In Ecotoxicology: A Hierarchical Treatment, 20 recognized experts from around the world identify and present the fundamental concepts of ecotoxicology at the biological level central to their own research. Superbly organized, the book proceeds sequentially by chapter from the chemical to cellular to the ecosystem level, making it easy to read, understand, and use. Specifically, each author identifies important hypotheses, paradigms, "false" paradigms, or new techniques in his or her research area. As a result, this book is a stimulating progressive treatment of ecotoxicology at all levels of organization. Each chapter draws mechanistic interpretation from the next lower level and attempts to predict effects at the next higher level. This innovative approach underscores ecotoxicology's potential for development into a new discipline and makes Ecotoxicology: A Hierarchical Treatment the definitive reference at this crucial juncture.

Table of Contents:
Ecotoxicology as a Science, M.C. Newman Ecotoxicology Assessed from a Scientific Context Ecotoxicology and the Qualities of a Scientific Discipline The Emergence of Ecotoxicology as a Science Ecotoxicology of Metals in the Aquatic Environment: Geochemical Aspects, P.G.C. Campbell and A. Tessier Introduction Geochemical Considerations Interactions between Dissolved Trace Metals and Aquatic Organisms Interactions between Particulate Trace Metals and Aquatic Organisms Ecotoxicological Considerations - Metallothionein as a Biochemical Indicator of Metal-Induced Stress Ecotoxicants at the Cell-Membrane Barrier, K. Simkiss Background Origin of the Concepts on Membrane Permeability Entry into the Cell Complex Interactions Membrane Ecotoxicology Membranes in the Ecotoxicology Hierarchy Evaluation of Organic Contaminant Exposure in Aquatic Organisms: The Significance of Bioconcentration and Bioaccumulation, P. Landrum, G.A. Harkey, and J. Kukkonen Introduction Aqueous Exposures Sediment Exposures Food Web Transfer Estimation Methods Steady-State Models Uses and Limits of Toxicokinetics Bioavailability Utility and Assessment Molecular Markers to Toxic Agents, L.R. Shugart The Problem Biological Markers Molecular Markers to Toxicants Genetic Ecotoxicology Conclusions Responses at the Tissue Level: Quantitative Methods in Histopathology Applied to Ecotoxicology, C.H. Jagoe Conceptual Background The Necessity of Quantitation Methods for Quantifying Effects at the Cell and Tissue Levels An Example: Effects of Low pH and Dissolved Metals on Fish Gills Conclusion Effects of Pollutants on Individual Life Histories and Population Growth Rates, R.M. Sibly Introduction Effects of Pollutants on Individual Organisms, and the Consequences for Population Growth Rate Population Density and Population Ecology Evolutionary Analysis Conclusions Ecologically Meaningful Estimates of Lethal Effect in Individuals, M.C. Newman and P.M. Dixon Overview The Dose-Response (Time Endpoint) Approach The Time-Response (Survival Time) Approach Conclusion Demography Meets Ecotoxicology: Untangling the Population Levels Effects of Toxic Substances, H. Caswell Introduction Demographic Models Life Table Response Experiments Decomposing Treatment Effects: Why and How? Discussion Toxicants as Selective Agents in Population and Community Dynamics, R.K. Chesser and D.W. Sugg Introduction Methods Ecosystem Stability Perturbations Species Redundancies Immigration Generalizations Effects of Environmental Stressors on Interspecific Interactions of Aquatic Animals, G.J. Atchison, M.B. Sandheinrich, and M.D. Bryan Overview General Background Predation Competition for Resources Conclusions Ecotoxicology and the Redundancy Problem: Understanding Effects on Community Structure and Function, J.R. Pratt and J. Cairns, Jr. Introduction Possible Relationships between Structure and Function Ecosystem Differences Predictive Approaches Linking Ecology and Ecotoxicology Toward a New Ecotoxicology: Slaying Some Myths Ecosystems and Ecotoxicology: A Personal Perspective, D.W. Schindler Introduction A Definition of Ecosystem Ecology The Conceptual Basis for Evaluating Indicators of Stress in Ecosystems Summary, C.L. Strojan Index