Question

Bioaccumulation is ________. the chemical change that occurs when substances alter the growth and development of humans the total amount of chemicals stored in the tissues of living organisms the chemical change that occurs when substances are altered by the sun or metabolized by microorganisms average length of time a molecule of a substance spends in the environment the process by which chemicals are stored in the tissues of living organisms

Answer 1

The process by which chemicals are stored in the tissues of living organisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bioaccumulation refers to the build up or accumulation of chemicals (organic and pesticides) inside of living organisms from all sources including- air, water and diet.

Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism takes in chemicals faster than they can degrade/excrete or use i.e. more is coming in than going out, or the organism cannot excrete or degrade the chemical at all, therefore, causing the chemical to accumulate in the organism, exposing the organism to risk of chronic poisoning. Hence, Bioaccumulation is the net result of all uptake and loss processes of chemical substances such as respiratory and dietary intake, egestion, excretion etc.

A vivid example of Bioaccumulation is the ingestion of mercury (a chemical contaminant) by fishes in water bodies. Phytoplankton and bacteria, which naturally feeds on mercury without it causing harm to them, is eaten by fishes, causing the mercury chemical to gradually accumulate in their system.

Answer 2

Bioaccumulation is the process by which chemicals are stored in the tissues of living organisms. It is the accumulation of chemicals in the tissue of organisms through any route including, respiration, ingestion or direct contact with contaminated water, sediment and pore water in the sediment. These chemical substances include, pesticides or other chemicals.