Marine Ecotoxicology

Marine Ecotoxicology: Current Knowledge and Future Issues is the first unified resource to cover issues related to contamination, responses, and testing techniques of saltwater from a toxicological perspective. With its unprecedented focus on marine environments and logical chapter progression, this book is useful to graduate students, ecotoxicologists, risk assessors, and regulators involved or interested in marine waters.

As human interaction with these environments increases, understanding of the pollutants and toxins introduced into the oceans becomes ever more critical, and this book builds a foundation of knowledge to assist scientists in studying, monitoring, and making decisions that affect both marine environments and human health.

A team of world renowned experts provide detailed analyses of the most common contaminants in marine environments and explain the design and purpose of toxicity testing methods, while exploring the future of ecotoxicology studies in relation to the world’s oceans. As the threat of increasing pollution in marine environments becomes an ever more tangible reality, Marine Ecotoxicology offers insights and guidance to mitigate that threat.

• Provides practical tools and methods for assessing and monitoring the accumulation and effects of contaminants in marine environments
• Unites world renowned experts in marine ecotoxicology to deliver thorough and diverse perspectives
• Builds the foundation required for risk assessors and regulators to adequately assess and monitor the impact of pollution in marine environments
• Offers helpful insights and guidance to graduate students, ecotoxicologists, risk assessors, and regulators interested in mitigating threats to marine waters

Ecotoxicologists, risk assessors and regulators interested in marine environments; graduate students in marine and toxicology programs, environmental chemists

Chapter 1. Contaminants in the Marine Environment

• 1.1. Introduction
• 1.2. Sources and Properties
• 1.3. Analytical Approaches
• 1.4. Occurrence in the Marine Environment
• 1.5. Microplastics in the Marine Environment
• 1.6. Future Trends
• 1.7. Conclusions

Chapter 2. Contemporary Methods for Statistical Design and Analysis

• 2.1. Introduction
• 2.2. Toxicity Measures
• 2.3. Design Considerations
• 2.4. Data Processing and Handling
• 2.5. Estimation and Inference
• 2.6. Concentration–Response Modeling
• 2.7. Species Sensitivity Distribution Modeling
• 2.8. Statistical Software Tools for Ecotoxicology
• 2.9. Future Possibilities

Chapter 3. Dynamic Modeling for Uptake and Effects of Chemicals

• 3.1. Introduction
• 3.2. General Modeling Principles
• 3.3. Toxicokinetics
• 3.4. General Introduction on Toxicodynamics
• 3.5. Effects on Survival
• 3.6. Effects on Sublethal Endpoints
• 3.7. Population Level and Higher
• 3.8. Future Possibilities

Chapter 4. Bioaccumulation and Biomonitoring

• 4.1. General Principles of Bioaccumulation
• 4.2. Bioaccumulation Modeling
• 4.3. Kinetic Parameters
• 4.4. Application of Bioaccumulation Modeling
• 4.5. Biomonitoring
• 4.6. Principles of Biomonitoring and Some Considerations
• 4.7. Future Possibilities and Probabilities

Chapter 5. Biomarkers and Effects

• 5.1. Introduction
• 5.2. Biomarkers
• 5.3. High-Throughput Screening Techniques or “Omics”
• 5.4. Future Possibilities and Probabilities

Chapter 6. Saltwater Toxicity Tests

• 6.1. Introduction
• 6.2. Terminology
• 6.3. General Saltwater Toxicity Test Methodology and Procedures

Chapter 7. Sediment Toxicity Testing

• 7.1. Introduction
• 7.2. How to Conduct a Sediment Toxicity Test
• 7.3. Toxicity Identification Evaluation for Whole Sediments
• 7.4. More from Less (Future Possibilities and Probabilities)

Chapter 8. Mesocosm and Field Toxicity Testing in the Marine Context

• 8.1. Introduction
• 8.2. Mesocosms as a Management Tool for the Protection of Marine Ecosystems
• 8.3. General Design of Aquatic Mesocosms
• 8.4. Thinking Bigger: Developing Systems for Large Fish
• 8.5. Some Specific Considerations for the Design of Marine Mesocosms
• 8.6. Future Possibilities
• 8.7. Conclusions: Utility of Mesocosm Testing in Marine Ecotoxicology

Chapter 9. Ecological Risk and Weight of Evidence Assessments

• 9.1. Introduction
• 9.2. Ecological Risk Assessment
• 9.3. Weight of Evidence
• 9.4. Marine Ecotoxicology Within Ecological Risk Assessment and Weight of Evidence
• 9.5. Future Possibilities and Probabilities

Chapter 10. Global Change

• 10.1. Introduction
• 10.2. Catchment-Land Use Changes
• 10.3. Ports and Industry-Associated Changes
• 10.4. Climate Change
• 10.5. Future Research Needs and New Tools for Assessing Impacts in Marine Ecosystems
• 10.6 Conclusions