Question

Define the biological magnification phenomenon by taking some suitable examples.

Answer 1

Biological magnification:

1. Biomagnification refers to the accumulation of toxic chemicals with increasing trophic levels in the food chain.
2. The contaminants can be DDT, arsenic, pesticides, etc.
3. The crops absorb these harmful chemicals from the soil along with water and minerals.
4. They enter the food chain at the producer level and intoxicate the entire food chain, the organisms at the higher level are affected the most.

Example-

1. When sprays containing DDT are released they contaminate the air and the water surface. This contaminates the air and water and damages marine life.
2. Spraying of pesticides contaminates the crops, as they take up the chemicals from the soil along with water and minerals, and organisms who consume these crops consume the chemicals too.