Lectures: 1. Introduction to ecotoxicology Ecotoxicology - the characterization and main objectives of the field; biotest - definition, history, purpose, ecotoxicological biotests - their division on the basis of the duration of exposure, advances in the testing system design, trophic levels of testing organisms, tested matrices, the type of a tested sample, assessment methods; an overview of OECD, ISO, EU and Czech standards; the importance and purpose of toxicity tests with chemical substances and preparations and their use 2. Ecotoxicity and its evaluation Legislation pertaining to ecotoxicology in the Czech Republic and EU. Ecotoxicity - methods of determination, acute toxicity, controls - internal and external. Ecological risks of chemical substances and products including pesticides. Toxicological characteristics of waste products - ecotoxicity, classes of elution ability, LC (EC, IC)50, testing schemes, limit tests, preliminary, basic, introductory, range-finding tests. Use of animals for ecotoxicity testing 3. Assessing toxicity of chemicals and waste products to aquatic environment species First-generation biotests - an overview, advantages and disadvantages. Second- and third-generation microbiotests. Toxicity tests using fish and other aquatic organisms such as algae and Daphnia. Tests on the level of cells, living organisms, and biocenoses -advantages and disadvantages. Tests of toxicity with fish - principles, acute, longer-term, embryolarval and chronic tests. Static, semi-static and flow-through tests. NOEC/LOEC. Growth inhibition tests of freshwater algae, acute immobilisation tests using Daphnia, bacterial bioluminescence test, Lemna minor growth inhibition test, evaluation of dangerous characteristics of waste elution, elution-based and contact tests. 4. Toxicity tests on terrestrial organisms Tests using higher plants - phytotoxicity tests: a test of inhibition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) root growth. Tests on soil organisms: a test of reproductive inhibition in springtails (Folsomia candida), toxicity test with Eisenia fetida - a paper contact toxicity test and artificial soil test. Ecotoxicity tests using the honey bee 5. Important xenobiotics in the environment and their effects on organisms Chemical adverse substances, specific and non-specific and local irritating effects (corrosive acids and alkalis), systemic whole-body effects (direct toxicity, biochemical mechanisms, immunotoxicity), late-effects (genotoxic - mutagenic substances, carcinogens, reproductive and developmental toxicity), exposure risks, factors influencing adverse effects, POPs, persistence, bioaccumulation. Pesticides - occurrence, development, biopesticides and their toxicity 6. Tensides Basic terms and definitions, detergents, history of production, types of surfactants and their use, anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric tensides. Ecological problems associated with the use of tensides, liquid cleaning products, ecological "environment-sparing products, the toxicity of tensides for fish and other aquatic organisms (invertebrates), biodegradability of tensides Blocks of practical lessons are aimed at 1) performing different tests of toxicity applicable in EU countries, i.e. Acute toxicity test using Poecilia reticulata Acute toxicity test using Daphnia magna Growth inhibition test using Raphidocelis subcapitata Growth inhibition test using Sinapis alba Growth inhibition test using Lemna minor Bacterial bioluminescence test using Vibrio fischeri Reproductive inhibition test using Folsomia candida Growth inhibition test using Lactuca sativa 2) Other toxicity tests (OECD, EU) including Reproductive inhibition test using Daphnia magna Longer-term tests using fish Embryolarval tests using fish Tests of toxicity using terrestrial organisms (earthworms, birds, mammals) 3) Video documentation Toxicity tests using fish Embryolarval toxicity tests using fish and/or amphibians
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The aim of the course is to acquaint students with methods for evaluating the ecotoxicity of chemical substances including pesticides, wastes and wastewater. Another important objective is to monitor the sources, transfer and effects of metals and pollutants in the environment. Persistence and effects of persistent substances in the environment are assessed by chemical but mainly biological monitoring methods. The final objective of the course is to acquaint students with methods of identifying and evaluating environmental risks.
Theoretical knowledge The student is able to: - evaluate chemical substances, products and/or wastes using ecotoxicological tests required by legislation, - interpret results of ecotoxicological tests and classify chemical substances, products and/or wastes based on their ecotoxicity. Practical skills The student is able to: - define the danger of chemical substances, products and/or wastes based on their ecotoxicity, - describe methods to evaluate ecotoxicity of chemical substances, products and/or wastes. Competences The student is able to: - plan and perform selected ecotoxicity tests for risk evaluation of chemical substances, products and/or wastes.
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CAIRNS J, NIEDERLEHNER BR (Editors). Ecological Toxicity Testing.. Publishers, Boca Raton, 1995.
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Calow,P. (ed.)1994. Handbook of Ecotoxicology - Vol.2. Blackwell Scientific Publications . Oxford, 416 pp..
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Cockerham,L.G. - Shane,B.S.(eds.). Basic Environmental Toxicology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 627 pp..
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