biomagnification

[ bahy-oh-mag-nuh-fi-key-shuh n ]
/ ˌbaɪ oʊˌmæg nə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

Origin of biomagnification

First recorded in 1970–75; bio- + magnification

Words nearby biomagnification

Scientific definitions for biomagnification

biomagnification
[ bī′ō-măg′nə-fĭ-kāshən ]

The increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain. As a result of biomagnification, organisms at the top of the food chain generally suffer greater harm from a persistent toxin or pollutant than those at lower levels. Compare bioaccumulation.