Foundations of Ecotoxicology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The teaching aims to provide students with the principles of ecotoxicology, giving basic information on the main environmental contaminants, the processes that regulate their distribution in ecosystems and their toxicity towards living organisms.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the teaching the student will be able to discriminate among the different types of contaminants, their fate in the environment and potential risk to ecosystems. The student will acquire the skills useful to plan intervention strategies to monitor contamination and / or to assess the toxicity of contaminants.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
For organizational purposes, the teaching will be divided into three main parts, each focusing on specific topics.
Part I: Major Classes of Environmental Contaminants
This section will introduce and describe the main categories of environmental contaminants, their physicochemical properties, and their potential hazards to living organisms. Attention will be given to both conventional contaminants (e.g., heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants) and emerging contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals and personal care products, illicit drugs, nanomaterials, and plastic polymers).
Part II: Environmental Distribution and Fate of Contaminants
This section will examine the main pathways through which contaminants enter the environment and the processes that govern their distribution, persistence, and fate. Approaches and procedures for the planning and implementation of environmental monitoring programs will also be presented.
Part III: Toxicity of Environmental Contaminants
Following an introduction to the concept of toxicity, this section will cover the main experimental approaches used to assess the toxicity of environmental contaminants at different levels of biological organization, ranging from sub-individual responses to ecosystem-level effects.
Part I: Major Classes of Environmental Contaminants
This section will introduce and describe the main categories of environmental contaminants, their physicochemical properties, and their potential hazards to living organisms. Attention will be given to both conventional contaminants (e.g., heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants) and emerging contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals and personal care products, illicit drugs, nanomaterials, and plastic polymers).
Part II: Environmental Distribution and Fate of Contaminants
This section will examine the main pathways through which contaminants enter the environment and the processes that govern their distribution, persistence, and fate. Approaches and procedures for the planning and implementation of environmental monitoring programs will also be presented.
Part III: Toxicity of Environmental Contaminants
Following an introduction to the concept of toxicity, this section will cover the main experimental approaches used to assess the toxicity of environmental contaminants at different levels of biological organization, ranging from sub-individual responses to ecosystem-level effects.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge in ecology is required.
Teaching methods
Teaching delivery methods will be based on interactive lectures supported by Slides. The slides will be provided on the MyARIEL website of the teaching. Two text book concerning ecotoxicology will be suggested to support the individual study of the topics discussed during lectures. The students will be involved in the discussion of the topics of the teaching to improve their critical skills, reworking the concepts acquired and communicating the concepts appropriately.
Teaching Resources
Suggested textbooks:
1) Vighi, M. & Bacci, E. (1998). Ecotossicologia. UTET.
2) Walker, C. H., Sibly, R. M., Hopkin, S. P., & Peakall, D. B. (2012). Principles of ecotoxicology. CRC press.
1) Vighi, M. & Bacci, E. (1998). Ecotossicologia. UTET.
2) Walker, C. H., Sibly, R. M., Hopkin, S. P., & Peakall, D. B. (2012). Principles of ecotoxicology. CRC press.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Student learning will be assessed through an oral examination lasting approximately 20-25 minutes. During the exam, some questions on the topics covered throughout the teaching will be addressed. Assessment will take into account not only students' knowledge of the topics but also their ability to communicate clearly and use appropriate academic language. Grades will be awarded on a 30-point scale.
Professor(s)
Reception:
to be agreed by prior appointment via e-mail