildlife, and can be harmful or even fatal to humans who consume contaminated food.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biomagnification
- Wikipedia's article - Biomagnification
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