Question

Which of the following statements is not correct regarding biomagnification?

(i) Mercury accumulated by an organism cannot be metabolised.
(ii) In the process of biomagnification, concentration of DDT is increased at successive trophic levels.
(iii) Accumulation of cadmium can cause thinning of eggshells in birds.
(iv) DDT accumulation is a major cause of a reduced population of fish-eating birds.
(v) Biomagnification occurs only in the aquatic food chain

• A. (i), (iii) and (v)
• B. (iii) and (iv)
• C. (iii) and (v)
• D. (i), (ii) and (iv)

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

(iii) and (v)

The higher amounts of pesticide like DDT, disturb calcium metabolism of birds resulting in thinning of egg shells and their premature breaking. This is a major cause of reduction of population of fish eating birds. Biomagnification is found in all types of food chains.