Kristin Schirmer: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

Name Prof. Dr. Kristin Schirmer
Address
EAWAG
Überlandstr. 133
I. f. Biogeochemie/Schadstoffdyn.
8600 Dübendorf
SWITZERLAND
Telephone044 823 52 66
Fax044 823 53 11
E-mailkristin.schirmer@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipAdjunct Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-1312-00LAdvanced Ecotoxicology3 credits2VR. Eggen, E. Janssen, K. Schirmer, A. Tlili
AbstractThis course will take up the principles of environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology from the bachelor courses and deepen the understanding on selected topics. Linkages will be made between i) bioavailability and effects, ii) structures of compounds and modes of toxic action, iii) effects over various biological levels, moderated by environmental factors, iv) chemical and biological assessments
Objective- Understanding the key processes involved in fate, behavior and the bioaccumulation of (mainly) organic contaminants
- Overview on and understanding of mechanisms of toxicity
- linking structures and characteristics of compounds with effects
- processes in hazard assessment and risk assessment
- get insight in integrative approaches in ecotoxicology
ContentUnits 1-3: Fate of contaminants, dynamic interactions with the (a)biotic environment, toxikokinetics
- physico-chemical properties
- partitioning processes in environmental compartments
- partitioning to biota
- bioavailability and bioaccumulation concepts
- partitioning in biota

Units 4-6: Toxicodynamics (effect of contaminants on biota)
- internal concentrations; dose-response concept
- molecular mechanisms of toxic actions - classification
- Exercise: databases and estimation of toxicity

Unit 7-10: Toxic effects: from molecular to ecosystems
- complex mechanisms and feedback loops
- mixtures and multiple stressors
- stress- and adaptive responses
- dynamic exposures
- confounding factors, food web interactions
- Exercise: linking compounds with modes of toxic action

Unit 11: metal ecotoxicology

Unit 12-14: integrative approaches and case studies
- bioassays, -omics, systems ecotoxicology, phenotypic anchoring
- in vivo versus in vitro biotesting
- linking chemical with biological analytics
- bioassay-directed fractionation and identification
- (inter) national case studies and linkage of learned with approaches in practice
Lecture notesMaterial will be in the form of copies of overheads, selected publications and exercise material.
LiteratureR.P. Schwarzenbach, P.M. Gschwend, D.M. Imboden, Environmental Organic Chemistry, third edition, Wiley, 2005

C.J. van Leeuwen, J.L.M. Hermens (Editoren), Risk Assessment of Chemicals: An Introduction, Kluwer, 1995

Principles of ecotoxicology, CH Walker, RM Sibly, SP Hopkin, DB Peakall, fourth edition, CRC Press, 2012
Prerequisites / NoticeRequired:

1. Basics in environmental chemistry

2. Basics in environmental toxicology
701-1330-00LMolecular Ecotoxicology Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 18.

Target group: MSc Environmental Sciences.

Students of the target group will be prefered until 16.04.2021
Waiting list will be deleted after 30.04.2021.
3 credits6PK. Schirmer, K. Groh, C. vom Berg-Maurer
AbstractThis laboratory course enables students to become familiar with state-of-the-art methods and concepts of molecular ecotoxicology. We explore mechanisms of action of chemicals occurring in our freshwaters on fish cells and embryos. The course is organized in theoretical and practical training components, including data evaluation and presentation. Students work both in class and in small groups.
ObjectiveMolecular methods are crucial for shedding light on mechanisms underlying biological structure and function under normal and stress conditions. The aim of this course it to demonstrate the power of these methods but also their limits and to enable students to appreciate them both in theoretical and practical terms.
ContentTraining comprises designing and carrying out of chemical exposure experiments and assessment of disturbances or defense responses in fish cells and embryos, such as impact on viability, sub-lethal developmental effects, growth, and associated gene or protein expression. Applied techniques include cell/embryo culture, microscopy techniques, polymerase chain reaction, video analysis and statistics.
Lecture notesCourse material will be provided in the form of background scripts and method protocols.
LiteratureNo particular recommendation.
Prerequisites / NoticeBasic knowledge in cell and molecular biology as well as ecotoxicology are required.