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Modelling in ecotoxicology (developments in environmental modelling 16)
Environmental Pollution 70 (1991 ) 89-92
Book Reviews
Modelling in Ecotoxicology (Developments in Environmental Modelling 16). Edited by S. E. Jorgensen. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1990. ISBN 0-444-88699-0, 360pp. Price: US$100.00. In recent years, the subject of Ecotoxicology has emerged as a new discipline concerned with the study of the harmful effects of chemicals upon ecosystems. A significant part of this development has been the increasing use of modelling concepts, both as scientific tools, and as aids to management. The latter approach is of growing importance in the field of environmental pollution, and the control of the release of industrial chemicals and pesticides into the environment. Against this background, this book is very timely, presenting a wide ranging account of modelling concepts. The book follows the sensible plan of approaching the subject in two stages. The first six chapters, all written by the editor, are concerned with general considerations and principles, whilst the remaining nine chapters deal with case histories and are written by a number of different authors. The later case histories illustrate how principles described earlier in the book work out in real situations. The early chapters provide a valuable description of different types of modelling and how they may be applied in different situations. Particular attention is given to the critical subject of the estimation of physico-chemical and biological parameters in ecotoxicology. Although much of this early description is (necessarily) very theoretical, this is balanced by useful comments on the practical problems of using models. This reflects the practical experience of the editor, who is also an author of two of the later case studies. 89 Eneiron. Polh~t. (70)(1991)--~ "~ 1991 Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd, England. Printed in Great Britain
90
Book reviews
The description of case studies is largely restricted to modelling for the distribution and fate of pollutants, with very little about effects caused by pollutants. The difficulty of modelling for effects of pollutants is referred to briefly, in chapter 2. The pollutants which are featured in the case studies are predominantly inorganic substances--chromium, cadmium, lead, copper, mercury and sulphur dioxide. Only two chapters are concerned with organic pollutants, which tend to present greater problems to modellers because of the complication of transformation to breakdown products (including metabolites). Three of the chapters on inorganic pollutants are concerned with modelling fate in the aquatic environment. One chapter is concerned with a more biochemical approach, focusing on the uptake and metabolism of sulphur dioxide by different leaf cell compartments. The two chapters on organic pollutants deal with (1) the fate of chloronitrobenzenes in a lake system and (2) pesticide transformations and movements in soils. The final chapter discusses a software programme for use in ecotoxicological monitoring. Whilst there is much useful material here, and presentations are generally of a satisfactory quality by recognised experts, there are signs that the book has been put together rather hastily. The referencing of the book leaves much be desired. Whilst the individual chapters (7-15 inclusive) are separately referenced, the references for chapters 1-6 and appendices are all given in one list at the end of the book. Additionally, a substantial number of the references quoted in chapters 1-6 are not given in the list of references at the end. A number of figures given in the earlier part of the book are not easily comprehensible because of inadequate footnotes (some of these are simply computer printouts, where symbols are not explained in footnotes). In places the text is not very well worded, and there are rather a lot of grammatical errors and spelling errors. Subject to the above reservations, the book should be of considerable value to scientists working in the field of ecotoxicology, and it may also be of benefit to postgraduate students who are studying this subject. C. H. Walker
Radioactivity and Wildlife. By V. H. Kennedy, A. D. Horrill and F. R. Livens. Focus on Nature Conservation No. 24. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK, 1990. ISBN 0-86139-641-3. Price: £8-50. This very useful publication was commissioned from the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, by the Nature Conservancy Council in the year
Book Reviews
Modelling in Ecotoxicology (Developments in Environmental Modelling 16). Edited by S. E. Jorgensen. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1990. ISBN 0-444-88699-0, 360pp. Price: US$100.00. In recent years, the subject of Ecotoxicology has emerged as a new discipline concerned with the study of the harmful effects of chemicals upon ecosystems. A significant part of this development has been the increasing use of modelling concepts, both as scientific tools, and as aids to management. The latter approach is of growing importance in the field of environmental pollution, and the control of the release of industrial chemicals and pesticides into the environment. Against this background, this book is very timely, presenting a wide ranging account of modelling concepts. The book follows the sensible plan of approaching the subject in two stages. The first six chapters, all written by the editor, are concerned with general considerations and principles, whilst the remaining nine chapters deal with case histories and are written by a number of different authors. The later case histories illustrate how principles described earlier in the book work out in real situations. The early chapters provide a valuable description of different types of modelling and how they may be applied in different situations. Particular attention is given to the critical subject of the estimation of physico-chemical and biological parameters in ecotoxicology. Although much of this early description is (necessarily) very theoretical, this is balanced by useful comments on the practical problems of using models. This reflects the practical experience of the editor, who is also an author of two of the later case studies. 89 Eneiron. Polh~t. (70)(1991)--~ "~ 1991 Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd, England. Printed in Great Britain
90
Book reviews
The description of case studies is largely restricted to modelling for the distribution and fate of pollutants, with very little about effects caused by pollutants. The difficulty of modelling for effects of pollutants is referred to briefly, in chapter 2. The pollutants which are featured in the case studies are predominantly inorganic substances--chromium, cadmium, lead, copper, mercury and sulphur dioxide. Only two chapters are concerned with organic pollutants, which tend to present greater problems to modellers because of the complication of transformation to breakdown products (including metabolites). Three of the chapters on inorganic pollutants are concerned with modelling fate in the aquatic environment. One chapter is concerned with a more biochemical approach, focusing on the uptake and metabolism of sulphur dioxide by different leaf cell compartments. The two chapters on organic pollutants deal with (1) the fate of chloronitrobenzenes in a lake system and (2) pesticide transformations and movements in soils. The final chapter discusses a software programme for use in ecotoxicological monitoring. Whilst there is much useful material here, and presentations are generally of a satisfactory quality by recognised experts, there are signs that the book has been put together rather hastily. The referencing of the book leaves much be desired. Whilst the individual chapters (7-15 inclusive) are separately referenced, the references for chapters 1-6 and appendices are all given in one list at the end of the book. Additionally, a substantial number of the references quoted in chapters 1-6 are not given in the list of references at the end. A number of figures given in the earlier part of the book are not easily comprehensible because of inadequate footnotes (some of these are simply computer printouts, where symbols are not explained in footnotes). In places the text is not very well worded, and there are rather a lot of grammatical errors and spelling errors. Subject to the above reservations, the book should be of considerable value to scientists working in the field of ecotoxicology, and it may also be of benefit to postgraduate students who are studying this subject. C. H. Walker
Radioactivity and Wildlife. By V. H. Kennedy, A. D. Horrill and F. R. Livens. Focus on Nature Conservation No. 24. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK, 1990. ISBN 0-86139-641-3. Price: £8-50. This very useful publication was commissioned from the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, by the Nature Conservancy Council in the year