701-1312-00L  Advanced Ecotoxicology

SemesterSpring Semester 2017
LecturersR. Eggen, E. Janssen, K. Schirmer, M. Suter
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
701-1312-00 VAdvanced Ecotoxicology2 hrs
Tue08:15-10:00LFW C 5 »
R. Eggen, E. Janssen, K. Schirmer, M. Suter

Catalogue data

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 notesParts of scripts will be distributed, otherwise copies of overheads and selected publications
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

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersR. Eggen, E. Janssen, K. Schirmer, M. Suter
Typesession examination
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionThe performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examinationoral 30 minutes
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

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Restrictions

There are no additional restrictions for the registration.

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Doctoral Department of Environmental SciencesBiogoechemistry and Pollutant DynamicsWInformation
Health Sciences and Technology MasterModule: Environment and HealthWInformation
Food Science MasterOptional SubjectsWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterBiogeochemical ProcessesWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterEnvironment and HealthWInformation