Bigger isn't better....biomagnification

To the many people that live around the coast fish is a staple food to them.Not only them ,most people in the world also love to eat fish or have it as a protein supplement to their dishes.In recent times doctors are even advocating for us to eat fish than meat because of it nomerous health benefits and its low cholesterol levels.But little do we care about what the fishes and the aquatic animals eat to survive,neither do we care about the sensitive environment in which they live.All we care about is how to get the fish and that means taking big boats and Cannons to the oceans ,lakes and rivers to harvest the fish stocks. The big question is do we know that what the fishes eat also has a big impact on our lives so far us our health is concerned? As we continue to pollute the ocean with poisonous liquid waste,untreated sewage and oil spills from the ballast of ships.we are indirect poisoning our very food which is a favourite to the majority of us human beings.So my fellow steemians today i wil walk you through the step by step processes of how some pollutants get into our bodies from the fishes or the food we eat . .....keep reading to discover how this happens.

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Biomagnification
This is the process were by toxic substances is transferred from one organism to another usually on higher as it goes up the food chain.The pollution of the sea by industries and individuals have become the order of the day ,this pollutants are normally not decomposed but rather the settle deep down at the bottom of the ocean waters.The aquatic animals do not come out of the ocean to feed which find their food in the sea.So the tiny aquatic species feed on the pollutants that settled at the bottom of the ocean and because this toxic substances aren't biodegradable they remain in body of the organism when ingested.This tiny species are then eaten by the smaller aquatic.The smaller aquatic organism is then eaten by a bigger aquatic animal,but by this time the bigger fish might more of the smaller fish before it could get satisfied.As the cycle continues the biggest fish in the ocean also feed on the bigger fish .The biggest might feed about ten of the bigger fish hence it has indirectly eaten more of the toxic pollutants.

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Then finally we the gargantuan or giant predators now go and harvest the fish.But mind you this fishes have been contaminated because they have eaten a toxic substance that is still in their system.So this toxic substance will also be transferred into our when we feed on this fishes.So the more fish you consume the more toxic substance you have taken into your body indirectly.If you come from my part of the world having your plate served food with more fish or meat is a sign of good living and people like to pride themselves with that.
Now imagine the amount of toxic substances we consume into our bodies each day as we continue to pollute the ocean and other water bodiesThe waste products we damp into the oceans seems to disappear,to that us we think that is the end but that's just the beginning of the story because pollutants find their way into the food chain and back to the plates of people.

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Causes of biomagnification
Agricultural activities
The chemicals used in the farming activities to increase crop yields ,control diseases and get to rid of pest also contribute to the collection of toxic chemicals.when these chemicals are used on the farm they find their way into the soil and water bodies .Not only are they harmful to the aquatic environment but also harmful to the plants as well.The plants also absorb some of this chemicals into its system which becomes part of the fruits or tubers produced.And when we eat this farm produce we are indirectly taking the toxic chemicals into our bodies.

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Organic waste substances
In many developing countries the oceans are the final disposal site for most liquid waste including faecal matter.This waste products are damp into the ocean without first treating it.Also many pharmaceutical and personal care companies also damp their was products into the ocean environment contributing to the biomagnification.

Ilegal mining activities
Most of the mining found along our river bodies wash all their waste into the water bodies.Not only that dangerous chemicals like Mercury used to extract the gold from the soil is also washed into our water bodies.And more to the point this mining lead to the enormous release of selenium into the oceans and other coastal areas around the world.This toxic substances released into oceans are later absorbed by aquatic organisms.

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effects of biomagnification on our health
Biomagnification lead to several diseases such kidney problems,cancers,birth defects and many heart related diseases.

Negative impact on the reproduction and development of marine organisms
This toxic pollutants destroy the eggs of the aquatic species which might lead to it not hatching at all.The toxic pollutants in the oceans get accumulated in the most sensitive organs of this aquatic animals making it impossible for reproduction to take place.

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It leads to the destruction of the food chain
The tiny aquatic organisms that feed on the toxic chemicals are mostly feed by other bigger organisms because the aquatic animals normally feed on some other.so toxic substances becomes part of the food chain .

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Control of biomagnification
Institutions using toxic substances must play their role well
companies that use this toxic substances in their operations should abide by the guidelines and procedures given the Environmental Protection Agency.The Environmental Protection Agency should also do follow up to ensure the right thing is done.

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Cleaning of contaminated local areas
Places that have been polluted with certain types of should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent the spread the of chemicals.The government should ensure that people living there are moved to safety places ,this should be done in a way that would prevent future occurrences.

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Minimising the use of certain heavy metal or completely ban some
Most of the heavy metals used in the mining activities should be banned due to their serious health threat to the public.Also companies that produces those heavy metals should be banned for good.
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