Biomagnification (Biological Magnification)
Biomagnification (Biological Magnification) : (a) The process by which impurities found in water are concentrated in lower forms of life and reconcentrated substantially during their movement through the food chain. Due also to uptake of food which has progressively bioconcentrated that chemical in its environment. [AIHA, 2000: Risk Assessment Principles for the Industrial Hygienist]; (b) This is a general term applied to the sequence of processes in an ecosystem by which higher concentrations are attained in organisms of higher trophic level, i.e., of higher levels in the food chain. The process by which xenobiotics increase in body concentration in organisms through a series of prey_predator relationships from primary producers to ultimate predators, often human beings. [Duffus, 2000: Univ. Edinburgh Med School On-line Chemical Safety Glossary]; (c) An increase in the concentration of a substance in each progressive link of the food chain. [NCSU, 1997: Watershedds Glossary]; (d) The concentration of certain substances up a food chain. A very important mechanism in concentrating pesticides and heavy metals in organisms such as fish. [SRA, 1999: Glossary of Risk Analysis Terms]; (e) Refers to the process whereby certain substances such as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain, work their way into rivers or lakes, and are eaten by aquatic organisms such as fish, which in turn are eaten by large birds, animals or humans. The substances become concentrated in tissues or internal organs as they move up the chain. [USDOE, 2000: RAIS Glossary]; (f) Refers to the process whereby certain substances such as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain, work their way into rivers or lakes, and are eaten by aquatic organisms such as fish, which in turn are eaten by large birds, animals or humans. The substances become concentrated in tissues or internal organs as they move up the chain. (See: bioaccumulants). [USEPA, 1997a: EPA Terms of Environment]
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