Which of the following describes bioaccumulation?

Bioaccumulation refers specifically to the process where living organisms absorb and accumulate substances, such as pesticides, from their environment over time, primarily through their diet. As these organisms consume food that contains pesticides, the concentration of these chemicals can build up in their tissues. This is particularly concerning because the levels of pesticides can often reach harmful amounts, leading to adverse health effects for the organism, and can also have ramifications for the ecosystem, as predators further up the food chain consume these contaminated organisms.

The process of pesticides breaking down in soil refers to biodegradation or chemical breakdown, which does not involve accumulation in organisms. The dispersion during volatilization involves pesticides transitioning from a liquid or solid state to a gas, which also does not relate to accumulation in biological entities. Lastly, the adsorption of pesticides onto soil particles describes a physical interaction where pesticides adhere to soil rather than being absorbed by living organisms, and thus does not capture the essence of bioaccumulation either.