Introduction to Aquatic Toxicology Introduction to Aquatic Toxicology Rand, G. M., and S. R. Petrocelli. Hemisphere Publishing Company. Summarized by Leela Marie D'Cruz. Introduction Rand and Petrocelli provide a good overview of concepts, techniques and methodologies used in aquatic toxicology. Most of their references date between 1970 and 1980 and thus for current concepts in this field, newer articles need to be consulted.
Toxic effects incorporate changes in behaviour patterns to mortality.
Aquatic toxicology is a multidisciplinary science, drawing information from many fields. The complexity of ecosystem interactions makes it difficult to understand the system's response to a chemical unless the relationships among its various components are well defined. Assessment is further complicated by adaptation, diversity of species, and differences in structural and functional responses among these biological components. No chemical is safe or harmful, it is the relationship between the chemical concentration to the organism's exposure and the duration of this exposure. These data are complied to determine chemical mobility and aquatic areas sensitive to this chemical.