What does "bioaccumulation" describe?

Bioaccumulation describes the process whereby certain substances, particularly toxins, are taken up by an organism faster than they can be eliminated or excreted. This leads to a higher concentration of these substances within the organism over time. For instance, when aquatic organisms are exposed to toxic chemicals in their environment, they absorb these substances through their skin or through consumption of contaminated food. Because these toxins may be persistent in the body and not easily degraded or eliminated, their levels build up, potentially leading to harmful effects. This phenomenon is particularly significant in top predators that consume a large number of lower trophic level organisms, thereby accumulating higher concentrations of these harmful substances.

This understanding of bioaccumulation is critical in ecology, especially when assessing the impacts of pollutants on ecosystems and food chains. It highlights the importance of monitoring and regulating pollutants to protect wildlife and human health.