Book excerpt: Over the past decade ecotoxicology has emerged as a distinct subject of interdisciplinary character. Courses in ecotoxicology reflect this and are taught by specialists in chemistry and biochemistry through to population genetics and ecology. As the first textbook to incorporate all relevant aspects of chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, physiology, population ecology and population genetics, the first edition of this book proved to be well received across several industries. Featuring fully revised text and new illustrations, Principles of Ecotoxicology identifies the major classes of organic and inorganic pollutants, their properties, release and environmental fate, and transport in air, water and along food chains, before considering the effects that they might have upon individual organisms and ultimately whole ecosystems. This timely second edition of Principles of Ecotoxicology incorporates data collected since the first edition on subjects of current research and media interest such as organochloride pesticides, endocrine disruptors, aquatic toxicity, industrial waste and ecotoxicity testing.