Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Pollution

Book excerpt: Pollution and its control are now one of the most serious problems in environmental management, affecting localized areas, regions, and, increasingly, the entire ecosphere. Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Pollution provides a basic understanding of the chemical, toxicological, and ecological factors involved when major classes of pollutants act on natural systems. The nature and effects of these pollutants are examined from the primary level of their sources and chemical properties, through their interactions in the environment, to their ultimate ecological effects on organisms and ecosystems. Pollutants are divided into groups, with similar properties, and then the chemistry and ecotoxicology of each group is defined. More importantly, in collating and evaluating available information on pollution processes, the book develops unifying theories on the fundamental chemical and ecological nature of pollution processes. The book uses a conceptual framework to evaluate the impact of pollutants on the components and functions of natural ecosystems. It is based on the chemical and physical properties of a pollutant, its environmental behavior and fate, exposure to and toxic effects on organisms, their populations, communities, and responses of affected ecosystems. This sequence can be applied to known, potential, and emerging pollutants of concern. As government initiatives for the control of chemicals take greater effects, pollution research, particularly in ecotoxicology, will be further developed. Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Pollution helps play an important role in determining the future direction of research activities in environmental management and pollution control on a worldwide scale. It is a basic resource for students (e.g. environmental chemistry, ecology, land and water management, environmental or public health, environmental engineering, and sustainability science), scientists, researchers, policy makers, and professionals in need of a clear understanding of the nature and effects of environmental pollution from an ecological perspective.