What environmental catastrophe was largely responsible for replacement of the dilution paradigm by the boomerang paradigm?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The accumulation of the pesticide DDT in birds at the top of the food web shifted environmental thinking from the dilution paradigm, which assumed nature could dilute pollutants, to the boomerang paradigm, highlighting how pollutants return to impact humans and wildlife. This was notably evidenced by the biomagnification of DDT, leading to thinning eggshells and declining bird populations, demonstrating the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the consequences of pollution.

What Environmental Catastrophe Was Largely Responsible for Replacement of the Dilution