Final answer:
Biomagnification occurs when DDT becomes highly concentrated in ospreys due to the consumption of fish that have accumulated the chemical. This phenomenon is known as bimagnification and can have harmful effects on ospreys.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biomagnification is a process in which the concentration of a substance, such as a pollutant, increases as it moves up the food chain. In the case of DDT and ospreys, DDT is a pesticide that was used extensively in the past. When fish consume water contaminated with DDT, they accumulate the chemical in their bodies. As ospreys feed on these contaminated fish, the DDT concentration increases further in their bodies.
When ospreys consume multiple contaminated fish over time, the concentration of DDT in their bodies can reach levels that are harmful to their health. This is known as bimagnification, as the concentration of DDT is magnified from the fish to the ospreys. The high concentration of DDT in ospreys can lead to various negative effects, such as reproductive issues and weakened immune systems.
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