ME_Biomagnification Lesson
Pollution is all around us, right? But how does it travel through the ecosystem? Contaminants travel through the ecosystem through biomagnification. This phenomenon occurs when toxic substances, such as pesticides or heavy metals, become more concentrated in organisms at each step of the food chain. Let's unravel how this happens and why it's a critical environmental issue.
Biomagnification starts with small amounts of toxic substances getting absorbed by primary producers like phytoplankton.
These substances might include chemicals like PCBs or heavy metals such as mercury. When primary consumers, like small fish, eat large quantities of phytoplankton, these toxins accumulate in their bodies. As we move up the trophic levels to secondary and tertiary consumers, the concentration of these toxins increases. By the time we reach apex predators, such as large fish or birds, the concentration of toxins can be dangerously high, often with detrimental health effects.
What does this look like in real life?
Let’s explore a few different case studies of biomagnification and contaminants in the environment.
Each of these case studies showcases the complex and often unintended consequences of human activities on marine ecosystems and emphasizes the importance of understanding and mitigating the effects of biomagnification.
Watch the video below to learn "Why 99% of the ocean plastic pollution is missing".
We’ve discovered that biomagnification is a critical process in marine ecosystems where toxic substances increase in concentration up the food chain. It highlights the interconnectedness of marine life and the profound impact human activities can have on ocean health.
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