StellarBioaccumulation is the selective absorption and concentration of elements or compounds by cells in a living organism, most commonly fat-soluble compounds. It describes buildup within a single individual organism over time. A tuna that lives for 20 years accumulates more mercury in its tissues than a tuna that lives for 5 years.
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Lesson PreviewLesson 8 of 15 in this unit
8.8 Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
Part of Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution in AP® Environmental Science. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.
In this unit
15 lessons
- 8.1Sources of PollutionPreview lesson
- 8.2Human Impacts on EcosystemsPreview lesson
- 8.3Endocrine DisruptorsPreview lesson
- 8.4Human Impacts on Wetlands and MangrovesPreview lesson
- 8.5EutrophicationPreview lesson
- 8.6Thermal PollutionPreview lesson
- 8.7Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)Preview lesson
- 8.8Bioaccumulation and BiomagnificationThis lesson
- 8.9Solid Waste DisposalPreview lesson
- 8.10Waste Reduction MethodsPreview lesson
- 8.11Sewage TreatmentPreview lesson
- 8.12Lethal Dose 50%Preview lesson
- 8.13Dose Response CurvePreview lesson
- 8.14Pollution and Human HealthPreview lesson
- 8.15Pathogens and Infectious DiseasesPreview lesson
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