546-0067/01 – Ecotoxicology (ETOX)
Gurantor department | Department of Environmental Engineering | Credits | 4 |
Subject guarantor | doc. Mgr. Eva Pertile, Ph.D. | Subject version guarantor | doc. Mgr. Eva Pertile, Ph.D. |
Study level | undergraduate or graduate | Requirement | Compulsory |
Year | 3 | Semester | summer |
| | Study language | Czech |
Year of introduction | 2016/2017 | Year of cancellation | 2023/2024 |
Intended for the faculties | HGF | Intended for study types | Bachelor |
Subject aims expressed by acquired skills and competences
The knowledge rendered after completion of the course student gains basic information, knowledge and competencies in the issue of ecotoxicological hazard assessment of of pollutants on the organisms of the entire ecosystem.
The skills rendered after completion of the course: Students can discuss and interpret the general principles of ecotoxicology and will manage the evaluation and use of methodologies in ecotoxicology to predict the effects of toxic substances. Students will be able to justify the application of ecotoxicology and application of knowledge in practice.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Experimental work in labs
Summary
Knowledge of the effect of pollutants on the organisms at all trophic levels. The attention is paid to the interpretation of the general principles of ecotoxicology, evaluation and use of methodologies in ecotoxicology to predict the effects of toxic substances.
Compulsory literature:
Recommended literature:
Way of continuous check of knowledge in the course of semester
Student knowledge is verified in written form, emphasis is given to understanding the subject and applying theoretical knowledge to solving practical problems. The evaluation also includes collective evaluation and self-assessment. An active assessment of the students is also included in the class.
E-learning
Other requirements
Active participation in seminars, proven successful processing of individual tasks, continuously awarded in the semester.
Prerequisities
Subject has no prerequisities.
Co-requisities
Subject has no co-requisities.
Subject syllabus:
1. History and position of ecotoxicology as a science on the effects of stressors on ecosystems and their living components; relationships and links of ecotoxicology with other biological sciences and environmental sciences.
2. Chemicals in ecosystems; parameters of chemicals relevant to ecotoxicology (general and specific parameters); biotic transformation - biodegradation, metabolism of toxic substances.
3. Basic ecotoxicology of natural organisms; exposure-dose-response, toxo-kinetics and toxodynamics concepts; acute vs. chronic toxicity; genotoxicity vs. carcinogenicity;
4. Biomarkers; hierarchy of biological systems - specifics and effects of (chemical) stressors at different levels.
5. Effects on different types of living organisms; ecotoxicology of producers - cyanobacteria, algae and higher plants; consumer ecotoxicology; man as part of ecosystems; ecotoxicology of destructors - bacteria, fungi.
6. Stress (chemical) at communities and community ecosystems; links between components of ecosystems, trophy levels; the effects of chemical stress on an ecosystem level; aquatic and terrestrial environment, case studies, ecosystem health indicators; saprobita vs. toxicity.
7. Experiments in ecotoxicology; laboratory testing vs. natural in situ studies and biomonitoring; design and organization of experiments of varying complexity; standardizability, repeatability, ecological interpretation of results.
8. Ecotoxicology study methods: laboratory bioassays; derivation and interpretation of ECx, LCx, LO (A) EL, NO (A) EL; methods of studying effects for aquatic and terrestrial organisms; more generic testing - laboratory microcosms; microbial ecotoxicology.
9. Methods of ecotoxicology in situ studies (types and selection of organisms and exposure, negative - background control values); biomonitoring.
10. Major classes of toxic substances in RU I; pure substances vs. mixtures; industrial and municipal waste, substances deliberately brought into ecosystems; brief characteristics of the main groups (input into the environment, fate and toxic effects).
11. Major Classes of Toxic Substances in the Environment II; pure substances vs. mixtures; industrial and municipal waste, substances deliberately brought into ecosystems; brief characteristics of the main groups (input into the environment, fate and toxic effects).
12. Application of Ecotoxicological Principles and the Importance of Modeling Structure-Biological Activity (QSAR), mathematical models for the fate and transport of substances in the environment and food chains. ecological risks national and international standards for ecotoxicology.
13. Legal use of knowledge of ecotoxicology, related practical aspects, standards; hygiene assessment of environmental quality - derivation and issues of safe limits.
Conditions for subject completion
Occurrence in study plans
Occurrence in special blocks
Assessment of instruction