Question

Briefly describe how harmful chemicals undergo biological magnification?

Answer 1

Biological magnification:

1. It is a phenomenon describing the increase in the concentration of harmful fertilizers and pesticides at each trophic level.

The process of biological magnification:

1. The process begins with the discharge of hazardous chemicals and pollutants into the environment, which eventually works their way into soils, rivers or lakes, and the seas. It is seen mostly in cases of DDT pollution in water.
2. Small plants that are known as phytoplankton that float in the sea absorb pollutants. Toxins are absorbed and remain in the body's tissues without being eliminated or broken down.
3. Small marine invertebrates that float in the seas are referred to as zooplankton. They eat the phytoplankton and absorb the poison as a result.
4. The fertilizer DDT is ingested by the small fishes that have consumed zooplankton, they have an approximate concentration of 10 ppm(parts per million) of DDT.
5. Now, the large fishes consume at least 10 of those small fishes leading to a concentration of 100 ppm of DDT in them.
6. When enormous fish are consumed, the species at the top of the food chain, such as dolphins, sea birds, and humans, gradually accumulate poisons in their tissues, such as their liver. The concentrations reach the highest ranges of 10,000 to 15,000 parts per billion in this area. Because the outcomes interfere with the normal functioning of essential organs, the animals' fertility is affected, and they are more susceptible to infections.
7. As DDT is not biodegradable, its concentration goes increasing leading to intoxication.

This is the generalized process of biological magnification.