Environmental Fate and Transport

Question 1

Fate and transport of toxic substances on an ecosystem?

Answer 1

Based on lab (impact of chemical on organism) and field methods (impact on ecosystem)

Question 2

Differences between ecotoxicology and classical?

Answer 2

1. Eco based on impact on ecosystem
2. Eco often studies mixed exposure effects
3. Study distribution in different ecosystems (e.g. soil, water)

Question 3

Similarities between Ecotox and classical?

Answer 3

• Dose-response
• Biotransformation
• Dependent on physical and chemical properties

Question 4

What is ecotoxicology?

Answer 4

Impact of a chemical or mixture (xenobiotic) on an eco system.
- much broader than classical

Question 5

Bioaccumulation is dependent on what factors?

Answer 5

1. Lipophilicity
2. Rate of metabolism
3. Half-life in organism

Question 6

Ecological risk assessment?

Answer 6

1. Problem formulation
2. Analysis phase
3. Risk characterization phase

Question 7

Biomarkers?

Answer 7

Exposure:
- pesticide of PCB levels in fish; interpretation difficult
Effect:
- Impact on a specific biochemical process
- Impact of a xenobiotic or mixture on an eco.