Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution

Mercury

Sodium chloride

Glucose

Calcium carbonate

Biomagnification is the initial step that leads to bioaccumulation in organisms.

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification are two different terms for the same process.

Biomagnification occurs independently of bioaccumulation in food chains.

Bioaccumulation contributes to biomagnification by increasing pollutant concentrations in organisms.

The replacement of a coal-fired power plant with a wind farm reducing mercury emissions.

The expansion of urban areas increasing surface runoff contaminated with pollutants.

An increase in industrial activities that release heavy metals into waterways.

A rise in agricultural runoff leading to greater use of chemical fertilizers.

Consumption of contaminated food and water

Exposure through skin absorption

Inhalation of polluted air

Direct contact with contaminated soil

Persistence of the pollutant

Availability of sunlight

Temperature fluctuations in the environment

Size of the organisms in the food chain

Introducing new prey species into ecosystems to diversify diets for top predators.

Banning or restricting persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like DDT that accumulate through trophic levels.

Promoting ecotourism initiatives focused on top predator habitats for educational purposes.

Creating wildlife reserves where these predators can hunt without human interference.

Increased growth rates due to lesser competition with insects for food resources.

Development of resistance to DDT among bird populations over several generations.

Enhanced vision allowing birds to catch more insects affected by DDT exposure.

Eggshell thinning leading to reduced hatching success among birds.

Development of asthma

Disruption of endocrine system

Increased bone density

Improved cognitive function

Bioaccumulation.

Biostimulation.

Biomagnification.

Biodilution.

Top-level carnivores have less fat tissue relative to body mass where toxins could be sequestered compared with herbivores lower down the chain.

Carnivorous species often inhabit smaller ecological niches allowing for quicker saturation of toxins within those specific environments versus diverse habitats occupied by herbivores.

Energy transfer inefficiency necessitates greater biomass consumption at each successive level, amplifying toxin intake among top-level carnivores.

Herbivorous species metabolize toxins more effectively due to specialized digestive systems evolved for plant-based diets rich in various chemicals.