What is bioaccumulation?

Bioaccumulation refers to the ability of organisms to absorb and store chemicals, such as pesticides, from their environment over time. As organisms take in these substances, they often accumulate them in their tissues at concentrations higher than those found in the surrounding environment. This phenomenon occurs because the rate of intake of the chemical surpasses the rate at which it is eliminated from the organism’s body.

In the context of pest management and ecological health, understanding bioaccumulation is critical, as it can lead to increased levels of harmful substances in the food chain, potentially impacting not just individual organisms but entire ecosystems. This process underscores the importance of monitoring and regulating the use of chemicals to mitigate their effects on wildlife and human health.

The other options describe different processes, such as the breakdown of chemicals, reduction processes in plants, or the transfer of chemicals within food webs, but they do not capture the essence of bioaccumulation, which specifically involves storage in an organism's tissues.