What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?
Answer
The increase in concentration of harmful and toxic substances higher in the food chain, due to the presence of these substances in the lower levels is called biological magnification.
Yes, the levels of this magnification are different at different levels of the ecosystem.
Let us consider the food chain
Grass ➔ Goat ➔ Human
The harmful substances (like pesticides), present in the grass go into the goat’s body as it eats the grass.
The harmful substances that are inherited by the goat from the grass as well as any harmful substance it might have, goes into the human’s body.
Hence, the level of harmful substances increases at every trophic level.
