1. Bioaccumulation
BioAMplification

2. Definition
Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a substance such as a pesticide in the body of an organism ( 1 organism)
Bioamplification is the increase in the concentration of a substance as it moves higher up the food web (Food chain)

3. Bioaccumulation

4. Bioamplification

5. Which has the most mercury build-up?

6. The Issue Some chemicals don’t break down or get eliminated easily
As harmful chemicals increase in concentration through bioaccumulation within in an organism levels can climb to greater than levels in the environment
Through bioamplification levels can become toxic as it moves up the food chain
Pesticides, pollution, toxins and other chemical enter into animals and even us!! This is dangerous because we are consuming toxins and these toxins also limit environments CARRYING CAPACITY.

7. DDT A pesticide that does not break down quickly.
Bioaccumulated in birds like osprey, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles
The number of these birds declined rapidly because DDT interfered with calcium metabolism and a females ability to make strong eggs.

8. Arctic ecosystems are especially vulnerable
PCB’s and Mercury
Fat-soluble chemicals such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl’s bioamplify in food webs
Arctic ecosystems are especially vulnerable
High levels of the toxins are found in long-lived consumers like whales, walrus, and fish (canned albacore tuna)

9. Pests Organisms that people consider harmful or inconvenient
Damage crops, or reduce yields
Can be weeds, animals such as mice, insects such as aphids or fungus

10. Pesticides A substance used to kill a pest
Reduce competition, increase yield, plants therefore grow faster
Types include:
herbicide- kill plants,
insecticide-kill insects,
rodenticide- rodents,
fungicide- fungi,
molluscicide-snails and piscicide-fish

11. Modern synthetic pesticides are more short-lived than pesticides from the past like DDT
Broad spectrum: toxic to a wide range of species
Narrow spectrum: toxic to a limited number of species
Work by causing physical or biological harm to the pest

12. Pesticide Issues Non-target species Bioamplification
Can kill beneficial organisms (predatory insects, kill bees needed for pollination, create food chain collapse)
Bioamplification
Pesticide resistance
When a pesticide is no longer effective in killing the target species. Becomes increasingly difficult to control pests
Pesticide Dependence
As we kill off non-target species, and resistance increases we enter into a cycle of dependence on pesticides. Alternatives include organic farming and integrated pest management

13. Organic Farming Techniques
Biological control-
using predatory insects like parasitic wasps, ladybugs
Altered timing-
plant/harvest at times to avoid peak insect times
Crop rotation and mixed planting-
Prevent pests from establishing to maximum levels
Baiting pests
Pheromone baits
Integrated Pest Management uses all organic techniques but uses pesticides and fertilizers when necessary