Pollution and Bioaccumulation

P ollution Toxin Biodegradable Non-biodegradable Bioaccumulation (biological magnification) Pesticides

Anything that makes an environment harmful to When left undisturbed, an ecosystem is continually sustained by its nutrient cycles. Pollution: Anything that makes an environment harmful to the living things of the ecosystem. Usually refers to dangerous chemicals. Most pollution finds its way into our water.

Air pollution Results: worsens Greenhouse Effect, acid rain. Ground pollution Results: pollutes ground water, harmful to animals. Pesticides – chemical that kills insects and other “pests.” Bioaccumulating, non-biodegradable. Fertilizers – nitrogen compounds, speed up the growth of producers (plants).

These substances remain in the ecosystem forever. New chemicals produced by human activity are not part of the nutrient cycles of the ecosystem. Biodegradable - substances that can be broken down naturally by decomposers to be reused. Non-biodegradable - substances that CANNOT be broken down in nature. These substances remain in the ecosystem forever.

Biodegradable Cotton clothes, wool, paper, wood, food. Non-biodegradable Chemicals, mercury, glass, certain types of plastics.

Toxin – a pollutant that directly affects the health of living organisms. Toxins cannot be excreted in sweat / urine – buildup in fat tissue. Bioaccumulate (bioamplify) - when a toxin accumulates (piles up) inside a living organism. Producers constantly absorb small amounts of non-biodegradable substances. Primary consumers eat the producers and the toxin moves up the food chain.

100 000 1000 10 1 Amount of toxin builds inside higher consumers. Side effects of the toxin get worse. 100 000 1000 10 Weakened, sick or die. 1

10000000 100000 1000 10