Question

Indiscriminate use of chemicals, pesticides and weedicides by humans are polluting our water bodies, which in turn are harming the living organisms. Study the flow chart and answer the questions based on it.

1. Why does the concentration of DDT seem to be considerably high in the top consumer?
2. How would the organisms at the highest level be affected?
3. Name the phenomenon observed.

Answer 1

1. The highest concentration of toxins is found in top carnivores because organisms at each higher trophic level consume those below them to meet their energy needs. As a result, substances like DDT gradually accumulate and become more concentrated at successive trophic levels.
2. Predators at higher levels, such as fish, birds, and marine mammals, accumulate larger and more harmful amounts of toxic substances compared to organisms lower in the food chain. Although all animals are exposed to these chemicals, seabirds are often more seriously affected than other organisms.
3. This phenomenon is known as biomagnification.