Bioindication: An efficient tool for pollution control. Vol. 2

Selective studies on pollutant effects in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems have become increasingly important in the last few years. They are frequently applied in the context of concrete projects. Some of the reasons are: In the causal chain 'emission-immission-effect', effect is the most crucial factor. Sensitive organisms may be used as biological indicators. Toxicity assessments of pollutants on the basis of threshold values are commonly based on the individual pollutant components. Coergistic and synergistic effects are not taken into account sufficiently. Although the potential hazard to objects can be derived from the measured pollutant concentrations, concrete effects cannot be assessed. Pollutant concentration measurements as a rule cover only a one-year period. Monitoring of effects, on the other hand, can reflect the effects of chronical exposure over several years. Another reason, and surely a highly relevant one, may be the fact that standardized effect-related methods of measurement offer a relatively low-cost possibility of getting at least outline information on the pollution situation. 34 papers have been recorded separately for this database. (orig./EF)