75821 - Ecotoxicology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires knowledge on main contaminats in aquatic environment, on their dynamics and kinetics and on the effects onthe various systems, with particular respect to the immune and the endocrine system. The student is able to recognize the principal poisonings and to apply identification and analytical methods for the confirmation of diagnostic hypothesis. He will also be able to perform an analysis of the toxicological risk deriving from most common environmental pollutants.

Course contents

The Integrated Course (CI) aims to provide students with an overview of farming systems in Aquaculture, in the light of the most advanced technologies and standards, taking into account the impact of these systems on the environment and, conversely, the influence of the environment on food health and safety.

This approach is inserted within the scope of the current legislation, trying to stimulate the student’s ability to identify and critically analyze the legislative evolution of the European Union, national and regional sectors.

In detail, the topics of the Ecotoxicology Course will be:

• Introduction to ecotoxicology: definitions, principles, general problems.
• Principles of toxicokinetics.
• Environmental distribution of contaminants.
• Biomarkers and bioindicators: definitions and description of the principal biomarkers.
• Principal classes of contaminants of ecotoxicological interest: pesticides, halogenated compounds, PAH, trace elements, plastics, nanoparticles, drugs, mixtures.
• Immunotoxicity.
• Endocrine disruption.
• Risk assessment.
• Impact of aquaculture on the ecosystems.
• Case studies. Case studies are analyzed in class with the help of the teacher and will constitute the written exam.

NO LECTURE RECORDING IS PROVIDED.

Self-evaluation test are periodically given, on the topics explained at the moment, conditioning the access to the study material.

 

Details on the program can be found in the syllabus

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory:

Classes notes, downloadable from Virtuale.

Blasco J., Chapman P.M., Campana O., Hampel M. Marine Ecotoxicology. Current Knowledge and future issues. Academic Press 2016

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

Suggested but not mandatory:

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

Amiard-Triquet C. Amiard J.C., Mouneyrac C. Aquatic Ecotoxicology. Academic Press, 2015

 

The access to the didactic material is progressive (follows the sequence of classes given) and conditioned to self-evaluation test performance.

 

Be aware that slides of lessons ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS STUDYING TEXT, THEY ARE JUST AN HELP FOR TEACHING

Teaching methods

Front lessons and seminars.

NO LECTURE RECORDING IS PROVIDED.

Students will be required to produce two papers during the class period, which will contribute to the final grade. The "weight" of each paper, which is to be uploaded to Virtual, will be specified on Virtual itself

Although not mandatory, course attendance is strongly recommended as during classes information presented synthetically in the lesson slides are clarified in detail , as well as aspects present in the additional material provided by the teacher and in the chapters of the book indicated as mandatory to study are presented in detailed and explained. The frequency can then certainly facilitate the preparation of the final exam.

Assessment methods

Each paper required during the year will contribute to the composition of the final grade. The “weight” of each paper, which is to be uploaded to Virtual, will be specified on Virtual itself.

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 taken on eol.unibo.it platform. Examination tests will be given in the classroom with the lecturer. The maximum score that can be acquired from the test is 8 points. Each question contributes a maximum score of 2 points. The evaluation criteria for the answers given in this section are:

1. Ability to analyze the problem: 1 point
   
2. Adherence to the topic of the question: 0.75 points
   
3. Use of Italian: 0.25 points

A test with multiple choice questions, related to what is in the obligatory chapters to be studied, will also be administered. As already reiterated, the lecture slides are therefore NOT to be considered as a study text. The maximum score that can be acquired from the test is 10 points.

During the course, “badges” worth 0.25 points each will be awarded depending on the completion of the activities on Virtual, active participation in the course and the completion of the exam test that will be given on the last day of class, the results of which are to be uploaded on virtuale.unibo.it platform.

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

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

For the purpose of the exam, it is required to have taken the Physiology of Reproduction exam.

The final grade for the integrated course will be determined on the basis of the weighted average of the grades of the teachings that make up the course.

The verbalizing teacher for the integrated course is Prof. Zaccaroni.

Teaching tools

Slides of the lessons. Once again, this material is NOT to be considered as that to be used for exam preparation.

Additional material given by the teacher (for case studies and practicals).

During classes the Professor will using interactive tool like Polleverywhere and Kahoot.

There will be a large use of immages and video. Students with specific need, which might require different supports or material, are invited to contact directly the Professor in order to prepare specific material.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Zaccaroni