1. Toxins enter the ecosystem. 2. Small organisms absorb toxins. 3. Larger organisms eat smaller ones, concentrating toxins. 4. Apex predators accumulate the highest concentrations.

1. Bacteria convert inorganic mercury to methylmercury. 2. Small organisms absorb it. 3. It biomagnifies up the food chain.

1. DDT was sprayed. 2. It accumulated in algae. 3. Small fish ate algae. 4. Larger fish ate small fish. 5. Birds of prey ate larger fish, leading to eggshell thinning.

1. Fish is exposed to pollutants in water. 2. Pollutants are absorbed into the fish's tissues. 3. Pollutants accumulate over the fish's lifetime.

1. Mercury enters the ocean. 2. Bacteria convert it to methylmercury. 3. Small organisms absorb methylmercury. 4. Tuna eat these organisms, accumulating methylmercury.

1. DDT is sprayed on crops or water. 2. It is absorbed by plants or algae. 3. Herbivores consume the plants/algae. 4. Carnivores consume the herbivores, increasing DDT concentration.

1. Mercury deposition from atmosphere. 2. Conversion to methylmercury by bacteria. 3. Uptake by plankton. 4. Consumption by small fish. 5. Biomagnification in larger fish.

1. Pollutants enter at the base. 2. Concentration increases at each trophic level. 3. Top predators accumulate highest levels. 4. Disrupts ecosystem stability.

1. DDT enters the food chain. 2. Birds consume contaminated prey. 3. DDT interferes with calcium deposition. 4. Eggshells become thin and fragile. 5. Reproductive success declines.

1. Warmer waters increase bacterial activity. 2. More methylmercury is produced. 3. Fish metabolism increases, leading to higher uptake. 4. Biomagnification intensifies.

Thinning of eggshells, leading to population declines.

Nervous system damage and developmental issues.

Can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, leading to imbalance.

Increased rate of mercury conversion and fish metabolism, leading to higher levels.

Exposure to toxins through contaminated food sources, leading to various health problems.

Continued disruption of food chains and potential harm to wildlife.

Bioaccumulation in fish and biomagnification up the food chain, posing risks to wildlife and humans.

Long-term contamination, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and adverse effects on wildlife and human health.

Accumulation of high concentrations of toxins, leading to health problems and population declines.

Interference with calcium deposition, resulting in thin and fragile eggshells, and reduced reproductive success.

Buildup of substances in an organism's tissues over its lifetime.

Increase in toxin concentration as you move up the food chain.

Top predator in a food chain, often with the highest toxin concentrations.

Species with a disproportionately large impact on their environment.

Organic form of mercury that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies.

A widely used pesticide in the mid-20th century, now banned in the U.S.

Each step in a food chain or food web.

A pollutant that remains in the environment for a long time.

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Persistent Organic Pollutant; toxic chemicals that adversely affect human health and the environment around the world.