A Definitive Guide to understand Biomagnification.
                     A  D E F I N I T I V E  
G U I D E  T O  
U N D E R S TA N D  
B I O M A G N I F I C AT I
O N
W H A T  I S  
B I O M A G N I F I C A T I O
N ?
• Biomagnification can be defined as 
the rise or increase in the 
contaminated substances caused by 
the intoxicating environment. 
• The contaminants might be heavy 
metals such as mercury, arsenic, and 
pesticides such as polychlorinated 
biphenyls and DDT.
Source: byjus.com
C AU S E S  O F  
B I O M A G N I F I C AT I O N
A G R I C U L T U R E
• The agricultural pesticides, 
insecticides, fertilizers and fungicides 
are very toxic and are released into 
the soil, rivers, lakes, and seas. 
• These substances contain small 
amounts of heavy metals such as 
mercury, arsenic, copper, lead and 
cadmium. 
• These cause health issues in aquatic 
organisms and humans.
Source: byjus.com
O R G A N I C  
C O N T A M I N A N T S
• Manures and biosolids are processed 
industrially and contain contaminants 
like pharmaceuticals and personal 
care products. 
• These substances have an adverse 
impact on the health of humans, 
animals, and wildlife.
Source: byjus.com
I N D U S T R I A L  
A C T I V I T I E S
• The industries and factories release 
toxic substances that are released into 
the soil, lakes, oceans, and rivers. 
• The gaseous emissions pollute the 
environment which enters into the 
food chain leading to biomagnification.
Source: byjus.com
M I N I N G  
A C T I V I T I E S  I N  
T H E  O C E A N
• Mining activities are carried out in the 
deep sea to extract metal like zinc, 
Aluminium, cobalt, silver and gold. 
• The mining process generates a large 
amount of selenium and sulphide, 
which deposits in water and destroys 
the oceans and coastal regions.
Source: byjus.com
E F F E C T S  O F  
B I O M A G N I F I C AT I O N
I M P A C T  O N  H U M A N  
H E A L T H
• Biomagnification makes humans more 
prone to cancer, kidney problems, 
liver failure, birth defects, respiratory 
disorders, and heart diseases.
Source: byjus.com
E F F E C T S  O N  
D E V E L O P M E N T  O F  
M A R I N E  
C R E A T U R E S
• The toxic chemicals accumulate in the 
important organs of aquatic organisms 
that affect their reproduction and 
development processes.
Source: byjus.com
D E S T R U C T I O N  O F  
C O R A L  R E E F S
• Cyanide that is used in leaching gold 
and fishing is the main cause of the 
destruction of coral reefs. Coral reefs 
are the dwelling and feeding grounds 
for many sea creatures. 
• Their destruction affects the lives of 
many aquatic animals.
Source: byjus.com
D I S R U P T I O N  O F  
F O O D  C H A I N
• The chemicals and toxins which are 
released into the water bodies disrupt 
the food chain. 
• The small organisms absorb the toxins 
which are eaten up by larger animals. 
• These toxins, thus, get accumulated in 
the higher level of organisms.
Source: byjus.com