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bioaccumulate

British  
/ ˌbaɪəʊəˈkjuːmʊˌleɪt /

verb

  1. (of substances, esp toxins) to build up within the tissues of organisms

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Example Sentences

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“It’s really concerning when you think about flame retardants, because they’re known to bioaccumulate in our bodies,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2024

There’s also evidence that these small particles bioaccumulate, or grow more concentrated as they move up the food chain from one organism to the next.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2024

Toxic dyes can also bioaccumulate in the fishes' fatty tissue, presenting health risks to humans and animals throughout the food chain.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2023

The treaty identifies "persistent" chemicals — those that stay in the environment for a long time and can bioaccumulate up the food chain.

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2021

These plastic fibers have the potential to bioaccumulate, concentrating toxins in the bodies of larger animals, higher up the food chain.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 20, 2016

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