Question

What is biological magnification?

Answer 1

Biological magnification:

1. It is also known as biomagnification.
2. The term "biomagnification" refers to the increase in the toxicant concentration at successive trophic levels.
3. When a toxic substance that an organism has collected cannot be digested or removed, it goes to the next higher trophic level.
4. For example - DDT biomagnification in the aquatic food chain.
5. DDT concentrations are increased through biomagnification at successive trophic levels.
6. For example, a concentration of 0.003 ppb (parts per billion) in water can rise to 25 ppm (parts per million) in fish-eating birds.
7. DDT at high levels disrupts calcium metabolism in birds, causing eggshell thinning and premature breakage, eventually leading to a bird population decrease.