Bioaccumulation Encyclopedia Article

Bioaccumulation

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

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Bioaccumulation

The general term for describing the accumulation of chemicals in the tissue of organisms. The chemicals that bioaccumulate are most often organic chemicals that are very soluble in fat and lipids and are slow to degrade. Usually used in reference to aquatic organisms, bioaccumulation occurs from exposure to contaminated water (e.g., gill uptake by fish) or by consuming food that has accumulated the chemical (e.g., food chain/web transfer). Bioaccumulation of chemicals in fish has resulted in public health consumption advisories in some areas, and has affected the health of certain fish-eating wildlife including eagles, cormorants, terns, and mink.