Bioaccumulation – Marine Community DDT

Activity Summary
Some toxins can bioaccumulate within a biological community or food chain, poisoning top level predators. In this activity, students simulate the accumulation of DDT in a marine community. They begin on the microbial level and trace the path of DDT to a top level predator to examine the effects of this chemical on the entire community and food chain.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Demonstrate how DDT bioaccumulates in a community
2. Analyze the amounts of DDT at each tropic level
3. Create a trophic pyramid diagram

Lesson Materials (view or download)
PowerPoint
Lesson Plans

Keywords
trophic pyramid, marine biology, food chain

Last updated: 3/6/2015