Pollution Threat of Heavy Metals in Aquatic Environments. Geoffrey Mance. Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, Crown House, Linton Road, Barking, Essex I G l l 8JU, England, U.K. 1987. xii + 372 pages. $86.50, cloth. Reviewed by Jorrna Heinonen, Counselor for Science and Technology, Embassy of Finland, Washington, DC 20045. One admirable feature of Pollution llreat of Heavy Metals in Aquatic Environments is that it points up the need for substantial improvements in the quality control of many kinds of environmental data, especially if these data are to be used to set standards. Moreover, the author explains why an appreciation of the limitations of such data and of the scientific knowledge and research that generated the data is crucial to any evaluation of these standards. This book refers mainly to water quality standards that are being developed as a result of environmental legislation by members of the European Community. The book consists of 11 chapters. The first chapter presents a history of the study of the effects of metals in aquatic ecosystems, with an emphasis on the damage caused by the methylation of mercury by aquatic organisms. Chapter 2 briefly discusses laboratory techniques for toxicity testing and the basic weaknesses and practical limitations of testing protocols. The next three chapters alone could make up a book. They lucidly discuss the toxicity of 11 metals to various types of freshwater and marine fauna, primarily fish. The author acknowledges that the information presented does not represent an exhaustive survey of the literature. Rather, he obtains it from sampling and analyses whose general methodology he has evaluated and deemed to be scientifically adequate. I am somewhat mystified by the author’s statement, “There are few re26
Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol. 23, No. 1, 1989
views of the toxicity of mercury to freshwater fish and the available information from studies that are methodologically sound are few.” For example, selected reviews made by experts on mercury were compiled in a booklet published in 1972 (I).It includes a survey on the quality of mercury analyses. Chapter 6 is a good summary of 10 major factors in toxicity, supported by ample data. The author states that the generalization that salmonid species of fish are more sensitive to toxic substances than are nonsalmonid species often is ill-founded. He adds that although salmonid species are more sensitive to cadmium and chromium, the reverse may be true for other contaminants. In other cases, a lack of data prevents any reasonable comparison from being made. Thus the thesis of this book that previous generalizations were based on inadequate scientific data seems convincing. Premature generalizations and oversimplifications unfortunately are common in environmental issues even among research scientists. For instance, on the basis of empirical observations, it has been widely asserted that when a waterway begins to become contaminated, the salmonid species are the first to disappear. A more recent example of hastily drawn conclusions is the discussions on the fate of the North Sea seal population. Chapters 7 and 8 deal with freshwater and tidal water field studies, respectively. They also consider the difficulties in working under the uncontrolled conditions normally encountered in field studies. The introduction to Chapter 7 and the discussion in both chapters of field tests and of the literature are well-presented. These chapters would have been enhanced, however, by a more thorough comparison of laboratory and field testing procedures. The subject matter of Chapter 9, bioaccumulation, could just as well have been placed after Chapter 6. The author deserves credit for em-
phasizing, in Chapter 10, the different roles standards may have. He summarizes how standards are developed. It would have been helpful, however, if he had stressed how laborious and sophisticated a process standard development can be and that the establishment of standards always has a political dimension as well. Chapter 11 deals with international controls. The book, however, discusses mostly the experience, developments, and results obtained in the United Kingdom, and, to a lesser extent, in other countries of the European Community. Thus, the discussion primarily covers the North Sea. Because it is unique, I think the author should have mentioned the Baltic Sea-a small, isolated, shallow sea with brackish water. Pollution Threat of Heavy Metals in Organic Environments presents its information clearly, which qualifies it to serve as a data base, More significantly, however, the book helps the reader appreciate the complexity of the factors that govern the environment for living organisms. One of its messages is that there is a need for better data, which must come from accelerated research by scientists concerned about quality. The book is valuable for people dealing with environmental research, pollution control, and regulatory issues.
Reference (1)
“Mercury Contamination in Man and his Environment,” Technical Report Series No. 137. International Atomic Energy Agency: Vienna, Austria, 1972.
Environmental Index Source Box (l),(2)Rowland, F. S. Earth’s Atmosphere in the Twenty-First Cenfur): Carolina Environmental Essay Series, VIII; The Institute for Environmental Studies. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1987, p. 21. (3) ibid., p. 12. (4)-(6) ibid., p. 14.
0013-936X/88/0923-0026$01.50/0
0 1988 American Chemical Society
