Download Bioaccumulation Notes

SCIENCE 9
Bioaccumulation
Synthetic (
environment when
process.
) and organic chemicals
in the
cannot break them down through biodegradation
Bioaccumulation is the
the
of living organisms.
 A chemical will accumulate if it is
faster than it is
 Chemicals can enter organisms through
of these chemicals in
 Chemicals are typically stored in the
of organisms but are
released from storage when the fat is burned for energy
 These chemicals can be harmful to the organism if they are not
(chemically changed) or are not
in the feces or urine
 Synthetic and organic chemicals can affect the
system,
system and
system
and may cause birth defects in offspring
Chemicals can affect whole ecosystems, especially if a keystone
species is harmed
 Keystone species – a species that greatly affects the
population numbers of other organisms as well as overall
health of the ecosystem
o Example:
Biomagnification is the process in which chemicals not only accumulate but also become
.