Bioconcentration
Bioconcentration (pronunciation: /ˌbaɪoʊkənˌsɛntreɪʃən/) is a term used in Environmental Science and Toxicology to describe the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in an organism from the environment.
Etymology
The term "Bioconcentration" is derived from the prefix 'bio-' meaning life and 'concentration' meaning the action or power of focusing one's attention or mental effort.
Definition
Bioconcentration refers to the process by which a chemical concentration in an aquatic organism exceeds that in water as a result of exposure to a waterborne chemical. It is a key factor in Ecotoxicology, the study of harmful effects of chemicals on the ecological system.
Bioconcentration Factor
The degree of bioconcentration in an organism is measured by the Bioconcentration Factor (BCF). BCF is a ratio of a substance's concentration in an organism to its concentration in the ambient environment, under steady-state conditions.
Related Terms
- Biomagnification: It refers to the process by which the concentration of a substance increases in the food chain.
- Bioaccumulation: It is the gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism.
- Ecotoxicology: It is the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms, especially at the population, community, ecosystem level.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bioconcentration
- Wikipedia's article - Bioconcentration
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