Question

Define biomagnification.

Answer 1

Biological magnification is the process by which heavy metals and pesticides become more concentrated at higher trophic levels of food chain. Many pesticides, such as DDT, have a long life time in environment. They are fat soluble and generally non-biodegradable. They get incorporated into the food chain and ultimately gets deposited in the fatty tissues of animals and humans. In the food chain, because of their build up, they get magnified in the higher trophic levels which is known as biological magnification.