A hands-on approach to understanding the impact of local and global stresses on ecosystems
Ecotoxicology: A Case-based Approach follows a “learning by doing” approach, building a deeper understanding of this multi-faceted discipline through the guided analysis of five carefully selected case studies that between them address both local and global anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem structure and function.
The book is divided into three sections. Section I covers the definition, history and methodology of ecotoxicology. Section II comprises five case studies, each detailing a selected anthropogenic stress, showing how the ecotoxicological approach has been used to explain its environmental impact and by doing so has provided mitigation and restoration strategies. The final section highlights future directions of ecotoxicology. To aid in reader learning, each chapter includes a test bank and reading list for further study.
Written by a highly experienced instructor with more than 30 years of studying and teaching the subject, Ecotoxicology includes case studies on: - Acid rain in the past and in the present - Finfish and shellfish aquaculture - The tar sands of Canada, as an example of the consequences of oil and gas extraction - The release of toxic metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, and the dumping of chemical wastes and other contaminants of concern in the Great Lakes area
Ecotoxicology: A Case-based Approach is an essential guide for upper undergraduate and postgraduate students in ecology and environmental sciences, as well as professionals and policy makers concerned with the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
Ecotoxicology: A Case-based Approach follows a “learning by doing” approach, building a deeper understanding of this multi-faceted discipline through the guided analysis of five carefully selected case studies that between them address both local and global anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem structure and function.
The book is divided into three sections. Section I covers the definition, history and methodology of ecotoxicology. Section II comprises five case studies, each detailing a selected anthropogenic stress, showing how the ecotoxicological approach has been used to explain its environmental impact and by doing so has provided mitigation and restoration strategies. The final section highlights future directions of ecotoxicology. To aid in reader learning, each chapter includes a test bank and reading list for further study.
Written by a highly experienced instructor with more than 30 years of studying and teaching the subject, Ecotoxicology includes case studies on: - Acid rain in the past and in the present - Finfish and shellfish aquaculture - The tar sands of Canada, as an example of the consequences of oil and gas extraction - The release of toxic metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, and the dumping of chemical wastes and other contaminants of concern in the Great Lakes area
Ecotoxicology: A Case-based Approach is an essential guide for upper undergraduate and postgraduate students in ecology and environmental sciences, as well as professionals and policy makers concerned with the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
Table of Contents
SECTION I: ECOTOXICOLOGY IN CONTEXT
Chapter 1 Introduction to Ecotoxicology, Definition, Book Overview
Chapter 2 Circular versus Linear
2.1 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Toxicology2.2 The forgotten chapter of DDT
2.3 The origins of toxicity testing as the keystone to Environmental Toxicology
Problems and Recommended Reading
Chapter 3 Life
3.1 Introduction: The equation for life on this planet3.2 Life and the wonder of the biodiversity our planet holds
Problems and Recommended Reading
Chapter 4 Evolution of Ecotoxicology; The study of anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem structure and function
4.1 Introduction4.2 What do the species do in ecosystems?
4.3 What is Ecosystem Structure?
4.4 What is Ecosystem Function?
4.5 Ecotoxicology placed within the framework of Ecosystem structure and function
Problems and Recommended Reading
SECTION II: CASE STUDIES
Chapter 5 Acid Deposition within the Framework of Ecotoxicology
5.1 Introduction5.2 What were the fundamental geochemical functions being altered and what were the consequences?
5.3 Putting together the lines of evidence proving that acid deposition was responsible for the destruction of both aquatic and terrestrial communities
5.4 What was happening in the aquatic systems? Why this region of North America, the LaCloche Mountains?
5.5 General observations of what was happening in acidified systems
5.6 Denial
5.7 Recovery of acidified lakes
5.8 Revisiting Acid Rain today
5.9 Summary
Problems and Recommended Reading
Chapter 6 Application of the Science of Ecotoxicology in Understanding the Impacts of Toxic Metals on Ecosystem Structure and Function
6.1 Introduction6.2 Mercury
6.3 Lead
6.4 Cadmium
6.5 Summary: Moving forward
Problems and Recommended Reading
Chapter 7 Aquaculture
7.1 Introduction7.2 Salmon Aquaculture with emphasis on coastal British Columbia
7.3 Enter Aquaculture
7.4 Shellfish Aquaculture
7.5 Chapter Summary
Problems and Recommended Reading
Chapter 8 Big Oil
8.1 Introduction8.2 What are the environmental impacts of mining the oil sands?
8.3 The Paradox
8.4 The reality of Reclamation and Restoration
8.5 Chapter summary
Problems and Recommended Reading
Chapter 9 The Dark Side of Carbon
9.1 Introduction9.2 The Love Canal
9.3 State of the Great Lakes
9.4 Chapter Summary
Problems and Recommended Reading
SECTION III: THE FUTURE OF ECOTOXICOLOGY
Chapter 10 Where To Now?
10.1 Introduction10.2 What is an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)?
10.3 Challenges Ahead
10.4 Future Directions in Ecotoxicology
10.5 An Opportunity
10.6 Chapter Summary
Problems and Recommended Reading
