Molecular Mechanisms in Ecotoxicology: An Interplay between Environmental Chemistry and Biology

Abstract

A close collaboration between environmental chemistry and biological sciences is required for a complete understanding of ecotoxicological effects. Bioavailability and uptake of pollutants cannot be regarded as isolated chemical or biological questions. Knowledge of the effective concentrations in the organism or at the target site(s) is essential to link the fate and effects of a chemical and is a prerequisite for quantitative investigation of the modes of toxic action. These modes of action need to be unraveled using whole-organism or in vitro systems in order to be able to develop specific biomarkers and biosensors that can be applied as early warning systems. Our mode-of-action-based approaches, in which chemical and biological analytical tools are combined, should improve the understanding of ecotoxicological effects and should be implemented in the future in risk assessment.