Chemical Warfare in Nature Pesticides and other industrial chemicals are at the root of many pollution problems. In view of the toxic effects of industrial chemicals found in the water, soil, and air, Ecotoxicology: Effects of Pollutants on the Natural Environment considers the impact of chemicals on the environment from a wider perspective: the evolution of plant toxins—and defense mechanisms against them in animals as a consequence of plant–animal warfare. Comparisons are made between this and the development of resistance by insects towards man-made insecticides. Pesticides and Drugs The text focuses particularly on problems posed by pesticides and, to a lesser extent, by drugs. This material specifically addresses the problems that pesticides pose and explores the development of resistance to them. It focuses on the history of pesticides, pesticide selectivity between target species and beneficial organisms, and types of pesticides. It discusses mandatory ecotoxicity testing as part of the process of risk assessment of environmental chemicals. The text considers the effects of pollutants at the population level, with respect to changes in numbers and genetic composition. It factors in the sublethal effects of pollutants on population levels, and cites an increase in the concentration of persistent pollutants in natural food chains as a cause of the decline of certain vertebrate predators. Overall the text: • Considers plant toxins as models for pesticides • Emphasizes principles illustrated with practical examples • Includes a glossary of terms Divided into three sections, this text uses a variety of examples and case studies to examine the effects of pollutants—including naturally occurring ones—on natural processes. It guides the reader through the basic issues and principles; outlines the science of ecotoxicology, which is the study of the effects of chemicals upon ecosystems; and introduces various strategies for pollution control.

Table of Contents:
Section I Basic Issues Toxicology and EcotoxicologySome Definitions The Discipline of Ecotoxicology Selective Toxicity Summary Further Reading EcotoxicityIntroduction What Determines Ecotoxicity? Pesticides and Other Biocides Industrial Chemicals Other Than Pesticides Protocols for Ecotoxicity Testing Determination of Median Lethal Dose and Median Lethal Concentration Ecotoxicity Testing That Uses Sublethal Endpoints Bioassays for Measuring Toxicity Model Ecosystems Ethical Issues Summary Further Reading A History of Chemical WarfareAn Evolutionary Perspective Plant Toxins as Pesticides The Coevolutionary "Arms Race" Plant Toxins as Models for Pesticides Chemical Weapons and Predation Chemical Weapons of Attack and Defense Microbial Toxins Ecotoxicology against the Background of Chemical Warfare in Nature Summary Further Reading Toxic Effects at Different Organizational LevelsSequential Effects of Pollutants Effects upon the Individual Organism Effects at the Population Level Effects upon Population Genetics Communities and Ecosystems Effects upon Structure and Function of Communities and Ecosystems Monitoring Changes in the Composition of Communities Field Trials Summary Further Reading The Development of ResistanceIntroduction Population Genetics and Evolutionary Theory Pollutants as Stress Factors Mechanisms of Resistance Cross-Resistance Overcoming Problems of Pesticide Resistance The Evolution of Metal Tolerance in Plants Resistance as an Indicator of Pollution Summary Further reading Pesticides and Their DesignIntroduction Early History of Pesticides The Importance of Selectivity Types of Pesticides Ways of Using Pesticides Objectives in the Design of New Pesticides Mass Screening Modeling of New Pesticides Based upon the Structures of Sites of Action Summary Further Reading Natural Pollutants and Natural CyclesIntroduction Eutrophication Acid Rain Radiation and Radioisotopes Oil Pollution Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming The Ozone Layer Global Processes and the Gaia Theory Summary Further Reading Section II Examples of PollutantsEarly Problems Connected with Urbanization and MiningIntroduction Detergents in Surface Waters Air Pollution Mines and Smelting Summary Further Reading The Organochlorine InsecticidesIntroduction DDT and Related Pesticides The Environmental Fate of p,p’-DDT and Related Compounds The Cyclodiene Insecticides The Environmental Fate of Cyclodienes Effects of DDT and Cyclodienes on Birds of Prey Decline of Predatory Birds Related to Eggshell Thinning Caused by p,p’-DDE Other Effects of Organochlorines Resistance to Organochlorine Insecticides More Ecofriendly Cyclodienes Summary Further Reading Organophosphorous and Carbamate InsecticidesIntroduction Mode of Action of Anticholinesterases The Organophosphorous Insecticides Some Examples of Organophosphorous Insecticides Toxic Effects of OPs Effects of OPs in the Natural Environment Resistance to OPs Carbamate Insecticides Toxicity of Carbamates in the Field Longer-Term Effects on Soil Microorganisms Summary Further Reading Organometallic CompoundsIntroduction Tributyl Tin Compounds Organomercury Compounds The Biomagnification of Methylmercury Poisoning of Predatory Birds in the Field Methylmercury Levels in Piscivorous Vertebrates in North America Organolead Compounds Organoarsenic Compounds Summary Further reading Pyrethroid and Neonicotinoid InsecticidesIntroduction The Synthetic Pyrethroids Environmental Fate and Concerns The Development of Resistance to Pyrethroids The Neonicotinoids Development of Resistance to Neonicotinoids Potentiation of the Toxicity of Pyrethroids and Neonicotinoids Effects of Pyrethroids and Neonicotinoids on Honeybees Summary Further Reading PCBs and DioxinsIntroduction The Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Early Pollution Incidents Involving PCBs The Dioxins The Combined Toxicity of PCBs and Dioxins Summary Further Reading HerbicidesIntroduction The Impact of Herbicides on Agricultural Ecosystems The Aerial Movement of Herbicides Contamination of Surface Waters with Herbicides Herbicides That Have Significant Toxicity toward Animals Summary Further Reading Endocrine DisruptorsIntroduction The Feminization of Fish Caused by Estrogens Endocrine Disruption Involving the Ah Receptor Disturbances of the Metabolism of Steroid Hormones by Pollutants The Diversity of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in the Environment Summary Further Reading Anticoagulant RodenticidesIntroduction Mode of Action of the Anticoagulant Rodenticides (ARs) Secondary Poisoning of Predators and Scavengers Resistance to Anticoagulant Rodenticides Summary Further Reading Section III Further IssuesPollution Problems WorldwideIntroduction International Approaches to Pollution Problems Developed and Developing Countries Aerial Application of Pesticides Plastics Nanoparticles Summary Further Reading Risk Assessment and LegislationIntroduction Risk Assessment of Chemicals Statutory Requirements for Risk Assessment of Environmental Chemicals The REACH Proposals of the European Union Ethical Issues Summary Further reading Current Issues and Future ProspectsIntroduction Diclofenac and Vultures The Large-Scale Decline of Bees and Other Pollinators Marine Pollution by Polyisobutene (PIB) Effects of Mixtures of Environmental Chemicals The Design of More Ecofriendly Pesticides and Biocides Improved Methods of Ecotoxicity Testing Improvements in Procedures for Statutory Risk Assessment of Environmental Chemicals Summary Further Reading Glossary References Index