Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology

Each year ecotoxicological problems become increasingly complex and encompass broader spatial and temporal scales. Our practical understanding must evolve accordingly to maintain an acceptable quality of life. Fully revised and expanded to reflect new developments, the third edition of Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology provides a broad overview of the field that ranges from molecular to global issues.

New in the third edition:

• Revised chapter on contaminant types and sources
• Expanded by 100 pages beyond the second edition
• More integration of contaminant sources and fate
• Color graphics including fifteen color insert images
• New vignettes contributed by international experts
• Appendices describing current Chinese and Australian legislation in addition to U.S. and EU legislation

The text details key environmental contaminants, explores their fates in the biosphere, and discusses bioaccumulation and the effects of contaminants at increasing levels of ecological organization. It also covers regulatory aspects of the field and discusses key Australian, U.S., European, and Chinese legislation and policies. Vignettes written by experts illustrate key themes or highlight especially pertinent examples. Instructors can present the core concepts of each chapter and use the vignettes for student-lead discussions.

The time has passed when it was sufficient for the ecotoxicologist to focus only on new human toxicants as they appear and then explore how they impact nonhuman species. Keeping this in mind, the textbook extends the discussion of ecotoxicants beyond the conventional ecosystem to include landscape, regional, and biospheric topics. This extension imparts a perspective as encompassing as the problems facing us today.

Michael C. Newman, is a professor at the College of William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.