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Advanced Ecotoxicology
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:07:24
Abstract
This course will take up the principles of environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology from the bachelor courses and deepen the understanding on selected topics. Linkages will be made between i) bioavailability and effects, ii) structures of compounds and modes of toxic action, iii) effects over various biological levels, moderated by environmental factors, iv) chemical and biological assessments
Objective
• describe the key processes involved in fate, behavior and the bioaccumulation of (mainly) organic contaminants • demonstrate overview on and understanding of mechanisms of toxicity • relate structures and characteristics of compounds with effects • explain processes in hazard assessment and risk assessment • obtain further insight in integrative approaches in ecotoxicology
Content
Units 1-4: Interactions of chemicals with the (a)biotic environment - physico-chemical properties - partitioning processes in environmental compartments - chemical analysis and effect directed analysis - partitioning to biological phases - uptake and elimination (Toxicokinetics part 1) - exercise: personal student chemicals and their environmental behavior Units 5-7: Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics - toxicokinetic mechanisms: biotransformation and elimination - baseline toxicity, internal concentrations, molecular targets - specific molecular mechanisms of toxic actions – classification - consequences for organism/population function - Exercise: databases and estimation of toxicity Unit 8-10: Toxic effects: from molecular to ecosystems - biological analysis and -omics approaches - level of complexity: molecules–cells–organisms–ecosystems - stress- and adaptive responses - multiple species concept - metal ecotoxicology Unit 11-14: Stressor and exposure scenarios - mixtures and multiple stressors - targets and non-targets - dynamic exposures, time and dose, risk assessment - (inter) national case studies and linkage of learned concepts with approaches in practice - Exercise: linking compounds with modes of toxic action
Resources
Lecture Notes
Material will be in the form of copies of lecture slides, selected publications and exercise material.
Literature
R.P. Schwarzenbach, P.M. Gschwend, D.M. Imboden, Environmental Organic Chemistry, third edition, Wiley, 2005 Principles of ecotoxicology, CH Walker, RM Sibly, SP Hopkin, DB Peakall, fourth edition, CRC Press, 2012
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Advanced Ecotoxicology |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Doctorate Environmental Sciences (More Information at: )
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