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The term Biomagnifications is referred to as
Explanation
Biomagnification, also known as biological magnification, refers to the process where the concentration of a pollutant increases as it moves up the food chain from one trophic level to the next [2]. For this phenomenon to occur, the pollutants must be persistent (non-degradable), mobile, and fat-soluble [1]. Because these chemicals are not easily broken down or excreted, they accumulate progressively at each higher level of the food web [2]. Consequently, top predators, including humans, often exhibit the highest concentrations of these toxic substances in their bodies [2]. This differs from bioaccumulation, which focuses on the buildup of substances within a single organism over its lifetime [1]. Common examples of substances that undergo biomagnification include heavy metals like mercury and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as DDT.
Sources
- [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > 2.5.2. Biomagnification > p. 16
- [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 13: Our Environment > 13.1.1 Food Chains and Webs > p. 212