The buildup of a substance, often a persistent pollutant or heavy metal, within an organism's tissues faster than it can be broken down or excreted, typically because the substance is absorbed from the environment or diet more quickly than the body can eliminate it. It is the first step toward biomagnification, in which such substances become progressively more concentrated up a food chain.
Facts
Process TypeBiogeochemical or Pedological 1 Connections
Sources
1. Bioaccumulation (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroductionQuote, Introduction
Bioaccumulation is the gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism. Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a substance faster than it can be lost or eliminated by catabolism and excretion.
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