Biomagnification is a significant problem in aquatic communities. The amounts of chemicals magnify (increase or accumulate) at each new link in a food chain. Use the following information to calculate the level of chemical X in the large-mouth bass. One small plant can accumulate 1 unit of chemical X. A microscopic animal eats 15 small plants. A minnow consumes 10 microscopic animals, a large-mouth bass consumes 20 minnows.

Question

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Each microscopic animal accumulates 15 units (1 unit per plant x 15 plants). Each minnow consumes 10 microscopic animals, accumulating 150 units (15 units x 10). Each large-mouth bass consumes 20 minnows, accumulating 3,000 units (150 units x 20).

Biomagnification Is a Significant Problem in Aquatic Communities