Bi5620c Ecotoxicological Bioassays - practical course

Faculty of Science
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
0/0/2. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jiří Novák, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Jana Vašíčková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Dana Fojtová (seminar tutor)
RNDr. Luděk Sehnal, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Soňa Smetanová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Marie Smutná, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites (in Czech)
NOW( Bi5620 Ecotoxicological Bioassays )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to obtain practical experience and skills necessary for the planning, preparation and realization of standardized ecotoxicological assessment of hazard of chemicals, their mixtures and various materials or environmental samples. An important aim is also the development of the ability to prepare representative quality design of the assessment based on available legislative guidelines and further critical evaluation of test validity and results interpretation.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Design, plan and carry out the ecotoxicological evaluation of hazardousness of various materials (chemical compounds, mixtures of chemicals, wastes, contaminated environmental matrices)
- Arrange a battery of biotests designed specifically according to the scope of the assessment
- Design the optimal test arrangement to minimize the cost and number of needed model organism and maximize the gained information
- Conduct the ecotoxicological biotest with model organisms on different trophic levels (producers, consumers and decomposers) according to standard guidelines
- Analyse the obtained data and calculate the main toxicity parameters such as EC50, LOEC, NOEC
- Appraise the validity and representativeness of data obtained from ecotoxicological tests
- Predict the toxicity of various materials/compounds on the base of the results of ecotoxicological biotests
- Assess the limitations of the tests in extrapolation of the results to other species
- Discuss the practical aspects of ecotoxicological biotests
- Analyze and interpret the biotest results also from other institutions
- Prepare standard reports of the ecotoxicological assessment according to the legal and guideline requirements
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction – current needs of ecotoxicological testing, requirements for evaluation of ecotoxicity of stressors, ethical aspects of ecotoxicological testing
  • 2) Tests with representatives of different trophic levels, special biotests, selection and setup of battery of biotests
  • 3) Test design, planning and realization of biotests, practical aspects of the testing
  • 4) Legal context, standardized tests – guideline system CSN, ISO, OECD
  • 5) Test of ecotoxicity for producers I. – test of growth inhibition of green algae (based on OECD 201 (ISO 8692) norms)
  • 6) Test of ecotoxicity for decomposers – acute toxicity test with luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri (based on ISO 14735 (2005))
  • 7) Test of ecotoxicity for consumers – test of immobilization of Daphnia magna (based on ČSN ISO 6341)
  • 8) Test of ecotoxicity for soil organisms + practical aspects of tests for solid matrices (based on ISO 11267 (1999))
  • 9) In vitro tests for evaluation of specific effects of contaminants
  • 10) Tests of ecotoxicity with vertebrates – demonstration of fish toxicity tests
  • 11) Test of acute toxicity for fish embryo Danio rerio (based on OECD draft Fish Embryo Toxicity Test)
  • 12) Microbiotests – fast tests of second generation
  • 13) Evaluation, analysis and interpretation of the measured data, evaluation of dose-response curves, calculation of EC50, LOEC, NOEC
  • 14) Preparation of standardized reports from tests, GLP and validity requirements
Literature
  • Rand, G.M. Fundamentals of aquatic toxicology. Taylor and Francis, 1995, Washington D.C.
  • Ecotoxicology : a hierarchical treatment. Edited by Michael C. Newman - Charles H. Jagoe. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers, 1996, 411 s. ISBN 0-56670-127-9. info
  • CALOW, P. Handbook of Ecotoxicology Vol. I and II. London, U.K.: Blackwell Scientific publications, 1993. info
Teaching methods
The class consists of theoretical introductory part and set of practical laboratory exercises in small groups. The learning activities include individual home study of the methodology and theoretical preparation for the biotests, practical realization of the biotests in laboratory, data analysis and preparation of detailed protocols from each biotest.
Assessment methods
Requirements for the credit: active presence in all lab exercises, data analysis of the tests results and elaboration of detailed protocols for each conducted test
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Autumn 2002, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018.
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