Ecotoxicology of Antifouling Biocides


Book Description

Organotin compounds, used as antifouling biocides since 1960, are chemical compounds that act as endocrine disrupters. It is not known how organotin compounds cause hormone disturbance, however, and many questions remain about their effect on aquatic organisms. Studies on organotin compounds have recently evolved, with many new findings reported. Following a worldwide ban on organotin compounds in 2008, alternative compounds will mainly be used, with the potential for coastal areas to become contaminated, causing, among other effects, cholinesterase inhibition in aquatic organisms. Use of alternative compounds must be controlled to avoid such errors. These and other findings are described and concisely summarized in this book, providing a useful reference in countries where alternative biocides are being considered. Included are studies on the effects on marine organisms, making this book an excellent aid to experts in environmental chemistry, to government organizations, and to students.




Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Volume 211


Book Description

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology attempts to provide concise, critical reviews of timely advances, philosophy and significant areas of accomplished or needed endeavor in the total field of xenobiotics, in any segment of the environment, as well as toxicological implications.




Biological Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Their Applications


Book Description

Biological Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Their Applications gives insight into the synthesis of nanoparticles utilizing the natural routes. It demonstrates various strategies for the synthesis of nanoparticles utilizing plants, microscopic organisms like bacteria, fungi, algae and so forth. It orchestrates interdisciplinary hypothesis, ideas, definitions, models and discoveries associated with complex cell of the prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Highlights: Discusses biological approach towards the nanoparticle synthesis Describes the role of nanotechnology in the field of medicine and its medical devices Covers application and usage of the chemicals at the molecular level to act as catalysts and binding products for both organic and inorganic Chemical Reactions Reviews application in physics such as solar cells, photovoltaics and other usage Microorganisms can aggregate and detoxify substantial metals because of different reductase enzymes, which can diminish metal salts to metal nanoparticles. The readers after going through this book will have detailed account of mechanism of bio-synthesis of nanoparticles.




Risk-Informed Management of European River Basins


Book Description

The growing impacts of economic activities and climate change on the conditions of rivers throughout the world, require a new, integrated approach towards river basin management, an approach that can also cope with an uncertain future. In this volume, leading European scientists and representatives of major stakeholder groups present risk-informed management as this new approach, as developed in the European Commission-funded project RISKBASE. It aims to improve the ecological quality of river basins and thus to sustain the goods and services they provide for the benefit of society. Risk-informed management involves the integrated application of three key-principles: · Being well informed · Managing adaptively · Pursuing a participatory approach The authors explain and underpin these principles in detail, offer inspiring examples from practice and connect them to the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). This book is intended for scientists, consultants and practitioners concerned about river basins, world-wide, as well as the drafters and implementers of the WFD River Basin Management Plans.




Microwave Effects on DNA and Proteins


Book Description

For several years, researchers have been reporting the effects of microwave radiation/heating on both the structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins. For the most part, favourable accelerated biological functions are observed as microwave induced heating occurs, but other not-so favourable effects are also observed, such as denaturation, fragmentation and the so called and ill-explained, non-thermal microwave effects. This volume, the first of its kind, brings researchers together from around the world to discuss their current findings and thinking on the effects of Microwaves on Biological systems, particularly DNA, RNA and proteins, in the form of contributed edited chapters.




Bacterial Cellular Metabolic Systems


Book Description

The metabolic regulation of a cell system is of critical importance in systems biology, and a robust model of these mechanisms is essential in predicting the effects on the metabolism of both the culture environment and the knockout of specific genes. Bacterial cellular metabolic systems focuses on this highly topical subject in relation to culture environment and provides a detailed analysis from gene level to metabolic level regulation, as well as offering a discussion of the most recent modelling approaches. The book begins with an introduction to metabolic mechanisms and to the metabolic regulation of a cell, before moving on to discussing the action of global regulators in response to a specific culture environment. The second half of the book examines conventional flux balance analysis and its applications, 13C-metabolic flux analysis, and the effect of a specific gene knockout on the metabolism. - Comprehensive account of metabolic regulation via global regulators in response to changes in the culture environment - Basic formulation of 13C-metabolic flux analysis based on 13C-labelling experiments - Systems biology approach for the modelling and computer simulation of the main metabolic pathways of a cell system




Shipping and the Environment


Book Description

This book focuses on the interaction between shipping and the natural environment and how shipping can strive to become more sustainable. Readers are guided in marine environmental awareness, environmental regulations and abatement technologies to assist in decisions on strategy, policy and investments. You will get familiar with possible paths to improve environmental performance and, in the long term, to a sustainable shipping sector, based on an understanding of the sources and mechanisms of common impacts. You will also gain knowledge on emissions and discharges from ships, prevention measures, environmental regulations, and methods and tools for environmental assessment. In addition, the book includes a chapter on the background to regulating pollution from ships. It is intended as a source of information for professionals connected to maritime activities as well as policy makers and interested public. It is also intended as a textbook in higher education academic programmes.




Ecotoxicological QSARs


Book Description

This volume focuses on computational modeling of the ecotoxicity of chemicals and presents applications of quantitative structure–activity relationship models (QSARs) in the predictive toxicology field in a regulatory context. The extensive book covers a variety of protocols for descriptor computation, data curation, feature selection, learning algorithms, validation of models, applicability domain assessment, confidence estimation for predictions, and much more, as well as case studies and literature reviews on a number of hot topics. Written for the Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology series, chapters include the kind of practical advice that is essential for researchers everywhere. Authoritative and comprehensive, Ecotoxicological QSARs is an ideal source to update readers in the field with current practices and introduce to them new developments and should therefore be very useful for researchers in academia, industries, and regulatory bodies.




The Chlamydomonas Sourcebook: Introduction to Chlamydomonas and Its Laboratory Use


Book Description

Dr. Harris has played a major role in the development of this organism as a model system. Her previous version of the Chlamydomonas Sourcebook which published in 1989, has been a classic in the field and is considered required reading for anyone working with this organism. This latest edition has been expanded to include three volumes providing molecular techniques, analysis of the recently sequenced genome, and reviews of the current status of the diverse fields in which Chlamydomonas is used as a model organism. Methods for Chlamydomonas research and best practices for applications in research, including methods for culture, preservation of cultures, preparation of media, lists of inhibitors and other additives to culture media, are included. Additions to this volume also include help with common laboratory problems such as contamination, student demonstrations, and properties of particular strains and mutants. This volume is part of a 3-Volume Set (ISBN: 978-0-12-370873-1) and is also sold individually. - Expanded revision of gold standard reference - Includes latest advances in research, including completion of the genome - Provides broad perspective with studies in cell and molecular biology, genetics, plant physiology and related fields - Available as part of a 3-Volume Set or sold individually




Antifouling Paint Biocides


Book Description

Contamination of the aquatic environment by antifouling compounds has been a topic of increasing importance during the last few years. This book describes advances in antifouling paint biocides, and provides thorough evaluation of research and information on occurrence and levels, environmental fate, analytical techniques and methods for the monitoring and control, environmental modeling, ecotoxicological effects and risk assessment placing emphasis on the knowledge acquired over the last decade.