ecotoxic
Toxic to ecosystems
Ecotoxic describes substances harmful to ecosystems and the organisms within them—plants, animals, and microorganisms.
The term appears in environmental science and regulation: ecotoxic waste, ecotoxic chemicals.
Something ecotoxic may not be immediately dangerous to humans but damages the broader environment: The pesticide proved ecotoxic to aquatic life.
Chemicals destroying harmful organisms
- herbicidesChemicals that destroy unwanted plants
- insecticidesAgents that exterminate bugs
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
mercury · cadmium · arsenic · PCBs · dioxins · DDT · phthalates · organophosphates
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- carcinogenicityCapacity to cause cancer
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- reproductive harmDamage to fertility or offspring
lethality · behavioral changes · growth inhibition · mortality · morbidity
Evaluating likelihood of harm
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
- LD50Half-fatal dose measurement
- dose-responseRelationship between amount and effect
- environmental monitoringObserving natural systems systematically
Water-saturated terrain
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- mangroveTidal shrub with exposed roots
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
marine · aquatic · soil · groundwater · sediment · food web · algal bloom · dead zones
Gilled aquatic vertebrate
- invertebratesAnimals without vertebral columns
- amphibiansVertebrates with aquatic larvae
- daphniaFreshwater microscopic crustacean
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
earthworms · bees · birds · aquatic plants · mollusks · crustaceans · zooplankton · phytoplankton
pesticides
Chemicals destroying harmful organisms
- herbicidesChemicals that destroy unwanted plants
- insecticidesAgents that exterminate bugs
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
lead · mercury · cadmium · arsenic · PCBs · dioxins · DDT · phthalates · organophosphates · microplastics
bioaccumulation
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- carcinogenicityCapacity to cause cancer
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
reproductive harm · lethality · behavioral changes · growth inhibition · mortality · morbidity
risk assessment
Evaluating likelihood of harm
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
- LD50Half-fatal dose measurement
- dose-responseRelationship between amount and effect
environmental monitoring · in vitro · in vivo · bioassay · safety factors
wetlands
Water-saturated terrain
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- mangroveTidal shrub with exposed roots
freshwater · marine · aquatic · soil · groundwater · sediment · food web · algal bloom · dead zones · watershed
fish
Gilled aquatic vertebrate
- invertebratesAnimals without vertebral columns
- amphibiansVertebrates with aquatic larvae
- daphniaFreshwater microscopic crustacean
algae · earthworms · bees · birds · aquatic plants · mollusks · crustaceans · zooplankton · phytoplankton · sentinel species
ecotoxiceco-friendly
Not harming the environment
environmentally safe · non-toxic · green · clean · safe
ecotoxicbiodegradable
Able to decompose naturally
compostable · biocompatible · degradable · assimilable · organic