ecotoxicology
noun
eco·tox·i·col·o·gy
ˌē-kō-ˌtäk-si-ˈkä-lə-jē 
ˌe-kō-
ˌe-kō-
: a scientific discipline combining the methods of ecology and toxicology in studying the effects of toxic substances and especially pollutants on the environment
Examples of ecotoxicology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fish in oil spill zones can ingest oil, which contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can cause cancer if eaten in certain amounts, said Susan Klasing, chief of the fish, ecotoxicology and water section at California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
—
Fox News, 29 Oct. 2021
In the latest study, a three-year, $1.1-million effort by a large team of researchers, microplastics from almost 400 samples were identified and analyzed with microscopes, tweezers and lasers in an ecotoxicology lab at the University of Toronto.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2019
Plus, a one-time treatment won’t cut it, says Jing Zhai, the research director of ecotoxicology and specialty products at global testing laboratory Eurofins, who has extensive experience with bed bugs.
—Amina Lake Abdelrahman, Good Housekeeping, 8 Apr. 2019
Today, some researchers are studying how the animals accomplish their striking feats of regeneration, while others use them in ecotoxicology studies; cephalopods even guide research into the origins of consciousness.
—Danna Staaf, Science | AAAS, 4 Apr. 2018
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Fox News, 29 Oct. 2021
In the latest study, a three-year, $1.1-million effort by a large team of researchers, microplastics from almost 400 samples were identified and analyzed with microscopes, tweezers and lasers in an ecotoxicology lab at the University of Toronto.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2019
Plus, a one-time treatment won’t cut it, says Jing Zhai, the research director of ecotoxicology and specialty products at global testing laboratory Eurofins, who has extensive experience with bed bugs.
—Amina Lake Abdelrahman, Good Housekeeping, 8 Apr. 2019
Today, some researchers are studying how the animals accomplish their striking feats of regeneration, while others use them in ecotoxicology studies; cephalopods even guide research into the origins of consciousness.
—Danna Staaf, Science | AAAS, 4 Apr. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Ecotoxicology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecotoxicology. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ecotoxicology
noun
eco·tox·i·col·o·gy
ˌē-kō-ˌtäk-si-ˈkäl-ə-jē
ˌek-ō-
ˌek-ō-
plural ecotoxicologies
: a scientific discipline combining the methods of ecology and toxicology in studying the effects of toxic substances and especially pollutants on the environment
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