Gourt > Science > Biology > Ecology > Ecotoxicology (8)
The term "ecotoxicology" was coined by Truhaut in 1969, who defined it 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” (Truhaut, 1977). Ecotoxicology is alleged to be the integration of toxicology and ecology or, as Chapman (2002) suggested “ecology in the presence of toxicants”. It aims to predict the effects upon natural communities - ‘the ecosystem’- of stressors, be they anthropogenic in origin or otherwise. It differs from Environmental Toxicology in that it integrates the effects of stressors across all levels of biological organisation from the molecular to whole communities and ecosystems.
The publication of Rachel Carson's seminal volume, Silent Spring, in 1962 catalysed the separation of environmental toxicology- and, subsequently, ecotoxicology- from classical toxicology. The revolutionary element in Carson's work was her extrapolation from single-organism effects to effects at the whole ecosystem and the "balance of nature" (Bazerman et al., 2006). This systemic study is distinctly separate to the anthropocentric nature of classical toxicology and consequently ecotoxicology is a far broader discipline incorporating aspects of classical ecology, behavioural ecology, toxicology, physiology, molecular biology, environmental chemistry and a wealth of other disciplines in studying the movement of toxins through an ecosystem.
More on [ Ecotoxicology ]
Agrochemicals
Agrochemicals :: Pesticides
Preventive Medicine & Public Health
Pests and Diseases :: Agriculture
Toxicology :: Biology
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Health :: Environment
Health :: Environment
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Clean water should be recognized as a human right. At the March 2009 United Nations meetings coinciding with the World Water Forum, a declaration that would recognize water as a basic human right was defeated. In this month's Editorial, the PLoS Medicine Editors argue that access to clean water should be declared a basic human right for three reasons. First, access to clean water can substantially reduce the global burden of disease caused by water-borne infections. Second, the privatization of water—as witnessed in Bolivia, Ghana, and other countries—has not effectively served the poor, who suffer the most from lack of access to clean water. Third, the prospect of global water scarcity—exacerbated by climate change, industrial pollution, and population growth—means that no country is immune to a water crisis.Image Credit: Rudhach at flickr.com
Seasonal Hunger: A Neglected Problem with Proven Solutions
Bapu Vaitla et al. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Clean Water Should Be Recognized as a Human Right
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Can We âHedgeâ against the Development of Antiviral Resistance among Pandemic Influenza Viruses?
David K. Shay et al. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
David K. Shay and Benjamin Ridenhour discuss a modeling study predicting that stockpiling a secondary antiviral for use early in a flu pandemic can forestall resistance to the primary stockpiled drug.
Pralidoxime in Acute Organophosphorus Insecticide PoisoningâA Randomised Controlled Trial
Michael Eddleston et al. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
In a randomized controlled trial of individuals who had taken organophosphorus insecticides, Michael Eddleston and colleagues find that there is no evidence that the addition of the antidote pralidoxime offers benefit over atropine and supportive care.
What Is the Optimal Therapy for Patients with H5N1 Influenza?
Nicholas J. White et al. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Nicholas White discusses optimal dosing of oseltamivir, Robert Webster and Elena Govorkova discuss combination antiviral therapy, and Timothy Uyeki discusses clinical care of patients with H5N1.
EurekAlert! - Biology
Study identifies how tamoxifen stimulates uterine cell growth and cancer
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400
(University of California - San Francisco) University of California - San Francisco researchers have identified a new "feed-forward" pathway linking estrogen receptors in the membrane of the uterus to a process that increases local estrogen levels and promotes cell growth.
'Genetic arms race' between bacteria, viruses subject of stimulus grant
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400
(Michigan State University) The oceans teem with microscopic bacteria that produce much of Earth's oxygen as they absorb carbon dioxide greenhouse gas. But fast-mutating viruses also populate the seas, attacking marine bacteria in an ages-old evolutionary arms race. A Michigan State University researcher will probe that ancient dynamic against the backdrop of environmental and climate change, and the pivotal role played by aquatic bacteria in maintaining the Earth's biological balance.
Learning from locusts
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400
(Queen's University) A similarity in brain disturbance between insects and people suffering from migraines, stroke and epilepsy points the way toward new drug therapies to address these conditions.
