Virtual Issues

AOP Pathways & Predictions

First published: 3 April 2021 | Last updated: 3 January 2024

This virtual issue represents a living collection of Pathway and Prediction articles published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Pathways and Predictions articles are summaries of multi-process biological responses to chemicals described by extensive datasets. AOP Reports are one type of Pathways and Predictions article intended to disseminate to a broader scientific community an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) description developed in the AOP-Wiki (aopwiki.org) by providing a narrative overview of (1) the motivation, significance, and background of the AOP’s development, (2) the biological scope of the AOP, (3) an assessment of the scientific support for the AOP as well as relevant limitations and uncertainties, and (4) potential and exemplary applications for the AOP in light of the supporting evidence.

To submit a Pathway and Prediction article, check out the ET&C Author Guidelines for more information.

Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Laurentian Great Lakes

First published: 11 March 2022 | Last updated: 5 December 2023

Assessing the ecological risk of contaminants in the field typically involves consideration of a complex mixture of compounds which may or may not be detected via instrumental analyses. Further, there are insufficient data to predict the potential biological effects of many detected compounds, leading them to be characterized as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Over the past several years, advances in chemistry, toxicology, and bioinformatics have resulted in a variety of concepts and tools that can enhance the pragmatic assessment of the ecological risk of CECs. Papers in this Virtual Issue describe a 10+ year multiagency effort supported through the US Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to assess the occurrence and implications of CECs in the Laurentian Great Lakes. State-of-the-science methods and models were utilized to evaluate more than 700 sites in about 200 tributaries across Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior, sometimes on multiple occasions. Studies featured measurement of up to 500 different target analytes in different environmental matrices, coupled with evaluation of biological effects in resident species, animals from in situ and laboratory exposures, and in vitro systems. Experimental taxa included birds, fish and a variety of invertebrates, and measured endpoints ranged from molecular to apical responses. Data were integrated and evaluated using a diversity of curated knowledgebases and models with the goal of producing actionable insights for risk assessors and managers charged with evaluating and mitigating the effects of CECs in the Great Lakes. Importantly, the methods, models, and conceptual approaches developed through the GLRI-CEC effort can enhance efforts throughout the world to assess the risk of contaminant mixtures in aquatic environments.

Research Highlights from Africa

First published: 2 October 2023 | Last updated: 6 October 2023

The SETAC Africa 11th Biennial Meeting presents the opportunity to highlight the work coming out of Africa and publishing in the SETAC journals.

Oil Spills

First published: 23 October 2022 | Last updated: 24 October 2022

An oil spill refers to an incident in which a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon is released into the environment due to human activity. These incidents upset the environmental health of the affected areas and the health of organisms who inhabit them. Although some large-scale oil spills, such as the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, are more well-known than others, thousands of smaller-scale oil spills occur globally every year. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry’s virtual issue on Oil Spills showcase some of the research that is being conducted to better understand the ecotoxicological consequences of these incidents and to protect affected environments.

Contaminants of Emerging Concern

First published: 21 August 2020 | Last updated: 20 August 2020

Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) is a term used to describe pollutants that have been detected in the aquatic environment that may cause ecological or human health impacts. Despite advancements, significant obstacles still prevent comprehensive assessments of the environmental risks associated with the presence of CECs. This virtual issue brings together a selection of SETAC journals papers whose authors have CECs at the forefront of their research priorities.