What does the term "biological magnification" refer to in marine environments?

Biological magnification refers to the process where certain substances, particularly toxins, increase in concentration at higher trophic levels within an ecosystem. In marine environments, when organisms at lower trophic levels, such as phytoplankton and small fish, consume toxins present in the water or through their food, these toxins accumulate in their bodies because they are often not easily metabolized or excreted. As larger predators consume these smaller organisms, the concentration of toxins rises significantly. This means that top predators, such as large fish, seals, and marine mammals, often have much higher levels of these harmful substances compared to organisms at lower levels. This can have serious ecological and health consequences, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing pollutants in marine ecosystems. The other options do not accurately represent the phenomenon of biological magnification; they either describe different ecological concepts or do not relate to toxin concentration dynamics.