verb
- to accumulate and remain in the tissues of a living organism, especially in increasing concentrations up the food chain
Usage: commonly used in environmental science and toxicology; often used in passive voice or with reflexive sense
Examples
- Heavy metals bioaccumulate in fish tissues over time.
- Pesticides can bioaccumulate in the bodies of predators at the top of the food chain.
- PCBs bioaccumulate in marine mammals, reaching dangerous levels.
- Some toxic chemicals bioaccumulate faster in fatty tissues.
- Scientists study how pollutants bioaccumulate in ecosystems.
- The pesticide did not bioaccumulate significantly in the soil.
- Microplastics bioaccumulate in seabirds and other wildlife.