Extrapolation

For a better evaluation of the environmental risk of the chemicals, it is necessary to make a better integration of the ecological theory in the aquatic ecotoxicology, starting from the ecology of communities, trophic interaction and disturbance in ecology (Schmitt-Jansen et al 2008).

For a higher level of biological complexity, the authors introduce the concepts of:

• Sensitivity distribution in species
• Induced tolerance of the community in pollution
• Use of model ecosystems
• Sediment quality
• Landscape ecology

In agreement Schmitt-Jansen et al. (2008), a good water quality is fundamental for a sustainable development of the human society for the water supply, recreational purposes or the maintenance of the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Unfortunately, in many industrialized and agricultural regions pollution of surface and underground water bodies has been a serious problem (Schwarenbach et al., 2006). Despite political efforts to regulate ecological and environmental risk (WFD, EC 2000) or REACH, other aspects of various disciplines are needed, beyond standard toxicity tests. There are almost no approaches based on community indexes with respect to toxics, when evaluating the ecological status of a site.

The authors propose an integrated approach based on the union of basic and applied ecology approaches, aquatic ecotoxicology, ecology of stress and landscape ecology, which take into account the following:

• Laboratory test protocols
• Experimental and field monitoring
• Include early warning systems and computer simulation models
• Information on life cycle characteristics and trophic position of trophic chain species

In agreement Schmitt-Jansen et al. (2008), the union of these aspects could improve ecological realism in the evaluation of chemicals in aquatic ecosystems and be a worthwhile frontier for ecological research with implications for policy and legislation.

Referencia: Schmitt-Jansen M, U Veit, G Dudel y R Altenburger (2008). An ecological perspective in aquatic ecotoxicology: approaches and challenges. Basic and applied ecology 9(4): 337-345.