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What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem? |
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Answer» Biomagnification or biological magnification is defined as the rise or increase in the contaminated substances caused by the intoxicating environment. The contaminants might be heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic and pesticides such as polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT. These substances are taken up by the organisms through the food they consume. When the organisms in the higher food chain feed on the organisms in the lower food chain containing these toxins, these toxins get accumulated in the higher organisms. The levels of biological magnification is different at different levels of the ecosystem. It increases with each successive trophic level. |
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