Introduction to Ecotoxicology

Environmental pollution is one of the most serious threats to thefuture health of our planet. A wide and ever increasing range ofchemicals from industry, agriculture, medicine and a host of othersources continue to contribute to the earth's chemical load.Governments have encountered great difficulties responding to thecrucial and immediate need for effective management. As a result, the new science of ecotoxicology has developed,which provides a broad conceptual framework for evaluating theeffects of chemicals in natural ecosystems. This book is aimed principally at undergraduate students whohave completed basic courses in both chemistry and biology. Ittakes a broad view of ecotoxicology starting with the nature,properties and behaviour of environmental toxicants, and extends todose/response relationships and effects on organisms, populations,communities and ecosystems. Importantly, it also addressesenvironmental management areas such as biomarkers, biomonitoring,ecological risk assessment and the ecotoxicology and management ofchemicals. The book provides an invaluable overview of the subject forstudents taking courses in ecotoxicology and environmentalpollution, as well as wider degree programmes in biology, ecology,wildlife management, environmental science, environmental impactassessment, toxicology, pollution, chemical engineering, civilengineering, sanitation engineering and related subjects.