Bücher der Reihe Chapman & Hall Ecotoxicology Series

Ecotoxicology is a relatively new scientific discipline. Indeed, it might be argued that it is only during the last 5-10 years that it has come to merit being regarded as a true science, rather than a collection of procedures for protecting the environment through management and monitoring of pollutant discharges into the environment. The term 'ecotoxicology' was first coined in the late sixties by Prof. Truhaut, a toxicologist who had the vision to recognize the importance of investigating the fate and effects of chemicals in ecosystems. At that time, ecotoxicology was considered a sub-discipline of medical toxicology. Subsequently, several attempts have been made to portray ecotoxicology in a more realistic light. Notably, both F. Moriarty (1988) and F. Ramade (1987) emphasized in their books the broad basis of ecotoxicology, encompassing chemical and radiation effects on all components of ecosystems. In doing so, they and others have shifted concern from direct chemical toxicity to man, to the far more subtle effects that pollutant chemicals exert on natural biota. Such effects potentially threaten the existence of all life on Earth. Although I have identified the sixties as the era when ecotoxicology was first conceived as a coherent subject area, it is important to acknowledge that studies that would now be regarded as ecotoxicological are much older. Wherever people's ingenuity has led them to change the face of nature significantly, it has not escaped them that a number of biological con- sequences, often unfavourable, ensue.

Structure-Activity Relationships in Environmental Science is the first book of its kind that brings together information from a variety of sources into one document. Part One covers the theoretical background of structure-activity studies and Part Two deals with the practical applications of such methods in the environmental sciences.

Structure-Activity Relationships in Environmental Science is the first book of its kind that brings together information from a variety of sources into one document. Part One covers the theoretical background of structure-activity studies and Part Two deals with the practical applications of such methods in the environmental sciences.

Second in our Ecotoxicology series, this book presents a timely discussion of theoretical and practical issues involved in the study of ecotoxicology. By concentrating on the key issues, the book provides an exciting introduction for those new to ecotoxicology while stimulating veterans in the field into lively debate.

Ecotoxicology is a relatively new scientific discipline. Ramade (1987) emphasized in their books the broad basis of ecotoxicology, encompassing chemical and radiation effects on all components of ecosystems.