Ecologists would probably like to refine the definition of toxic mechanisms not as those causing death"but as those diminishing the success of the organism in its environment This is not always the same thing for humans and for marine creatures in their less prestigious existences Indeed this concept leads naturally to the usually accepted definition of"pollution'evolved by the SCOR WOrking Group of the United nations• Ecologists would probably like to refine the definition of toxic mechanisms not as those “causing death” but as those diminishing the success of the organism in its environment. • This is not always the same thing for humans and for marine creatures in their less prestigious existences. • Indeed this concept leads naturally to the usually accepted definition of “pollution”evolved by the SCOR Working Group of the United Nations