What is biomagnification ? How will a food chain get affected if pesticides are
not degraded ?
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Hello friends...
Biomagnification is a cumulative increase in the concentrations of a persistent substance (e.g. pesticides, metals, etc.) as it moves up the food chain. This occurs when agricultural, industrial, or human waste pours into the ocean directly or via rivers, sewage, etc. Some of the most dangerous of these toxins settle in the sediment of the sea floor and are consumed by bottom feeders.
With each step up the food chain, there is an increase in the concentration of these chemicals. This affects humans because a large percentage of the fish we consume are higher on the food chain and therefore likely to carry a high concentration of potentially harmful chemicals.
The contaminants include heavy metals namely mercury, arsenic, pesticides such as DDT, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) compounds, which are then taken up by organisms because of the food they consume or the intoxication of their environment.
Hope it helps you...
Biomagnification is a cumulative increase in the concentrations of a persistent substance (e.g. pesticides, metals, etc.) as it moves up the food chain. This occurs when agricultural, industrial, or human waste pours into the ocean directly or via rivers, sewage, etc. Some of the most dangerous of these toxins settle in the sediment of the sea floor and are consumed by bottom feeders.
With each step up the food chain, there is an increase in the concentration of these chemicals. This affects humans because a large percentage of the fish we consume are higher on the food chain and therefore likely to carry a high concentration of potentially harmful chemicals.
The contaminants include heavy metals namely mercury, arsenic, pesticides such as DDT, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) compounds, which are then taken up by organisms because of the food they consume or the intoxication of their environment.
Hope it helps you...
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