APES bioaccumulation and biomagnification key terms

Define bioaccumulation.

Bioaccumulation is the process by which organisms accumulate toxic substances from their environment faster than they can eliminate them.

True or False: Bioaccumulation occurs in a single organism.

True. Bioaccumulation refers to the buildup of substances within an individual organism over time.

List two examples of substances that bioaccumulate.

1. Mercury 2. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)

What factors influence bioaccumulation?

Factors include: - Chemical properties (lipophilicity) - Organism's metabolism - Duration of exposure

Fill in the blank: Bioaccumulation leads to increased concentrations of toxins in the ______.

organism

How does bioaccumulation affect food webs?

It can lead to higher concentrations of toxins in predators, disrupting ecosystem health and food safety.

Compare bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

Bioaccumulation: individual organisms; Biomagnification: increase in concentration through trophic levels.

What is a common measurement for bioaccumulation?

Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) = concentration in organism / concentration in environment.

True or False: Bioaccumulation can occur in plants.

True. Plants can also accumulate heavy metals and other toxins from the soil and water.

What role do fatty tissues play in bioaccumulation?

Lipophilic substances tend to accumulate in fatty tissues, leading to higher concentrations.

Provide an example of a species affected by bioaccumulation.

The common loon has been affected by mercury bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems.

What is the main concern with bioaccumulation?

It poses risks to wildlife and humans through contaminated food sources.

Fill in the blank: Toxic substances often bioaccumulate in ______ organisms.

top predators

How is bioaccumulation measured?

Through laboratory analysis of tissue samples for toxic chemicals present.

What is the significance of bioaccumulation in environmental science?

It helps in understanding pollutant impacts, ecosystem health, and human exposure risks.

Give an example of a pathway for bioaccumulation.

Aquatic plants absorb mercury → small fish eat plants → larger fish eat small fish.

Biomagnification definition

Biomagnification is the increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at each successive trophic level.

True or False: Biomagnification only occurs in aquatic ecosystems.

False. Biomagnification can occur in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

How does biomagnification affect predators?

Predators accumulate higher levels of toxins, leading to health issues, reproductive failures, and population declines.

Fill in the blank: Biomagnification often involves _______ that are persistent and lipophilic.

toxins

Example of biomagnification

An example is mercury accumulation in fish. Smaller fish ingest mercury, larger fish eat smaller fish, leading to higher mercury levels.

Cause → Effect: High levels of DDT in water.

Cause: High levels of DDT in water. Effect: Increased concentration in fish, leading to higher levels in birds of prey.

Difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

Bioaccumulation is the accumulation of substances in an individual organism. Biomagnification is the increase in concentration as you move up the food chain.

Question: What role do apex predators play in biomagnification?

Apex predators often show the highest contaminant levels due to consuming multiple contaminated prey.

True or False: All pollutants biomagnify equally.

False. Not all pollutants biomagnify; only certain persistent organic pollutants do.

List three examples of substances that biomagnify.

1. DDT 2. Mercury 3. PCBs

What happens to toxin levels in organisms as you move up the food web?

Toxin levels increase as you move up the food web due to biomagnification.

Why is understanding biomagnification important?

It is crucial for assessing ecosystem health and the safety of food sources for humans and wildlife.

Example of mercury bioaccumulation?

In fish like tuna, mercury accumulates from water pollution, leading to high concentrations in larger predators.

True or False: Biomagnification affects only aquatic ecosystems.

False. It affects both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, e.g., bald eagles and DDT.

Fill in the blank: DDT accumulates in __________, affecting birds of prey.

fatty tissues.

Question: How does PCBs biomagnify in the food chain?

PCBs enter water, accumulate in small fish, and magnify in larger fish and birds.

Comparison: Bioaccumulation vs. Biomagnification.

Bioaccumulation: buildup in one organism. Biomagnification: increase through trophic levels.

Example of a real-world case:

The Great Lakes fishery faced mercury contamination, leading to advisories against consuming certain fish.

Cause: Pesticide use; Effect: __________ in food webs.

Increased concentration of toxins.

What is a common pollutant involved in bioaccumulation?

Heavy metals like lead and mercury, commonly found in industrial waste.