ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the utility of physiological biomarkers and lists the criteria to be used in selecting biomarkers to address specific ecological questions. It focuses on methods for assessing the health of an organism or population. The chapter reviews the response of organisms to stressors and discusses the rationale for using biomarkers. It also reviews problems associated with the field use of biomarkers for effects and also discusses experimental considerations in the design of field exposures. The chapter provides selected physiological and nonspecific biomarkers expected to be useful in quantifying ecologically relevant exposure and effects. Physiological and nonspecific biomarkers have been used extensively in the laboratory to document and quantify both exposure to, and effects of, environmental pollutants. Biomarkers of chemical and physical stressor effects are attractive alternatives to more traditional measures for several reasons. Biomarkers indicative of a nonspecific response to stress include any measure that is altered by exposure to a variety of stressors.
