Biomagnification is when a toxic substance such as mercury or DDT is transferred up the food chain. For example, DDT is sprayed on crops to keep insects away. Insects consume this DDT and are eaten by shrews, the DDT is built up in the shrew with every toxic insect it eats. Now the shrews are contaminated and they are eaten by hawks. The hawks now have the largest build up of DDT in their system.
Mercury is another toxin released into the environment. Mercury has been polluted right here in Syracuse into Onondaga Lake. The mercury is consumed by every living organism in the lake including micro invertebrate and fish. Outside animals such as birds scoop the infected fish out of the lake for food. Therefor the birds also become infected by the mercury. Birds may be the end of the transferring process with the mercury but may also be eaten by fox or coyote.
Clean up efforts have begun at Onondaga Lake. Big machines are being used to dredge the bottom of the lake and extract polluted material. Onondaga lake is so vastly polluted that riding of all the pollution will take a very long time.
"Onondaga Lake - The Most Polluted Lake In America." Onondaga Nation. N.p., 18 Feb. 2014. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.
Complete, because it explains bio-magnification, describes a use for DDT, explains how the toxin can travel up the food chain, has clean up effort, and has a citation.
ReplyDeleteHow did the Mercury get into Onondaga Lake?
It is surprising that it will take a very long time.
I forgot to say that it is complete because it says how DDT gets into the environment as well.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete