2.3 Bioaccumulation in Ecosystems
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33 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 bioaccumulation | the gradual build-up of synthetic and organic chemicals in living organisms |
| keystone species | species that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem |
| biomagnification | the process in which chmicals not only accumulate but become more concentrated at each trophic level in a food pyramid. |
| PCB | synthetic chemicals that were widely used from the 1930s to the 1970s in industrial products. |
| half life | the time it takes for the amount of a chemical to decrease to half. |
| persistent organic pollutants | carbon-containing compounds that remain in water and soil for many years. |
| parts per million | a unit of measurement for chemical accumulation |
| ppm | parts per million |
| ppb | parts per billion |
| heavy metals | are metalic elements with a high density that are toxic to organisms at low concentrations. |
| bioremediation | the use of living organisms to clean up chemical pollution naturally, only faster, through biodegradation. |
| lead | a heavy metal that causes damage to consumers nervous system, reproduction system, circulatory system,and muscular system. |
| cadium | a heavy metal that causes damage to consumers respiratory, digestive, endocrine and excretory systems. |
| mercury | a heavy metal that causes damage to consumers - poisoning can cause abnormal behavior, loss of balance, and paralysis. |
| DDT | a synthetic pesticide that was widely used to control insects up to 1970 in North America. Still used in some countries. Accumulates in fatty tissue at each trophic level. Causes bird eggs to be too fragile. |
| Red Tide | one type of naturally occuring pollutants. The ocean becomes red in color. This is caused by blooms of toxic species of unicellular algae. |
| Paralytic shellfish poisoning | a type of poisoning when humans consume oysters, clams, mussels which have consumed zooplankton or algae which is toxic with a naturally occuring pollutant. |
| Bioaccumulation | gradual buildup of synthetic and organic chemicals in organisms that decomposers can't break down |
| Keystone Species | a species whose impact on its community or ecosystem are much larger and more influential than would be expected from mere abundance. ex Salmon are important for wolves, bears, eagles and otters and when decaying become a rich source of nitrogen |
| biomagnification | accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of the food chain |
| PCBs | synthetic chemicals used in industrial products but were banned due to concerns about impact on environment and humans |
| persistent organic pollutants | carbon containing compounds that remain in water and soil fro many years |
| bioremediation | is use of living organisms to do clean up naturally |
| Keystone Species | Greatly affect ecosystem health, or the reproductive abbilities of species are harmed. |
| Bioremediation | Process where micro-organisms, or plants help clean them up. |
| Biomagnification | Process in which pollutants not only accumulate, but also become more concentrated at each trophic level. |
| POPs | Harmful, carbon-containing compounds that remain in water and soil for many years. |
| PCBs | Interfere with normal functioniong of bodìes immune system and cause problems with reproduction. |
| Parts Per Million (PPM) | One particle of a given substance mixed with 999,999 other particles. |
| DDT | Toxic POP used as pesticide in the past to control disease-carrying mosquitoes. |
| Heavy Metals | Do not degrade and they cannot be destroyed. Ex.) Mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) |
| Half-Life | Time it takes for amount of substance to decrease by half. |
| Bioaccumulation | Build up of toxins in an organism. |
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