Ecotoxicology

A.Y. 2018/2019
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/07
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
Il corso intende fornire una conoscenza di numerose problematiche ecotossicologiche legate, in particolare, alla pericolosità dei composti organici persistenti. Nel dettaglio, saranno affrontate le tematiche relative all'ingresso, accumulo e metabolismo delle diverse classi di contaminanti ambientali, alla valutazione del rischio ecotossicologico e al concetto di tossicità.
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Course syllabus
Heavy metals: definition, mechanisms of action, examples. Man-made chemicals: definition, environmental risk, definition of the main POP classes. Persistence and degradation: photo-degradation and bio-degradation, biodegradation assays
Biphasic partitioning coefficients: definition and role played by Kow, Koc and Kaw. Absorption cellular processes: active and passive mechanisms. Distribution mechanisms. Metabolism and excretion. Phase I and Phase II detoxification systems. Bioconcentration: kinetic trend, bioconcentration factor (BCF), examples. Biomagnification: definition, examples. Endocrine disruptors: endocrine modulators and endocrine disruptors, mechanisms of action, windows of sensitivity, transgenerational effects. Intensive agriculture and pesticide use: the green revolution, advantages and disadvantages of pesticides. The toxicity concept: acute and chronic toxicity. Ecotoxicological tests and the environmental legislations. Bioindicators: definition, application and examples. Ecotoxicological and toxicological risk evaluation (NOEL, ADI, PEC).


The books recommended are the following:
Ecotossicologia - Marco Vighi e Eros Bacci - UTET
Tossicologia - Galli, Corsini, Marinovich - PICCIN


Exams' procedure
The exams' form is oral.

Language
Italian

Additional information
Slides of the entire course are available on the ARIEL website.
The attendance of the course is strictly recommended.
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor(s)