VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

529-0037-01L 4 Credits BSC D-CHAB
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology

Grundlagen der Umweltchemie und Ökotoxikologie

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Christa Susanne McArdell, Prof. Dr. Thomas Hofstetter, Prof. Dr. Juliane Hollender
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:29:17

Abstract

What happens to chemicals in the environment? How do we determine whether they degrade over decades and accumulate in the food chain? Answers to these questions are provided in this lecture, which covers basic knowledge about distribution behavior, environmental analysis, abiotic and biotic degradation reactions, and toxic effects of chemicals as part of environmental chemical risk analysis.

Objective

Students will develop a basic understanding for fate and effects of chemicals in the environment and learn how to use simple quantitative tools for the assessment of chemical behaviour and toxic effects.

Content

Part 1: Partitioning and reactivity * Physico-chemical description of partitioning behaviour of organic compounds * Partitioning in environmental media including soil/sediment, air, water * Chemical and biological transformations Part 2: Effects * Test systems for the assessment of ecotoxicological effects of chemicals * Bioavailability and bioaccumulation * Metabolisms of organic compounds * Molecular mechanisms of toxic action Part 3: Analyses * Analytical methods for quantification of substances in water, soil, and air * Sampling, sample preparation and quantification of organic compounds in environmental media

Resources

Lecture Notes

Handouts/lecture slides will be made available electronically

Literature

R.P. Schwarzenbach, P.M. Gschwend, D.M. Imboden, Environmental Organic Chemistry, third edition, Wiley, 2017 C.J. van Leeuwen, T.G. Vermeire (Editoren), Risk Assessment of Chemicals: An Introduction, Kluwer, 2007 Fent, Ecotoxicology, Thieme, 4.Auflage, 2013 U . A. Bölsterli , Mechanistic Toxicology , 2. Auflage, CRC Press, 2007 Campell et al., Ecotoxicology, Cambridge University Press, 2022

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes
Für die Zulassung zur mündlichen Sessionsprüfung müssen 3 von 5 schriftlichen Übungen abgegeben sowie zusammen mit einem anderen Studierenden eine Präsentation zu zwei Publikationen zu einem aktuellem Thema der Umweltchemie oder -toxikologie gehalten werden. Die Übungen und die Präsentation werden mit bestanden/nicht-bestanden bewertet.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Grundlagen der Umweltchemie und Ökotoxikologie
In der Vorlesung werden Kenntnisse über Verteilungsverhalten, Umweltanalytik, abiotische und biotische Abbaureaktionen und toxische Wirkungen von Chemikalien als Grundlage für die chemische Risikoanalyse behandelt.
  • Thu 08:45-11:30 (HCI E 8)
3 h weekly

Offered In