Coupling Mini- and Microcomputers to Biological Early Warning Systems

Abstract

There are two types of damage to ecosystems: (a) the insidious, incremental, practically undetectable long-term changes most commonly caused by persistent chemical substances that undergo biological magnification, and (b) sudden unexpected surges of dangerous materials into the environment usually caused by technological failures or human error. In short, Murphy's Law applies: If anything can go wrong, it will. Tankers crash upon rocks, and oil spills over the coasts of England and France. Someone turns the wrong valve, and thousands of gallons of hazardous material escape into the environment. Someone who con-