Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification Lab Background The concepts of bioaccumulation and biomagnification (or biological magnification) are often confused. The former is the increase in the concentration of a fat-soluble toxin within the tissue of organisms; the latter describes the increase in that toxin as you move up through a food chain. Whereas water-soluble toxins will simply be excreted, fat-soluble toxins remain within the tissues and organs of an organism so that when that organism is eaten the consumer ingests the toxin as well. Top-level consumers, such as Bald Eagles and other birds-of-prey, are especially vulnerable to the effects of biomagnifications. This activity will demonstrate the concept: