Question

Use of pesticides to protect our crops affect organisms at various trophic levels especially human beings. Name the phenomenon involved and explain how does it happen.

Answer 1

The phenomenon involved is biomagnification.
How It Happens:
• Pesticides are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment. When sprayed on crops, they accumulate in the soil and water bodies.
• Small organisms like plankton ingest these pesticides. As larger organisms consume these smaller ones, the concentration of pesticides increases at each successive trophic level.
• At the top of the food chain, humans and large predators accumulate the highest levels of these toxic substances, leading to health issues such as nervous disorders, cancer, and reproductive problems.