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Ecological Risk Assessment and Animal Models

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Environmental Toxicology

Abstract

An ecological risk assessment attempts to determine the effects of contaminants or other environmental stressors on individuals, populations, and communities of species. Although ecological risk assessments can be used for regulating chemicals and managing watersheds, the most typical use is for the study and remediation of contaminated sites. The organismal effects that can be examined vary considerably, depending on the ultimate use of the assessment, but most often focus on the organisms’ ability to survive, grow and develop appropriately, and reproduce. The choice of which organisms to use should be based on easily evaluated criteria, such as the ease of sampling a particular organism, ensuring that the organism can both respond to the toxicant or mixture of toxicants, and that the organismal response is graded with respect to increasing exposure concentrations and/or times.

This chapter was originally published as part of the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology edited by Robert A. Meyers. DOI:10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3

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Abbreviations

Bioaccumulation factor (BAF):

The concentration of contaminant in the organism divided by the concentration of the contaminant from all exposure sources, including water, air, soil, sediment, or food.

Bioconcentration factor (BCF):

The concentration of contaminant in the organism divided by the concentration of the contaminant in the water.

Biomarkers:

A quantifiable change in a biochemical, physiological, or histological parameter that can be used as a measure of response to a toxicant.

Biological survey:

A systemic gathering of information on the presence, abundance, and condition of species at a given site to assess the health of those organisms.

EPT index:

The number of organisms in the orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stonefiles), and Trichoptera (caddisflies). These orders are typically considered to be sensitive to contaminants.

LC50 :

The median lethal concentration, or the concentration of the medium that was lethal to 50% of the test organisms.

LOEC:

The lowest observed effect concentration, or the lowest concentration of test medium in which statistically significant toxic effects are seen.

NOEC:

No observed effect concentration, or the highest concentration of test medium in which no significant toxic effects are seen.

Toxicity test:

An assay in which organisms are exposed to soil, water, or air, and the effects of contaminants on processes such as survival, growth, and reproduction are determined.

Toxicogenomics:

Examining changes in gene expression, protein expression, and/or metabolite profiles in a response to an exposure by a toxicant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 132 Long Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA

    Lisa J. Bain

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  1. Lisa J. Bain
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Correspondence to Lisa J. Bain .

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  1. , School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803, Louisiana, USA

    Edward A. Laws

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Bain, L.J. (2013). Ecological Risk Assessment and Animal Models. In: Laws, E. (eds) Environmental Toxicology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5764-0_9

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