Ecotoxicology is the science that seeks to predict the impacts of chemi cals upon ecosystems. This involves describing and predicting ecological changes ensuing from a variety of human activities that involve release of xenobiotic and other chemicals to the environment. A fundamental principle of ecotoxicology is embodied in the notion of change. Ecosystems themselves are constantly changing due to natural processes, and it is a challenge to distinguish the effects of anthropogenic activities against this background of fluctuations in the natural world. With the frustratingly large, diverse, and ever-emerging sphere of envi ronmental problems that ecotoxicology must address, the approaches to individual problems also must vary. In part, as a consequence, there is no established protocol for application of the science to environmental prob lem-solving. The conceptual and methodological bases for ecotoxicology are, how ever, in their infancy, and thus still growing with new experiences. In deed, the only robust generalization for research on different ecosystems and different chemical stresses seems to be a recognition of the necessity of an ecosystem perspective as focus for assessment. This ecosystem basis for ecotoxicology was the major theme of a previous pUblication by the Ecosystems Research Center at Cornell University, a special issue of Environmental Management (Levin et al. 1984). With that effort, we also recognized an additional necessity: there should be a continued develop ment of methods and expanded recognition of issues for ecotoxicology and for the associated endeavor of environmental management.

Many books have now been published in the broad field of environmental toxicology. However, to date, none of have presented the often fascinating stories of the wildlife science, and the steps along the way from discovery of problems caused by environmental pollutants to the regulatory and non-regulatory efforts to address the problems. This book provides case by case examinations of how toxic chemical effects on wildlife have brought about policy and regulatory decisions, and positive changes in environmental conditions. Wild animal stories, whether they are about the disappearance of charismatic top predators, or of grossly deformed embryos or frogs, provide powerful symbols that can and have captured the public's imagination and have resulted in increased awareness by decision makers. It is the intent of this book to present factual and balanced overviews and summaries of the science and the subsequent regulatory processes that followed to effect change (or not). We cover a variety of chemicals and topics beginning with an update of the classic California coastal DDT story of eggshell thinning and avian reproduction to more recent cases, such as the veterinarian pharmaceutical that has brought three species of Asian vultures to the brink of extinction. Researchers, regulators, educators, NGOs and the general public will find valuable insights into the processes and mechanisms involved both in environmental scientific investigation and in efforts to effect positive change.

The tanning industry is a major source of pollution worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The major public concern over tanneries has traditionally been about odours and water pollution from untreated discharges. Important poll- ants associated with the tanning industry include chlorides, tannins, chromium, sulphate and sulphides as well as trace organic chemicals and, increasingly, synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, dyes and finishing agents, as well as solvents. These substances are frequently toxic and persistent, and affect both human and environmental health. The primary focus in this book was to identify the recently developed ecoto- cological analytical trends (rapid, simple and inexpensive) related to the tanning industry on terrestrial and aquatic systems. The resultant research data reported, incorporates both field related and laboratory based techniques to address under- ing environmental problems in the tanning sector. The book also includes a chapter to explore the occupational hazards in a tannery environment caused by conta- nated dust. It was important to note that an optical set-up involving microscopy and digital imaging techniques was initially used to determine dust particle numbers and size distributions as a preamble to ascertaining the dust toxicity levels.

A unique presentation that unifies the field, this book brings together concepts and information about contaminant effects at all levels of the biological hierarchy. Beginning at the biomolecular level, this book builds progressively toward a discussion of effects to the global biosphere. Emphasizing ecological components and fundamental paradigms, the authors strike a balance between the presentation of details relevant at each level and the integration of phenomena and processes among levels. A milestone in the field, the book is suitable for graduate courses, as well as a reference for professionals in the field.

Behavioural ecotoxicology is an emerging field dealing with the effects of environmental pollutants on the behaviour of animals. Behavioural techniques derived from experimental psychology, behavioural pharmacology and neurotoxicology are applied to detect and characterise changes in animals living in the environment exposed to various pollutants. Behavioural effects are then interpreted in an ecological context considering the long-term relevance of these changes at both the individual and population level.

Aquatic Ecotoxicology: Advancing Tools for Dealing with Emerging Risks presents a thorough look at recent advances in aquatic ecotoxicology and their application in assessing the risk of well-known and emerging environmental contaminants. This essential reference, brought together by leading experts in the field, guides users through existing and novel approaches to environmental risk assessment, then presenting recent advances in the field of ecotoxicology, including omics-based technologies, biomarkers, and reference species. The book then demonstrates how these advances can be used to design and perform assays to discover the toxicological endpoints of emerging risks within the aquatic environment, such as nanomaterials, personal care products, PFOS and chemical mixtures. The text is an invaluable reference for any scientist who studies the effects of contaminants on organisms that live within aquatic environments. - Provides the latest perspectives on emerging toxic risks to aquatic environments, such as nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals, chemical mixtures, and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) - Offers practical guidance on recent advances to help in choosing the most appropriate toxicological assay - Presents case studies and information on a variety of reference species to help put the ecotoxicological theory into practical risk assess

An increasing variety of biological problems involving resource management, conservation and environmental quality have been dealt with using the principles of population biology (defined to include population dynamics, genetics and certain aspects of community ecology). There appears to be a mixed record of successes and failures and almost no critical synthesis or reviews that have attempted to discuss the reasons and ways in which population biology, with its remarkable theoretical as well as experimental advances, could find more useful application in agriculture, forestry, fishery, medicine and resource and environmental management. This book provides examples of state-of-the-art applications by a distinguished group of researchers in several fields. The diversity of topics richly illustrates the scientific and economic breadth of their discussions as well as epistemological and comparative analyses by the authors and editors. Several principles and common themes are emphasized and both strengths and potential sources of uncertainty in applications are discussed. This volume will hopefully stimulate new interdisciplinary avenues of problem-solving research.