What's the process of DDT passing on through the food web called?

gonnzo

Biomagnification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomagnification Sep 04 10, 11:08 PM

redwood

"Bioaccumulation" Since first synthesized in 1873, DDT was effective against the mosquito, thereby effective eradicating malaria in Europe and North America. The problem was that it remained persistent in the environment, with a half-life of 26 days in water, and 15 years within soil. As exposure to the chemical "accumulated" in lower forms, it traveled up the food chain to larger organisms. Even in lesser amounts, it was found to cause thinning of eggshells in raptors, and high levels of oestragen in alligators, resulting in low sperm count, and deformed genitalia. It has not been proven to be particularly harmful to humans, but its effects within the food chain were written about in the 1962 book "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, and was the basis for the environmental movement. Many nations find that the benefits of DDT outweigh its potential harm, and there remains a good deal of controversy over the use of DDT. Sep 04 10, 11:19 PM