What is biological magnification?

Biological magnification refers to the process by which the concentration of toxins or harmful substances increases in organisms at each successive trophic level in a food chain. This phenomenon occurs because toxins are often not readily excreted or broken down by organisms; therefore, as small organisms that contain these toxins are consumed by larger organisms, the larger organisms accumulate higher concentrations of the toxin.

For example, if a small fish ingests a toxic substance, then a larger fish that eats that small fish will have a higher concentration of the toxin. By the time you reach apex predators, such as birds of prey or large mammals, the concentration of these toxins can become significantly magnified, leading to detrimental health effects in those organisms. Understanding biological magnification is crucial for assessing ecosystem health and the risks posed to top predators and, ultimately, human health as well.