Course detail

Hydrobiology and ekotoxikology

FAST-CC01Acad. year: 2013/2014

Basic hydrobiological principles, biology of stagnant and running water, self-purification processes in surface water, eutrophication, saprobic system of evaluation of surface water quality, biology of underground water, balneobiology, biological indicators of pollution.

Basic ecotoxicological principles, kinds of toxic effects, factors affecting toxicity, environmental monitoring, toxicity tests, legislation.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Institute of Chemistry (CHE)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The students will obtain the knowledge of system and biology of water organisms, their ecology interactions in water environment and enteractions with surrounding terestric ecosystems.
In theoretical part of courses the students get acquaint with the most modern knowledge about the stucture, property and function of water ecosystems (water reservoirs, stress). Behind the studium of abiotic factors of water biotops, students will get acquaint with biology of water animals, lower and higher plants, bacteria and also with the basic hydrobiologic methods. The practice part of studium is devote to laboratory practice, in which the students realize the toxicity tests, which are used in practice. The part of practice lesson are excursion to external workplace.
The course is for students of Water management and water structure. After graduation they can be more easily employed in watermanagement practice – water treatment plant, administrativ of river basin, research institutes, high schools, state administration.

Prerequisites

- general knowledge about biology
- be able to do laboratory activity
- be able to evaluate laboratory results: write the report about laboratory activity, mathematical data processing of measurement

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.
Basic teaching methods in this subject are lectures and laboratory sessions. In the laboratory sessions, part of the session is aimed at calculations, part at practical schooling - practical application of toxicity tests, their evaluation and interpretation.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

To be successful in study it is neccessery to attend the laboratory practice and make the laboratory reports. According to the BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations student is compulsory to pass the credit test.

Course curriculum

1. Basic hydrobiological and ecological principles.
2. Hydrobiology of stagnant and running water, self-purification.
3. Trophic system for evaluation of water quality.
4. Eutrophication, factors affecting eutrophication.
5. Saprobic system of evaluation of surface water quality.
6. Biology of underground water, balneobiology, water sources.
7. Biological indicators of pollution.
8. Basic ecotoxicological principles, kinds of toxicity, factors affecting toxicity.
9. Toxicological properties of selected chemical elements, inorganic and organic compounds. Biotransformation of xenobiotics.
10. Priority pollutants in aqueous environment.
11. Standard toxicity tests, microbiotests.
12. Ways of evaluation of toxicity tests, interpretation of results.
13. Risk analysis, legislation. Acquainting with chosen toxicity tests with aid of audiovisual instrumentation.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Basic knowledge of hydrobiology and aquatic ecotoxicology.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

The students can attend the seminars organized by Departments of Water management and water structures.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Picka, K., Matoušek, J.: Základy obecné a speciální toxikologie. MŽPČR, VŠB-TU, UK: Praha, 1968. (CS)
Cockerham, L.G., Shane, B. S.: Basic Environmental Toxicology. CRC Press, 1993. (EN)
Sládečková, A, Sládeček, V.: Hydrobiologie. Nakladatelství ČVUT: Praha, 1995.
Paleček, J. a kol.: Toxikologie a bezpečnost práce v chemii. Vydavatelství VŠCHT: Praha, 1996. (CS)
Hoffman, D. J., Rattner, B. A., Burton, G.A.Jr.; Cairns, J.Jr.: Handbook of ecotoxicology. CRC Press, 2002. (EN)

Recommended reading

Jana Ambrožová: Aplikovaná a technická hydrobiologie. VŠCHT, 2007. (CS)
Kočí V., Mocová K.: Ekotoxikologie pro chemiky. VŠCHT, 2009. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-K-C-SI Master's

    branch V , 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme N-P-C-SI Master's

    branch V , 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme N-P-E-SI Master's

    branch V , 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Basic hydrobiological and ecological principles.
2. Hydrobiology of stagnant and running water, self-purification.
3. Trophic system for evaluation of water quality.
4. Eutrophication, factors affecting eutrophication.
5. Saprobic system of evaluation of surface water quality.
6. Biology of underground water, balneobiology, water sources.
7. Biological indicators of pollution.
8. Basic ecotoxicological principles, kinds of toxicity, factors affecting toxicity.
9. Toxicological properties of selected chemical elements, inorganic and organic compounds. Biotransformation of xenobiotics.
10. Priority pollutants in aqueous environment.
11. Standard toxicity tests, microbiotests.
12. Ways of evaluation of toxicity tests, interpretation of results.
13. Risk analysis, legislation. Acquainting with chosen toxicity tests with aid of audiovisual instrumentation.

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Training of laboratory regulations, using of mathematical aparat in laboratory practice.
2. Manipulation of microscope - the way of preparing of preparations and their observation. Writting of observing to laboratory paper.
3. The toxicity test Sinapis alba.
4. Toxicity test Lemna minor.
5. The methodology of taking of water and sediment samples - off practice.
6. Excursion to external ecotoxicologic laboratory.