bi·o·ac·cu·mu·la·tion (b   - -ky my-l  shn)n. The increase in the concentration of a substance, especially a contaminant, in an organism or in the food chain over time. |
bioaccumulation
process producing an increase in the concentration of chemicals (usually toxins) in the tissues of organisms with each increase in the trophic level in the food chain. Examples include chlorinated hydrocarbons which reach their greatest concentrations in predatory birds and pelicans, and ciguatera in which the toxins are concentrated in large predatory fish such as gropers, barracudas and mackerel.
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