Biomagnification

Biomagnification

Bio-magnification in a pond ecosystem

The build up of toxins in a food chain

Biomagnification, 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. This phenomenon is a concern for both ecological and human health reasons, as it can lead to high concentrations of toxins in species, including humans, at the top of the food chain.

Overview

Biomagnification occurs when a pollutant, such as heavy metals (like mercury or lead), pesticides (such as DDT), or other organic pollutants, is absorbed by an organism but is not metabolized or excreted. This leads to a higher concentration of the pollutant in the organism than in its food sources. When a predator eats many of these contaminated organisms, the pollutant is concentrated further, and so on up the food chain.

Mechanism

The process of biomagnification starts with the contamination of the lowest levels of the food chain, typically plankton in aquatic ecosystems or insects in terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms absorb pollutants from their environment, which can be water, soil, or air. The pollutants can enter the environment through various means, including agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urban runoff.

As larger animals eat these contaminated organisms, the toxins accumulate in their bodies. Because these toxins are often stored in fat tissues and are not easily metabolized or excreted, their concentration increases in the bodies of organisms at each successive trophic level of the food chain.

Examples

One of the most well-known examples of biomagnification is the accumulation of DDT, a pesticide, in bird populations. DDT led to the thinning of eggshells, which significantly decreased bird populations, notably in birds of prey like the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon.

Another example is the accumulation of mercury in fish. Mercury released into the environment can transform into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that accumulates in aquatic organisms. Large fish, such as tuna and swordfish, can have mercury concentrations millions of times higher than the surrounding water because of biomagnification.

Implications

The implications of biomagnification are significant for both wildlife and human health. High concentrations of toxic substances can lead to decreased fertility, genetic defects, and death in wildlife populations. For humans, consuming contaminated fish and wildlife can lead to health issues, including neurological damage and developmental problems in children.

Prevention and Control

Preventing and controlling biomagnification involves reducing the release of harmful substances into the environment, cleaning up contaminated environments, and monitoring and regulating the levels of pollutants in the environment and in wildlife.

See Also

• Bioaccumulation
• Food chain
• Ecotoxicology
• Environmental health