Sustaining Our Water Resources

Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation is the build-up of harmful chemicals such as pesticides inside the body of a living organism. It occurs when an organism absorbs the chemicals at a faster rate than it can be used or metabolized, and the longer the chemicals stay in the body, it becomes poisonous. It occurs mainly within the primary producers, such as phytoplankton (Hawker, 2018). Everyone needs to understand the term bioaccumulation because harmful substances result from a contaminated environment. For example, excessive use of fertilizers is washed down to the rivers by rainwater, and they stick in phytoplankton, which is then consumed by zooplankton, and the food web above it is affected. With proper understanding, people will engage in activities that are not harmful to the environment (Connell, 2018).

The presence of organisms in an ecosystem depends on both the living and non-living factors, and human beings are dependent on these organisms. When toxins enter the food chain, the whole ecosystem is in danger (Connell, 2018). For example, plants absorb pollutants, which are then eaten by primary consumers. Since the toxins are not secreted, the secondary consumers absorb all the toxins likewise to the tertiary consumers. At each trophic level of the food chain, toxins accumulate in the animal’s body tissue, which is dangerous. For example, when mercury, which is also a toxic substance, gets into the food chain, it damages the reproductive and nervous systems of mammals and human beings included.  According to the center for diseases control, high levels of harmful chemicals in people, newborns, and even mother’s milk have been reported (Hawker, 2018).

To help in resolving the issue of bioaccumulation, I will engage in community programs aimed at cleaning the contaminated locale and environment rehabilitation. Secondly, I will ensure that my household chemicals, medications, oil, or grease are disposed of properly. Also, I will use phosphate bleaches for laundry since they lack metal traces. Cleaning products, such as Triclosan, contain unsafe ingredients. When drained to the water system treatment, the facilities will not filter all the chemicals, and they end up the water ecosystem where they endanger the aquatic organisms.

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References

Connell, D. W. (2018). General characteristics of organic compounds which exhibit bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation of Xenobiotic Compounds, 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351070126-3

Hawker, D. W. (2018). Bioaccumulation of metallic substances and organometallic compounds. Bioaccumulation of Xenobiotic Compounds, 187-207. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351070126-8