Ecotoxicology

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Ecotoxicology

Ecology and Environmental Sciences N012

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

2

Self-studies

9

Seminars

0

Aims of course

To deepen knowledge about the toxicokinetics of environmental pollutants in organisms, the biochemical mechanisms of their effects in organisms; and the techniques for the studies of biomarkers of environmental pollution, which are used for prediction and evaluation of the ecosystem health.

Main topics

Classical ecotoxicology. General principles of ecotoxicological assays, links between medical toxicology. Fate of chemicals in water. Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of xenobiotics in hydrobionts. Bioaccumulation and bioconcentration models. Analytical ecotoxicology. Metals, their physiological, biochemical and molecular effects on aquatic organisms. Physico-chemical properties, effects in physiological and biochemical level of organic xenobiotics – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),  polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, organophosphorus insecticides, carbamate compounds, surfactants, uncoulpers of oxidative phosphorylation and aenesthetics,    Biomarkers of environmental pollution (physiological, enzymatic, oxidative stress, endocrine system disruption, involed in xenobiotic biotransformation or in the termination of nerve impulse transmission). Environmental factors, which modify toxicity of xenobiotics. Concentrations of hazardous chemicals in Lithuanian water bodies and effluents. Applied ecotoxicology. International ecotoxicological databases. Principles of Quantative structure activity relationship (QSARS). EU legislation on the management of hazardous chemicals in the water bodies. Calculation of PEC/PNEC ratio. Biomarkers in environmental monitoring programmes.

Main literature

1. Četkauskaitė A. Ekotoksikologija: cheminių medžiagų veikimo mechanizmai. Mokomoji knyga.Vilniaus Universiteto leidykla, 1999, 455 p. http://www.bbk.gf.vu.lt/Ecotox1999.html

2. Četkauskaitė A. Biocheminė toksikologija. Kaunas: Technologija, 2008, 163 p.

3. Walker C.H., Sibly R.M.,Hopkin S.P. , Peakall.  Principles of ecotoxicology. Fourth edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press Taylor and Francis group, 2012, 366 p.

4. Amiard-Triquet C., Amiard J.-C., Rainbow P. S. Ecological biomarkers. Indicators of ecotoxicological effects. Boca Raton: CRC Press Taylor and Francis group, 2013, 452 p.

5. Rand G. (Ed.). Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology. Effects, Environmental Fate and Risk Assessment. Second edition. Washington, Taylor and Francis, 1995, 1125 p.

6. International Program of chemical safety  IPCS INCHEM http://www.inchem.org/

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Exam

The final score of the taught subject consists of the assessment of presentation and answers to the given questions from the whole course material with weighting coefficients of 0.7 and 0.3, respectively.

The maximum score for presentation is 10.

The following aspects of presentation are evaluated:

-Structure and scope of the work: corresponds to the form, contains all the necessary parts (introduction based on scientific knowledge, problem, analysis and interpretation; conclusions), the work is of appropriate scope (2 points);

-Analysis and conclusions: the analysis is very detailed, based on new scientific articles, the conclusions are substantiated, formulated on the basis of the data of the analyzed material (7 points); if the analysis is performed but not complete, the conclusions are not always substantiated, 2 points are awarded, no points are awarded for a superficial analysis.

-Scientific style and culture of communication: appropriate usage of sources and citations; the speech and style meet the requirements of the research paper (1 point).

Criteria for the evaluation of the answers to the questions: 10-9 - Excellent or very good knowledge and skills. Student is able to evaluate and apply knowledge. 8 - good knowledge and skills, there may be minor mistakes. Student is able to summarize. 7 - Average knowledge and skills, there are mistakes. Student is able to analyze. 6 - Knowledge and skills are below average, there are significant mistakes. 5 - Knowledge and skills still meet the minimum requirements, many mistakes. 4-1 - Minimum requirements not met.

Virginija Kalcienė

PhD

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sciences Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman