Bioaccumulation & Bioaccumulation & BiomagnificationBiomagnification

Chemicals in our EnvironmentChemicals in our Environment

BioaccumulationBioaccumulation

The gradual The gradual buildupbuildup, over time, of a , over time, of a chemicalchemical in a in a LIVING ORGANISIMLIVING ORGANISIM

Why Does This Happen?Why Does This Happen?

Chemicals are taken up faster than they Chemicals are taken up faster than they are usedare used

OrOrChemicals can’t be broken down by the Chemicals can’t be broken down by the

organism for useorganism for use

PollutantsPollutants

Chemical pollutants that are Chemical pollutants that are bioaccumulated come from many sourcesbioaccumulated come from many sourcesPesticidesPesticides Industrial Smoke StacksIndustrial Smoke StacksAutomobile EmissionsAutomobile EmissionsDeliberate Discharge of Compounds into Deliberate Discharge of Compounds into

WaterWater

BiomagnificationBiomagnification

The buildup of substances by successive The buildup of substances by successive trophic trophic levelslevels

ExampleExample: A predator will have higher concentrations : A predator will have higher concentrations of a chemical compared to its preyof a chemical compared to its prey

DDTDDT

Soil(Soil(10ppm10ppm))Earthworms(Earthworms(141ppm141ppm))Robins(Robins(444ppm444ppm))

1 unit

2 units

6 units

12 units

24 units

DDTDDT

DDicholoro-icholoro-ddiphenyl-iphenyl-ttrichloroethanerichloroethaneAn insecticide used in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’sAn insecticide used in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’sentered the environment in run-off from landentered the environment in run-off from landWas banned in 1972 after the Bald Eagle Was banned in 1972 after the Bald Eagle

population had a noticeable crash.population had a noticeable crash.

What is the difference

Biomagnification Bioaccumulation