Question 1

Multiple choiceMedium1 mark

A survey measured the mean concentrations of DDT and mercury in the tissues of consumers at trophic levels 2–5 in a lake. Which interpretation is supported by the graph?

234500.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9Trophic levelMean concentration in tissue / mg kg-1DDTmercury
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Biomagnification is an increase in pollutant concentration in consumer tissues at higher trophic levels. Both plotted concentrations rise from level 2 to level 5; at level 5, DDT is 0.8 mg kg−1 and mercury is 0.4 mg kg−1, so DDT is higher. A: recognizes the rising trends but reverses the comparison at level 5. C: follows the DDT trend but misses that mercury also increases, from 0.1 to 0.4 mg kg−1. D: recognizes both rising trends but reads the two level-5 values as equal. Remember: biomagnification is indicated by pollutant concentration increasing across higher trophic levels.

More D4.2 Stability and change questions