Biological Magnification Biological Magnification: The process of a chemical buildup, increasing in concentration, as it moves up trophic levels of a food chain. Biological Magnification: The process of a chemical buildup, increasing in concentration, as it moves up trophic levels of a food chain.

Why and how do they accumulate? Chemicals, which bioaccumulate in this way, are stored in the fatty tissue of animals. Thus they are stored in the animal, and not used up (like a carbohydrate or protein) or passed out as waste. Chemicals, which bioaccumulate in this way, are stored in the fatty tissue of animals. Thus they are stored in the animal, and not used up (like a carbohydrate or protein) or passed out as waste. Thus when another animal eats them, that animal will gain the chemical accumulation from the animal they ate. Thus when another animal eats them, that animal will gain the chemical accumulation from the animal they ate.

Food Chain Concentration of DDT in A Long Island Marsh sprayed for Mosquito Control 1967 ppm Water00005 Plankton.04 Silverside Minnow.23 Sheephead Minnow.94 Pickerel1.23 Needlefish2.07 Heron3.57 Tern3.91 Osprey13.8 Merganser22.8 Cormorant26.4

What chemicals biomagnifiy? Types of chemicals that biomagnify are often chlorinated hydrocarbons that are (or were) used to produce pesticides and heavy metals and other organic compounds used in industry. Types of chemicals that biomagnify are often chlorinated hydrocarbons that are (or were) used to produce pesticides and heavy metals and other organic compounds used in industry.

Examples are: 1. DDT, chlordane, and lindane. Often these types of chemicals are found in pesticides. 1. DDT, chlordane, and lindane. Often these types of chemicals are found in pesticides. 2. Heavy Metals: Mercury and Lead 2. Heavy Metals: Mercury and Lead 3. PCBs: originally used in electrical transformers, it was an excellent electrical insulator. 3. PCBs: originally used in electrical transformers, it was an excellent electrical insulator. 4. Dioxin 4. Dioxin

POB’s These chemicals are sometimes called persistent organic pollutants. (POB’s) They do not degrade or break down easily in the environment. They can last for decades to hundreds of years in an ecosystem. These chemicals are sometimes called persistent organic pollutants. (POB’s) They do not degrade or break down easily in the environment. They can last for decades to hundreds of years in an ecosystem. Consequently, even though some of these chemical have been banned for years, they can still cause problems to the environment. Consequently, even though some of these chemical have been banned for years, they can still cause problems to the environment.

Who is at risk? Those most at risk from these chemicals are those with weakened immune systems, elderly, pregnant women, and children. Those most at risk from these chemicals are those with weakened immune systems, elderly, pregnant women, and children.

Health Problems caused by biological magnification of these chemicals are: 1. Neurological Damage: Babies and young children are most susceptible to the effects of lead, mercury, and PCBs. Thus pregnant women are often at risk more due to the chemicals they can pass on to their babies. 1. Neurological Damage: Babies and young children are most susceptible to the effects of lead, mercury, and PCBs. Thus pregnant women are often at risk more due to the chemicals they can pass on to their babies. 2. Cancer 2. Cancer 3. Reproductive Problems/Birth Defects, 3. Reproductive Problems/Birth Defects, 4. Small hard to detect health effects. 4. Small hard to detect health effects.