How Do Chemical Bonds Affect Environmental Persistence and Bioaccumulation?
The environmental behavior of toxic substances is greatly influenced by their chemical bonds:
- Persistence: Strong covalent bonds can lead to environmental persistence, as these molecules resist breakdown by natural processes. This persistence is a significant concern for substances like PCBs and DDT.
- Bioaccumulation: Stable molecules with specific bond structures may accumulate in living organisms over time, particularly if they are lipophilic, leading to higher concentrations in the food chain.
