Course detail

Laboratory Classes in Ecotoxicology

FCH-MCO_EKT_PAcad. year: 2014/2015

The content of the course is to acquaint students with the principles and reasons for testing of chemicals, chemical products and wastes with regard to their potential ecotoxicity and to familiarize with the practical utility of the obtained results in the assessment of the effects of tested matrices on ecosystems. Structure of content is following. Ecological properties of chemicals, chemical products and waste. Basic principles and reasons for testing of chemicals and wastes. Legislation in the field ecotoxicological testing of chemicals and waste, sludge and sediments. Importance and the main principles of aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology, Bioassays - definition, importance, principles, classification. Preparation of chemicals for ecotoxicological testing; testing scheme, the concentration range, limit, preliminary and final tests. Preparation of waste water leachates for the purposes of assessing hazardous properties ecotoxicity H-14 (initial tests, confirmatory tests, preliminary tests, basic tests). Testing and subsequent evaluation of the results of tests conducted on organisms of aquatic ecosystems (Daphnia magna, Thamnocephalus platyurus, Lemna minor, Vibrio fischeri, Desmodesmus subspicatus). Testing and evaluation of test results on organisms of terrestrial ecosystems (Eisenia fetida, Sinapis alba, Lactuca sativa).

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. MVDr. Helena Zlámalová Gargošová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection (ÚCHTOŽP)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Learning how to carry out ecotoxicological biotests and to interpret their results.

1. Students will learn how to practically implement ecotoxicological bioassays and interpret the obtained results. This means that they will be able to design, organise realisation of tests and to interpret results of ecotoxicological evaluation of different types of matrices (chemicals, wastes, contaminated, environmental matrices) in accordance with requirements of current legislation.
2. Will be able to select optimal ecotoxicity test or to design optimal battery of ecotoxicity tests (standard or alternative) in accordance with the objectives of the concrete study;
3. On the base of results of ecotoxicological tests (LC50, EC50 etc.) they will be able to predict the influence of various chemicals and contaminated environmental matrices on biota of the specific ecosystem.

All findings will be confronted with the requirements of current legislation of the Czech Republic and the EU at process assessment of chemicals and wastes with regard to environmental protection.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of toxicology, biology, ecology, environmental chemistry, fundamentals of statistic data evaluation. Practical skills necessary to work in a chemical laboratory obtained in basic laboratory classes.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course uses teaching methods in form of Laboratory exercise - 2 teaching hours per week. The e-learning system (LMS Moodle) is available to teachers and students.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The basis for course unit-credit is to working out protocols from laboratory exercises in the required quality. Participation on all laboratory exercises. Power-point presentation of the results of ecotoxicity tests

Course curriculum

1. Basic principles and reasons for testing of chemicals and wastes.
2. Legislation in the field of ecotoxicological evaluation of chemicals, sewage sludge and sediments
3. Importance and the main principles of aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology, Bioassays - definition, importance, principles, classification.
4. Preparation of chemicals for ecotoxicological testing, concentration range, limit, preliminary and final tests. Waste water leachates preparation.
5. Standard tests (ISO, OECD) versus alternative tests. The using alternative tests in aquatic ecotoxicology - Thamnotoxkit FTM, Daphtoxkit FTM - practical implementation.
6. Standard tests in aquatic arrangement - tests on Lemna minor, Sinapis alba – practical implementation. Test on algae Desmodesmus subspicatus, on bacteria Vibrio fischeri and on fish Brachydanio rerio – presentation.
7. Tests in contact arrangement – sediment testing on ostracoda Heterocypris incongruens (Ostracodtoxkit), screening tests on seeds of salad Lactuca sativa - practical implementation. Acute, chronic tests on earthworm Eisenia fetida, Test of escape behavior on Eisenia fetida – presentation.
8. Calculation of ecotoxicological values (LC, EC, IC etc.) and their presentation with regards of present legislation in field chemicals and waste and prediction of their effects on ecosystem.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Gaining knowledge enabling the use of bioassays for ecotoxicological assessment of the level of contamination of the environment; familiarize students with the principles of ecotoxicological testing using standard and alternative ecotoxicity tests to evaluate the effects of various contaminated environmental matrices (waste water, soil, sediment) and chemicals and wastes on the live components of the ecosystem. Apply lessons learned use in real situation - the choice of relevant test (tests battery) and proper arrangement of tests (in contact arrangement /aquatic arrangement of the tests) for predicting the effects on the different functional levels (producers, consumers, decomposers) ecosystems (aquatic / terrestrial), calculate the output ecotoxicological values (LC, EC, IC, NOEC, LOEC) and on their basis to estimate risk for the ecosystem.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance at the laboratory exercise is compulsory, submission of the protocols, processing presentation of the results of ecotoxicological tests. 100% participation at exercise.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Fargašová A.: Ekotoxikologické biotesty. Bratislava, Perfekt. 2009 (CS)
Fargašová A.: Environmentálna toxikológia a všeobecná ekotoxikológia. Bratislava -Orman, 2008 (CS)
Svobodová Z. akol.: Ekotoxikologie, praktická cvičení. VFU Brno. 2010 (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

Type of course unit

 

Laboratory exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. MVDr. Helena Zlámalová Gargošová, Ph.D.