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Explain biomagnification of DDT in an aquatic food chain. How does it affect the bird population? |
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Answer» If DDT leaches from the agricultural field, it gets into the water body (the concentration is 0.0003 ppm) and enters the food chain: zooplanktons (0.04 ppm) → small fish (0.05 ppm) → large fish (2 ppm) → any fish eating bird (5 ppm). Concentration of DDT increases along the food chain, reaching a high level in the top carnivore bird. DDT concentration disturbs Ca++ metabolism, egg shells become thin, premature breaking resulting in decline in bird population. |
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