ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 sets the ‘‘stage” for the book. It provides background information on the characteristics and composition of water and sediment and it presents general concepts, principles, and terminology basic to aquatic toxicology including a description of general types of toxic agents and their effects. The chapter further defines the criteria and approaches to toxicity testing, general experimental design and methodology for single- and multispecies toxicity studies, the importance of good laboratory practices (GLPs), and considerations for interpreting aquatic toxicity data. A comprehensive supplemental reading section at the end of the chapter (as in many other chapters) contains additional references on selected topics that will be useful for teaching and practitioners.
