B3842 - Environmental Ecotoxicology

Learning outcomes

The student at the end of the course knows the effects of the main contaminants in the aquatic environment on various systems, with particular regard to the immune and endocrine systems. The student is able to apply knowledge on environmental risk assessment, through the use of dedicated applications. Finally, the student is aware of the impact of aquaculture systems on the environment and conversely the influence of the environment on health and food safety.

Course contents

The course will also use design thinking activities, which students will be required to carry out in groups, as tools for achieving these objectives.

Specifically, the contents of the Ecotoxicology Course are:

• Introduction to ecotoxicology: definitions, principles, general issues.
• Environmental distribution of contaminants.
• Biomarkers and bioindicators: definitions and description of major biomarkers.
• Main classes of contaminants of ecotoxicological interest: pesticides, halogenated compounds, PAHs, trace elements, plastics, nanoparticles, drugs, mixtures.
• Immunotoxicity.
  Endocrine interference.
• Risk assessment.

• Use of computer tools for risk assessment.

Self-assessment tests are administered periodically related to the program conducted so far and binding for access to the course material.

Readings/Bibliography

Required:

Material to be read and downloaded in Virtual.

Mark Parnis, Donald Mackay. Multimedia Environmental Models: The Fugacity Approach. Routledge, Taylor and Francis, 2021

Peter G. C. Campbell, Peter V. Hodson, Pamela M. Welbourn, David A. Wright (2022). Ecotoxicology. Cambridge University Press

Recommended but not required:

Sparling D. W. Ecotoxicology essentials. Academic Press, 2016

Access to the lecture material is progressive (follows lecture progress) and tied to the completion of self-assessment tests.

Students are reminded that the lecture slides ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS A TEXT ON WHICH TO STUDY, BUT JUST AN AUDIT TO THE TEACHING

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars.

NO LECTURE RECORDING IS PROVIDED.

Some lecture hours will be devoted to group work for design thinking activities.

Some practical exercises related to the use of analytical methods connected with the topics covered in class are planned.

Although not compulsory, lecture attendance is strongly recommended as information presented briefly in the lecture slides is clarified in detail, aspects found in the additional material provided by the lecturer and in the book chapters indicated as compulsory to study are deepened and explained. Attendance can then definitely facilitate exam preparation.

Assessment methods

Preparation of a report and related group powerpoint presentation related to the design thinking activity.

The grade obtained from the group work will be part of the final grade.

Written exam based on the analysis of a case study, in which the student will be asked to analyze a specific environmental pollution condition based on the knowledge acquired in the classroom, to be conducted on the eol.unibo.it platform. Examination tests will be given in the classroom with the lecturer. The evaluation scheme of the paper will be provided by the lecturer during the classroom simulations.

Oral to possibly supplement the grade obtained, at the student's discretion.

The final grade is derived from the average of the grades obtained (presentation, written and possible oral).

For the purpose of exam preparation we will rely on what is presented in the classroom, the text indicated as mandatory and the supplementary material provided by the lecturer on virtuale.unibo.it platform.

Teaching tools

Lecture Slides. It is reiterated that this material IS NOT to be considered the material on which to prepare for the exam.

Supplementary materials provided by the lecturer (for case studies and exercises).

The course includes extensive use of images and videos. Students with special needs who need to use different material are invited to contact the lecturer directly so that he/she can prepare specific material.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Zaccaroni