Publication
Title
Using ecotoxicology for conservation : from biomarkers to modeling
Author
Abstract
An endless list of new chemicals are entering nature, which makes it an impossible task to assess all possible mixture combinations at all possible concentrations and conditions that are leading to the ubiquitous anthropogenic impacts on the aquatic environment resulting from deteriorating water quality. Therefore, ecotoxicology is moving more towards a mechanistic understanding of toxicological processes, using trait-based approaches and sublethal molecular and physiological endpoints to understand the mode of action of pollutants and the adverse outcomes at organismal and population level. These molecular and physiological endpoints can be used as biomarkers, applicable in the field. This brings ecotoxicological research much closer to conservation physiology. Understanding the relationships between chemical reactivity in the water and in organisms, and assessing the consequences at higher levels, allows conservation physiologists and managers to take the right restoration measures for an optimal improvement of the aquatic habitats of concern. In this chapter we discuss the role which the promising approach of mechanistic-based Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) can play in ecotoxicological research. It studies a pathway of events, from the direct interaction of a chemical with a molecular target, through subsequent intermediate events at cellular, tissue, organ and individual organism levels which then result in an Adverse Outcome (AO) relevant to ecotoxicological risk assessment and regulatory decision-making. In this context, we also discuss the importance of modelling, including bioavailability based and effect based models. Finally, we reflect on the possibilities that meta-analysis has to offer to detect unifying physiological processes, as well as interesting outliers.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Fish Physiology
Source (book)
Conservation physiology for the anthropocene: issues and applications / Fangue, N.A. ; et al. [eds.]
Publication
Academic Press , 2022
ISSN
1546-5098
ISBN
978-0-12-824268-1
DOI
10.1016/BS.FP.2022.06.002
Volume/pages
39B , p. 111-174
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 21.11.2022
Last edited 14.02.2023
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