bioconcentration factor

The bioconcentration factor (BCF) is a measure used to assess how much a substance, like a chemical pollutant, accumulates in the tissues of living organisms, such as fish or plants, compared to the concentration of that substance in their environment, like water or soil. A higher BCF indicates that an organism absorbs and retains more of the substance, which can be a concern for ecosystems and human health, as it may lead to higher toxicity levels. Essentially, BCF helps scientists understand the potential risks of pollutants in food chains and natural habitats.