Bioaccumulation 2.3 part 1 of 2
Agenda BIOACCUMULATION GAME LECTURE NOTES BIOMAGNIFICATION ACTIVITY UNCLE BOB’S GARDEN WORKSHEET REVIEW TEST
Build up of synthetic chemicals can cause mutations in amphibians
Bioaccumulation The gradual buildup of chemicals, organic & synthetic, in an organism Occurs when intake is higher than breakdown and excretion
Bioaccumulation Many harmful chemicals can’t be decomposed Keystone Species: a species that can greatly affect population numbers & the health of the ecosystem Bioaccumulation in keystone species can cause a lot of damage! Salmon
Biomagnification Chemicals become more concentrated at each trophic level Chemical accumulation is measured as parts per million (ppm) 1 ppm = 1 particle mixed with 999,999 other particles 3 ppm = 3 particle mixed with 999,997 other particles
Biomagnification A red tailed hawk eats 4 Grouse A butterfly eats 2 leaves A Grouse eats 3 butterflies Leaf has PCB 0.5 ppm 1 ppm 3 ppm 12 ppm
PCB in British Columbia Polychlorinated biphenyls Used from the 1930’s – 70’s in paint, plastics, electronics etc. Takes a long time to break down (long half-life) Banned in 1977 Will affect orca’s reproductive cycle till 2030