Biokontsentratsioon

Biokontsentratsioon refers to the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or heavy metals, in living organisms. This process occurs when an organism absorbs a substance at a rate faster than it can metabolize or excrete it. The concentration of the substance increases within the organism's tissues over time. Biokontsentratsioon is distinct from biomagnification, which describes the increasing concentration of a substance in organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain. However, biokontsentratsioon is often the initial step that leads to biomagnification. Factors influencing the rate of biokontsentratsioon include the organism's metabolic rate, the chemical properties of the substance (such as its solubility and persistence), and the environmental concentration of the substance. Organisms living in polluted environments are particularly susceptible to higher levels of biokontsentratsioon, which can have detrimental effects on their health and reproductive success. Understanding biokontsentratsioon is crucial for assessing the risks posed by environmental contaminants to both individual organisms and entire ecosystems. It helps in setting environmental quality standards and developing strategies for pollution control and remediation.