Biomagnification refers to the increasing concentration of chemicals as they move up the food chain. Chemicals accumulate in plants and algae, which are then eaten by smaller fish, building up further in larger fish and predatory birds and mammals. This can lead to toxic levels of chemicals like mercury and pesticides in organisms high on the food chain, including humans. An example given is how mercury from power plant emissions concentrates over 10,000 times moving from water to algae to fish to humans. Exposure to high levels of biomagnified chemicals can cause illness and affect offspring.

1. Biomagnification

2. Biomagnification
On May 17, 2001, the city of Calgary sent out a press release showing that
the lead levels in the surface soil of the Lynnview Ridge area were above
the current environmental guidelines.
This was a problem because lead can damage the kidneys, nervous system,
reproductive system and can be especially damaging to young children
and fetuses.
So far you have learned how chemicals can be transported throughout the
environment. Chemicals can also accumulate in plants through the uptake
of water. It is possible for chemicals to increase in concentration as they
move up the food chain.

3. Biomagnification
Homeowners waited 8 years for cleanup
of former oil refinery site

4. Biomagnification
The Tale of the Bald Eagle

5. Biomagnification
Biomagnification/Bioaccumulate: is when a chemical gets stronger as
it moves up the food chain or food web.
Pesticides, Herbicides and heavy metals bioaccumulate

6. Biomagnification

7. Biomagnification
Example: Mercury pollution comes from emissions from coal-fired power
plants, waste incinerators, and commercial boilers and furnaces that
burn mercury-containing materials.
When mercury enters the food chain, it is concentrated through:
Water->algae->eaten by invertebrates->fish->humans
=1 x10 x10 x10 x10
=10,000 atoms of Hg!!!
If you eat enough mercury you may become ill, but what is worse is that it
may affect your future offspring.

8. Biomagnification
Using the hand out answer the following questions:
1. What is crude oil made of? What elements does it contain?
2. What happened to the light and heavy molecules spilled?
3. What impact did the spill have on the environment, including
plants, animals, and people.
4. What percentage of the oil was recovered? What happened to the rest?
5. What procedures are in place now to protect the environment of more
oil spills?