What is bioaccumulants?

Answer 1

Bioaccumulation is the building up of toxins in a food chain. Since toxins like, for instance, DDT, are not soluble in water and are instead stored in the fatty tissues, their levels raise each tier you go up on the food chain. I'll give you an example...

Plankton, at the bottom of the food chain, eat small particulates and algae, but also take in small levels of mercury.

Small fish then eat the plankton. The mercury concentrates further - remember, DDT and mercury are not water soluble toxins, so they can't be passed through urine or feces.

Large fish may eay up to 1,000 small fish in their lifetime. The mercury reaches dangerous levels for humans, and may cause genetic mutations in the fish's reproductive habits (ie, size of eggs, number of eggs, etc).

Oceanic birds eat large and small fish. The mercury causes more genetic defects, including thinner eggshells.

As you can see, bioaccumulation poses a real danger to certain ecosystems, especially since many areas were sprayed with DDT in the 60's and 70's.

Answer 2

Bio-accumulation refers to the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other organic chemicals in an organism.

Answer 3

A bioaccumulation is the accumulation of substances, i.e., pesticides, and other organic chemicals in an organism. A bioaccumulant is a substance that contributes to bioaccumulation.