Handbook of ecotoxicology. Volume 1

In the first of two volumes, three major areas are covered: a comprehensive description of the main tests, including the supply and maintenance of test organisms; a critical analysis of these tests in terms of ease of handling, repeatability and ecological relevance; and bibliographies, citing descriptions and evaluations of key methodology. These topics are addressed in separately authored contributions covering the main global ecosystems. In the freshwater systems section, individual chapters concentrate on: microbial systems; primary producers; invertebrate toxicity tests; fish; sediments; and multi-species test systems. For marine and estuarine systems these are: treatments of primary producers; invertebrate toxicity tests; methods for spawning, culturing and conducting toxicity tests with early life stages of fish; appropriate uses of sediment bioassays; and multi-species test systems. For terrestrial systems these are: soil invertebrates and micro-organisms; primary producers; insects, spiders and mites; birds; and mammals. Lastly, in a general section, information is provided on biodegradation; bioaccumulation; in situ biological monitoring of pollution in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; bioprobes and biosensors; and the design and analysis of concentration-response experiments. -J.W.Cooper