Sekundärförgiftning

Sekundärförgiftning, also known as secondary poisoning or sometimes indirect poisoning, refers to the poisoning of an organism that consumes another organism that has previously been poisoned. This process occurs when a toxin, such as a pesticide or heavy metal, accumulates in the tissues of prey animals. When a predator consumes these poisoned prey, the toxin is transferred to the predator, potentially leading to illness or death.

The severity of secondary poisoning depends on several factors, including the type of toxin, its concentration in the prey, the amount of prey consumed by the predator, and the predator's own sensitivity to the toxin. Certain toxins are particularly prone to biomagnification, meaning their concentration increases as they move up the food chain, making top predators especially vulnerable.

Examples of secondary poisoning can be seen in wildlife populations exposed to rodenticides. For instance, birds of prey that consume rodents poisoned by anticoagulants can themselves ingest a lethal dose of the poison, leading to internal hemorrhaging. Similarly, cases have been reported where scavengers or predators consuming carcasses of poisoned animals have been affected. Understanding secondary poisoning is crucial for wildlife conservation and for managing the use of toxic substances in ecosystems to minimize adverse impacts on non-target species.