Biomagnification of Toxins Biology

Energy/Food Pyramid Producers = Phytoplankton Primary consumer = Daphnia Herring Orca Salmon

Activity ~ Round 1 Phytoplankton: using water, carbon dioxide and sunlight, make food through photosynthesis. 1.Phytoplankton are given 15 seconds to collect as many toothpicks as they can. 2.After 15 seconds has passed, each phytoplankton must write down how many toothpicks he or she collected - by color.

Activity ~ Round 2 Daphnia have 15 seconds to consume (tag) as much phytoplankton as possible. – Phytoplankton can only drift. – Daphnia can move a stroll (slow walking) pace. – Once tagged, phytoplankton must surrender the contents of their stomach (cup) move out of the way.

End of Round 2 Daphnia should now write down the number of toothpicks they "ate" - by color. Any consumer who fails to get food, dies. Any organism who is not eaten, survives into the next round.

Activity ~ Round 3 Herring will feed for 15 seconds. Herring are small fish so they can move at a regular walking pace. Any consumed daphnia or phytoplankton must surrender the contents of their stomach to the herring.

Activity ~ Round Salmon (fast but no horseplay) finally the orcas, (very fast)

What do the toothpicks represent? Plain – clean, pure water Red – water contaminated with selenium. Symptoms of selenium poisoning: – acute: impair vision, nerve problems, decreased appetite, paralysis death – chronic: alkali disease: hair loss, emaciation, shed hooves, erode joints.

Orange – water contaminated with chromium. Symptoms of chromium poisoning: – Liver, kidney and circulatory disorders Yellow – water contaminated with lead. Symptoms of lead poisoning: – mental retardation, memory problems, headaches, reduced coordination, slowed reflexes, fatigue, muscle weakness, anemia, kidney problems, low birth weight, miscarriages.

Green – water contaminated with DDT from the ’s. Symptoms: – carcinogen, reproductive toxin, symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incoordination, tremor, mental confusion, hyperexcitable state. Blue – water contaminated with mercury. Symptoms: – decreased short term memory, inability to coordinate movements with visual impressions, anxiety, sleep disturbances, bloating diarrhea, gums bleed, blisters, teeth ache, kidney damage, headache, nausea vomiting.

Consequences of Contamination 4 toothpicks in one color (R,O,Y,G, or B) – Consumer is very sick 5 toothpicks in one color (R,O,Y,G, or B) – Consumer gets cancer or offspring has severe birth defects 6 toothpicks in one color (R,O,Y,G, or B) – Consumer is dying or dead

Sad, but true…