Bi2003 Ecotoxicology
Syllabus / Key words for final test (Introduction to Ecotoxicology - lecturer: Ludek Bláha)
• CASE STUDIES AND EXAMPLES - examples of adverse effects at population and ecosystem
effects (e.g. DDT, avermectin antiparasitics)
• ADVERSE OUTCOME PATHWAYS (concept and examples - e.g. estrogens)
o from Bioavailability (definition?, examples?) through Toxicity mechanisms (examples
of molecular mechanisms?, examples of toxic effects at cell level?) to Effects at
organism, population and ecosystem levels)
• DOSE-RESPONSE - Concentration-response relationships (principles, standard curve for
toxicity bioassay, derivation of EC50, LOEC, NOEC)
• TYPES OF EFFECTS at different levels
o (i) Modes of Action of chemicals at molecular level (some examples of
mechanisms?),
o (ii) Effects of chemicals at cell level (what key processes are affected?),
o (iii) Effects of chemicals at the organism level (what are the apical endpoints?
mortality, reproduction + other chronic),
o (iv) Effects at population and ecosystem levels (some examples?)
• ASSESSING TOXIC EFFECTS
o testing of individual chemicals and contaminated samples
o principles (batteries of assays from different trophic levels)
o effect assessment (laboratory bioassays - micro/mesocosm - field
biomonitoring/bioindication)
• ECOTOXICITY APPLICATIONS - RISK ASSESSMENT
o What is the principle of "assessment of risks"? What is Hazard? What is Risk?
o What is the outcome of EXPOSURE assessment (answer: PEC) and EFFECT
assessment (answer: PNEC)? How is PNEC derived from toxicity data (answer: by
applying assessment/uncertainty factors). How is PNEC projected in legislation
(answer: EQS)
o What is the Hazard Index (or synonymum Risk Quotient)? What is the range of
values for HI or RQ? How is it used? (answer: RQ<1 = no risk, no management
needed, RQ>1 ==> management of risks needed)
o REACH legislation example - What bioassays (specific examples) are the most
commonly required by legislation?