Compartmental ecokinetics

Compartmental analysis is a well-known technique of ecokinetics (an example Blau et aL, 1975). 

Let the ecosystem be a fish in an aquarium. The uptake and clearance of compounds by fish can be modelled in the simplest way by a two-compartment model treating the fish as a single homogeneous compartment. Assuming that  

The two-compartment model is shown in Fig. 7.9. The kinetic diflFerential equation system with the initial conditions is  

In practical cases dc t) dt = 0 used to be assumed. The solution of the model can be easily given, but it is not very important for us at this moment. 

The fish itself can be represented by two compartments where one of these compartments corresponds to a particular tissue in which the chemical compound may be preferentially concentrated. Two possible three-compartment models are shown in Fig. 7.10. 

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The environmental impact of a new product needs to be assessed before it can be released for general use. Chemicals released into the environment can enter the food chain and be concentrated in plants and animals. Aquatic ecosystems are particularly sensitive, in this respect, since chemicals, when applied to agricultural land, can be transported in the ground water to rivers and then to the lakes, where they can accumulate in fish and plant life. The ecokinetic model presented here is based on a simple compartmental analysis and is based on laboratory ecosystem studies (Blau et ah, 1975). The model is useful in simulating the results of events, such as the accidental spillage of an agrochemical into a pond, where it is not ethical to perform actual experimental studies. 

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