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The Role of Ecotoxicology in Determining the Environmental Effects of Organic Chemicals

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Organic Contaminants in the Environment

Part of the book series: Environmental Management Series ((EMISS,volume 19))

Abstract

Truhaut has defined ecotoxicology as ‘the branch of toxicology concerned with the study of toxic effects, caused by natural or synthetic pollutants, to the constituents of ecosystems, animal (including human), vegetable and microbial, in an integral context’.1 Moriarty has clarified this definition by stating that ‘toxicology is concerned with effects on single organisms; ecotoxicology is concerned with effects on ecosystems’.2 The ecotoxicologist is therefore faced with the task of devising laboratory and field tests from which the results can be used to predict the fate and effects of substances in more complex natural ecosystems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sittingbourne Research Centre, Shell Research Ltd, Kent, ME9 8AG, UK

    D. Bennett & A. E. Girling

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  1. D. Bennett
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  2. A. E. Girling
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  1. Institute of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA14YQ, UK

    K. C. Jones

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Bennett, D., Girling, A.E. (1991). The Role of Ecotoxicology in Determining the Environmental Effects of Organic Chemicals. In: Jones, K.C. (eds) Organic Contaminants in the Environment. Environmental Management Series, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4329-2_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4329-2_10

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