Disruption caused by toxicants can extend beyond individual organisms to affect entire ecosystems. For example, pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides can accumulate in the environment and disrupt food webs by affecting the health and reproduction of key species. This can lead to biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem structure and function. The disruption of biological processes in ecosystems can have cascading effects, ultimately impacting ecosystem services that are essential for human well-being.