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme - Information about studies of contaminants in the Arctic environment, including sources, transport, and effects on biota and humans.
Meta Description: [ The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) is an international organization established in 1991 to implement components of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS). ]
Bioassessment and Biocriteria - U.S. EPA website includes a primer and FAQs on biological criteria and their application, guidelines on their use in aquatic ecosystems, case studies, and links/contacts for additional information.
Meta Description: [ EPA's resource for information on Biological Criteria, Assessment, and Indicators ]
California Wildlife Exposure Factor and Toxicity Database - Search a compilation of exposure factors (i.e., ecological and physiological data) and toxicity data for a number of California mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
Did PCB's Save the Stripers? A Fish Story - New York Times article about the fact that striped bass are thriving in the Hudson River because PCBs deter fishing, even though PCBs actually are harmful to the fish. However, fish in Newark Harbor have adapted to contaminants. [Requires free registration.]
Ecological Risk Analysis Tools and Applications - Information for use in conducting ecological screening and baseline risk assessments, from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Ecotoxicology-L Archives - Provides discussion list focusing on risk assessment and ecotoxicology issues. On line LISTSERV at Virginia Tech.
Environmental Contaminants Encyclopedia - General information about 118 elements, compounds, and products. U.S. National Park Service, February 1998.
Meta Description: [ Natural Resource Hazards and Visitor Safety in Parks ]
Environmental Toxicology Laboratory - ETL has developed a innovative environmental technology, the Tetramitus Assay. This bioassay detects toxicity in sediment, whole water and other samples.
European Network Bioindication - Assess air quality by the use of bioindicator plants in eleven European cities. Provides information about the project, news, resources and results.
Meta Description: [ European network for the assessment of air quality by the use of bioindicator plants ]
EXTOXNET - The EXtension TOXicology NETwork - Fully searchable and selectively retrievable databases of pesticide toxicology and environmental chemistry information.
500
Graduate Study in Toxicology at Iowa State University - Nationally recognized toxicology research are the foundation of the Interdepartmental Graduate Major in Toxicology at Iowa State University. Graduate degrees are offered at the master of science and doctor of philosophy levels.
IPMRC Ecotoxicology Page - General introduction to ecotoxicology and information about its role in pest management.
Jason Conder's Ecotoxicology Research - Information on heavy metals research, career vitae, and links to other ecotoxicology sites. Research on bioavailability, toxicity, and environmental fate of TNT in aquatic sediments and heavy metal bioavailability in soil.
Lemnatec - Provides ecotoxicology testing products and services. Describes the Lemna (duckweed) bioassay test for detecting and evaluating hazardous substances in ecosystems.
Meta Description: [ LemnaTec Image processing in Biology, HTS, Colony Counter, Screening, lemna ]
MitoScan Rapid Mitochondria-based Bioassays - Toxicity test kits for diverse applications in environmental eco-toxicity monitoring, effluent management and product safety screening using a rapid mitochondria-based biosensor.
Meta Description: [ Corporation markets its MitoScan toxicity test kits for diverse applications in environmental eco-toxicity monitoring, effluent management and product safety screening using a rapid mitochondria-based biosensor ]
Pequitec - Specialists for the supply and construction of ecotoxicology testing equipment and agricultural research equipment.
Meta Description: [ Specialists for the supply and construction of ecotoxicology testing equipment and agricultural research ]
University of Antwerp Laboratory for Ecophysiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology - Provides information on research.
Unknown Contaminant Found In Seabird Eggs - Researchers found an unidentified organohalogen contaminant in the eggs of Atlantic and Pacific Ocean seabirds. If a marine organism is the source, this would be the first instance of a naturally produced organohalogen accumulating in the eggs of wild birds.
Meta Description: [ A previously unknown contaminant, similar to PCBs and dioxins, and suspected to be of marine origin, has been found in the eggs of Atlantic and Pacific Ocean seabirds. If a marine organism is proven to be the source, it would be the first instance of a naturally produced organohalogen accumulatin... ]
Working Group Ecotoxicology - Provides information on program at the Dresden University of Technology Institute of Hydrobiology.
Meta Description: [ Dresden University of Technology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Ecotoxicology ]
| Nematostella vectensis (sea anemone) | |
| Next Video | |
