E0323 Ecotoxicology

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/1. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. RNDr. Jakub Hofman, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Wed 9:00–10:50 D29/252-RCX1
Prerequisites
This is an introductory course to science and applications of Ecotoxicology. The only prerequisite is knowledge of general biology and chemistry (secondary school level). The course is lectured in English for both Czech and international students, including visiting students. Basic understanding to spoken English is required, the speed of lecturing is slower and adjusted to students´ needs. This allows for good understanding and practicing of scientific English through listening, speaking (group discussions, case studies) and writing (periodic small tests, final written and oral exam).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
Course objectives
The aims of this introductory course to Ecotoxicology are (1) to introduce Ecotoxicology as highly important and relevant science discipline with numerous practical and regulatory applications, (2) to provide an overview of scientific problems, concepts and methodologies as well as ecotoxicological data and their analyses and interpretations, (3) to learn and practice the knowledge through case studies in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Learning outcomes
After the course:
Student will understand Ecotoxicology as interdisciplinary science combining principles and concepts of exposure assessment to stressors (namely hazardous chemicals) with the assessment of their hazards (i.e. adverse effects that stressors cause to living systems).
Student will be be able to explain principles and discuss examples of prototypical stressors and their effects – from molecules and cells to individuals, populations and ecosystems; from microorganisms and plants to animals including humans.
Student will be able to describe essential ecotoxicological methods, i.e. biological assays in aquatic and terrerstrial systems, and interprete simple ecotoxicological data with respect to potential environmental risks.
Student will be able to address and discuss the use of ecotoxicological knowledge in solving practical environmental problems, including the regulation and management of chemicals.
Syllabus
  • The following is general outline of the course content. Detailed timetable is provided in the beginning of each semester
  • 1 – Ecotoxicology – brief history, motivation and needs for ecotoxicology science. Essential terms – Exposure, Hazards, Risks, dose-response. Framework of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) in eco/toxicology as an approach used during the course. [Example and case stories - DDT, Mercury-Hg].
  • 2 & 3 – Exposures and stressors – pollution sources and main groups of toxic compounds in the environment. Environmental fate (transport, distribution, transformations) and driving properties of chemical compounds (lipophilicity - Kow, reactivity/stability). Bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, biomagnification. Bioavailability – principles and examples. Overview of major groups of hazardous chemicals - examples, properties. [Case studies – environmental fate of chemicals in different environments].
  • 4 – Living systems & Ecotoxicology. Structure and functions of living organisms as targets of toxicants. Ecophysiological roles - Producers, Consumers, Decomposers. Theory of stress and stress responses. Energy – homeostasis, distribution and disturbances in response to stressors (DEB – Dynamic Energy Budget concept). Adaptation to stress – physiological and evolutionary adaptation mechanisms. Principles determining sensitivity of organisms to chemical toxicity. [Case studies – adaptation and biological sensitivity]
  • 5 – Toxicokinetics – concept of exposures (dose, concentration) and response and the role of toxicokinetics. ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) processes in different organisms. [Case studies – evaluation of exposure and toxicokinetics in different environments].
  • 6 – Toxicodynamics – Molecular initiating events as drivers of AOPs. Principles of toxicodynamic interactions with biomolecules in living systems. Modes of action – nonspecific (non-reactives/reactive) vs specific (key-lock). Phospholipids (membranes), nucleic acids and proteins as targets of toxic compounds. Complex toxicity mechanisms (oxidative stress, nuclear receptors - AhR, ER, AR) & corresponding adverse outcomes at individual level. [Case studies – toxicity and ecotoxicity of model chemicals]
  • 7 – Ecotoxicological effects at the level of individuals. Key apical endpoints - lethality, growth and development, reproduction. Examples of the effects at producers, consumers and decomposers & corresponding adverse outcomes at the levels of populations and ecosystems. [Case studies – fish ecotoxicity - from embryo to populations]
  • 8 - (Chemical) stress in populations, communities and ecosystems. Populations and their responses to stress; structural and functional parameters, evolutionary adaptations. Communities and toxic stress – floristic and faunistic records, community indices, key species, bioindicators. [Case study - river contamination case study]
  • 9 - Experimental ecotoxicology - bioassays, types, design, results - (eco)toxicological data and concentration-response curve, LCx, ECx, NOEC, LOEC. Examples of the most important bioassays. [Case studies – selection of bioassays for given problem, concrete results of bioassay]
  • 10 - Ecotoxicological applications. Prospective and retrospective risk assessment - principles and examples, derivation of safe values (PNEC) and environmental limits, PEC vs PNEC, RQ/HQ. Use of bioassays in regulatory frameworks [Case studies – REACH, pesticides]
  • 11 - Ecotoxicological methodology for field studies - real problems in real ecosystems and how to address ecotoxicity, causality, TRIAD approach and weight of evidence, sampling, bioindication, biomonitoring [Case studies – contaminated site study ...]
  • 12 – Advanced Environmental toxikology, current research directions - ecotoxicology in the 21st century (in vitro, in silico), 3R, AOPs, exposome and omics technologies, nanomaterials, microplastics.
Literature
  • CAMPBELL, P. G. C., Peter V. HODSON, Pamela WELBOURN, David A. WRIGHT, Valérie S. LANGLOIS, Christopher J. MARTYNIUK, Christopher D. METCALFE and Louise M. WINN. Ecotoxicology. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022, xviii, 576. ISBN 9781108819732. info
  • VAN GESTEL, Kees. Environmental Toxicology, an open online textbook. 2021. URL info
  • BLÁHA, Luděk and Jakub HOFMAN. Ecotoxicology of Environmental Pollutants. Online. In Jan Filip;Tomáš Cajthaml; Petra Najmanová; Miroslav Černík; Radek Zbořil. Advanced Nano-Bio Technologies for Water and Soil Treatment. Cham: Springer, 2020, p. 549-572. ISBN 978-3-030-29839-5. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29840-1_27. URL info
  • NEWMAN, Michael C. Fundamentals of ecotoxicology : the science of pollution. Fifth edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2020, xxv, 681. ISBN 9780815354024. info
Teaching methods
Weekly classes (each week in the semester). Lectures are combined with group discussions (problem solving, case studies), and weekly mini-tests in IS MUNI (ROPOTS).
Assessment methods
Systematic weekly activity is required during the semester: this is checked by weekly ROPOTS (Odpovědníky) in IS MUNI. Students are required to ask all ROPOTs, each with 80% success. Final exam consists of (i) a written test (70% weight), (ii) oral exam - 2 broader discussion questions (30%).
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught each semester.
General note: www.recetox.muni.cz.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2022, Spring 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2023/E0323