Organic contaminants in the environment:environmental pathways and effects

This book presents a number of contemporary examples of applied environmental chemistry investigations. It looks at the behaviour of organic chemicals in different media - air, water, soil and biota, and considers the factors which are important in determining exchanges between these compartments with a view to prediction and modelling. It examines the important role played by micro-organisms in determining chemical fate and persistence, and considers some examples of complex effects on biological systems, before concluding with some thoughts on lessons to be learnt for the future. The intention throughout has been to present examples of processes which may be important for a wide range of trace organics. However, organochlorine pesticides have been the most studied group of compounds and continue to give cause for concern. They are given more attention than others. Papers are abstracted separately. -from Edito