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Essentials Of Environmental Toxicology (Hardcover)
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Essentials Of Environmental Toxicology (Hardcover)
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Environmental toxicology is a relatively new field, with its
origins in the mid-20th century. The modern science of toxicology,
on the other hand, was born in the early 19th century, and by the
later decades of that century, some scientists had begun to
consider the effects of toxic substances that had been released
into the environment. Environmental toxicology is concerned with
the assessment of toxic substances in the environment.
Environmental toxicology draws heavily on principles and techniques
from other fields, including biochemistry, cell biology,
developmental biology, and genetics. Among its primary interests
are the assessment of toxic substances in the environment, the
monitoring of environments for the presence of toxic substances,
the effects of toxins on biotic and abiotic components of
ecosystems, and the metabolism and biological and environmental
fate of toxins. Organisms can be introduced to toxicants at various
stages of their life cycle. The degree of toxicity can vary
depending on where the organism is found within its food web.
Bioaccumulation occurs when molecular compounds are stored in an
organism's fatty tissues. Over time, this leads to the
establishment of a trophic cascade and the biomagnification of
specific toxicants. Biodegradation releases CO2 and water as
by-products into the environment. This process is typically limited
in areas affected by environmental toxicants. Harmful effects of
chemical and biological agents can include toxicants from
pollutants, insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers, all of which
can impact an organism and its community through shifts in species
diversity and abundance. Resulting changes in population dynamics
impact the ecosystem by altering its productivity and stability.
Toxins affect the environment and organisms in a variety of ways,
from having little negative impact on certain abiotic factors or
resistant organisms to killing animals and destroying major
components of ecosystems. The extent of damage depends on the type
and structure of the toxic substance; the age, the size, and the
species of the organism; and the temperature and the physical and
chemical characteristics of the environment. Knowledge of how these
factors interact is critical to understanding how best to prevent
or reduce exposure or remove a toxin from the environment.
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