What is the Difference Between Bioaccumulation and

Biomagnification?
By: Patrick Regoniel
FOLLOW
What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Are these
concepts similar?
In environmental circles, many people confuse the terms bioaccumulation and
biomagnification. These words are encountered when dealing with issues concerning
the gradual build-up of toxic substances in the bodies of organisms; ultimately, in the
human body. A certain threshold level will, through time, be reached where some
disorder or illness is manifested.
A classic example is the case of mercury dumped into the bay of Minamata in Japan.
Nobody knew about the idea of bioaccumulation until it was discovered that gradual
ingestion of toxic substances can result to illness and even death.

Bioaccumulation vs. Biomagnification

How is bioaccumulation differentiated from biomagnification? Are these two concepts
similar?

1. Bioaccumulation
Bioaccumulation is defined as the increase in concentration of a substance(s) in an
organism or a part of that organism.Toxic substances are lipophilic or fat-loving, the
reason why these substances are deposited and concentrated in the fat tissues of the
organisms. The affected organism has a higher concentration of the substance than the
concentration in the organism's surrounding environment. The toxic substances are very
slowly metabolized or excreted so if the organism keeps on consuming prey or food
contaminated with toxic substances, the concentration of the substance will further
increase in its body, hence, bioaccumulation results. When a certain threshold level is
reached, measured in parts per million (ppm), symptoms due to the type of toxin are
manifested.
Examples of toxic substances that bioaccumulate are lead, mercury,
dichlorodiethyltrichloroethane (DDT), among others (see Reasons Why Used Oil
Should Not Be Disposed Of Into the Drain). Lead exposure can be serious for young
children because their growing bodies absorb lead more easily than adults. They are
more susceptible to its harmful effects. Even low level of lead exposure can harm the
intellectual development, behaviour, growth, and hearing of infants. High
concentrations of lead in pregnant mothers can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Mercury, as mentioned above, can cause paralysis. DDT at concentration above 236 mg
per kg of body weight, can cause death among humans. Concentration of 6-10 mg/kg
leads to such symptoms as headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and tremors.

2. Biomagnification
Biomagnification is also called Bioamplification. It is simply the increase in
concentration of a substance in a food chain, not an organism. Persistent organic
pollutants (POPs) are compounds that biomagnify. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
are chemical substances that persist in the environment. These substances
bioaccumulate through the food web and pose risk not only to humans but also other
living organisms because of their adverse effects. These pollutants consists of pesticides
(such as DDT), industrial chemicals (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs) and
unintentional by-products of industrial processes (such as dioxins and furans). In
essence, biomagnification is similar to bioaccumulation but is descriptive of higher level
biological processes, not individual.
Adequate care must therefore be exercised in choosing what to ingest. Foods may be
laced with toxic substances that are harmful to the body when consumed in large
quantities. It pays to see the labels (see 12 Harmful Ingredients in Power Drinks, Colas,
and Artificial Juice Drinks), and be aware of the sources of these toxins.
References
Canada Minister of Health, 2008. Effects of lead on human health. Retrieved on April
21, 2010 from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/lead-plomb-eng.php#he.
Duke University, n.d. Effects of DDT. Retrieved on April 21, 2010
from http://www.chem.duke.edu/~jds/cruise_chem/pest/effects.html.
Duncan, D. E., 2010. Chemicals within us. Retrieved on April 21, 2010
from http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/humanbody/chemicals-within-us.html#page=6.
University of Cincinnati, n.d. Glossary of terms. Retrieved on April 21, 2010
from http://www.eh.uc.edu/growingupfemale/resources_glossary.asp.
Virginia Department of Health, 1999. Biosolids life cycle. Retrieved on April 21, 2010
from http://www.biosolids.state.va.us/research.htm.
2010 April 21 Patrick A. Regoniel What is the Difference Between Bioaccumulation
and Biomagnification?

https://environment.knoji.com/what-is-the-difference-between-bioaccumulation-andbiomagnification/