Which process describes how pesticides accumulate in an individual organism due to repeated exposure?

Bioaccumulation refers to the process by which an individual organism absorbs and retains pesticides or other chemicals from its environment at a rate faster than it can eliminate them. This accumulation occurs through various pathways, such as absorption through the skin, ingestion, or breathing in contaminated air or water. Over time, with repeated exposure to the pesticide, the concentration of the chemical in the organism can increase significantly, leading to potentially harmful effects.

In contrast, biomagnification pertains to the increasing concentration of the substance as it moves up the food chain, affecting predator species that consume multiple prey organisms. Leaching and seepage are processes related to the movement of chemicals through soil and water systems, rather than accumulation within an individual organism. Thus, bioaccumulation is the correct term to describe the specific scenario of repeated exposure leading to increased concentrations of pesticides within a single organism.