Course detail

Ecotoxicology

FCH-MCO_EKTAcad. year: 2011/2012

Ecotoxicology - characterisation of the branch; definition of ecotoxicological biotests, their types according to the following criteria: exposure time, level of design of testing system, trophic level of testing systems, matrix tested, type of tested sample, method of evaluation; the importace and purpose of toxicity tests with various substances and preparations. Legislation dealing with ecotoxicological issues in the Czech Republic. Ecotoxicity - methods of determination. Waste ecotoxicity, classes of leaching status, LC (EC,IC) 50, testing scheme; limit, preliminary, basic, introductory, control tests; animals used for ecotoxicological tests. Evaluation of toxicity of substances and wastes for various organisms including the terrestric ones. Tests performed on higher plants and fungi - phytotoxicity tests.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Acquisition of knowledge necessary for the application of ecotoxicological biotests for evaluation of environment contamination

Prerequisites

Successful completion of courses Chemistry of environment I and II.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Oral examination in which knowledge acquired from lecture study texts and also from recommended literature is checked

Course curriculum


1.Importance and use of toxicity tests, definitions and acronyms
2.Methodical procedures used for implementation of acute toxicity tests
3.Test of inhibition of fresh water algae growth
4.Acute immobilisation test on daphnia and acute test on fish
5.Test of inhibition of Sinapis alba root growth
6.Recommended methods for breeding testing organisms; alternative toxicity tests
7.Bacterial bioluminiscence toxicity test
8.Test of inhibition of Lesser Duckweed (Lemna minor) growth
9.Evaluation of direct toxicity of waste water for Lesser Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Acquisition of basic knowledge on the application of ecotoxicology for evaluation of ecosystems load.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

none

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Shaw I.C., Chadwick J.: Principles of environmental toxicology (CS)
Horák J. a kol.: Úvod do toxikologie a ekologie pro chemiky (CS)

Recommended reading

Hoffman et al.: Handbook of Ecotoxicology (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

Type of course unit

 

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer