A Glossary for Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment.
Abstract
As in other scientific disciplines, environmental toxicology has a standard vocabulary to convey information about the effects of contaminants on the environment. These words are highly technical and are not usually defined in readily available sources such as standard dictionaries. Consequently, the vocabulary of environmental contamination can be ambiguous and confusing. A glossary for Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment was prepared to help alleviate this problem. It contains over 200 terms relating to environmental contamination. Some terms, such as 'tolerance', are used in other disciplines, but they have specific meanings when they are associated with the field of environmental contamination. Words that are adequately defined in other readily available sources have not been included in the Glossary. Selection of terms for the Glossary followed an extensive literature review. Criteria for selection included frequency of use, and availability and accuracy of published definition. Final definitions were synthesized from those in the literature and other glossaries, and by consulting experts in the fields of environmental toxicology and chemistry. The Glossary is intended for use by the Navy in addressing environmental issues should they occur. It is written in semitechnical language for those who lack formal training in environmental toxicology, but who require a working knowledge of the subject. Many of the definitions include examples or explanations containing background information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA258543
Entities
People
- K. S. Mayer
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory