Final answer:
Bioaccumulation is the process by which chemicals build up in organisms to higher concentrations than in the environment. Examples of chemicals that bioaccumulate include heavy metals and PCBs. Eating large fish such as swordfish and king mackerel can be a concern due to their high mercury content, which can be harmful to human health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bioaccumulation occurs when chemicals build up in an organism over time, reaching higher concentrations than in the surrounding environment. Certain traits allow chemicals to bioaccumulate, such as having a long half-life, being resistant to degradation, and being lipophilic, or soluble in fats. Some examples of chemicals that bioaccumulate include heavy metals like mercury and cadmium, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
We are concerned about eating large fish such as swordfish and king mackerel because these fish are higher up on the food chain and have a longer lifespan, allowing more time for bioaccumulation to occur. These fish often accumulate high levels of mercury, which can be harmful to human health, especially for pregnant women and young children.