BB526: Basic Ecotoxicology

Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have knowledge of basic chemistry and biology at the level achieved in the first year courses.
• Be able to use spreadsheets in the calculation of experimental results.

The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand and apply basic toxicological and eco-toxicological concepts and the most important working methods within this topic. The course also aims to give students insights in the enviromental consequences og human activities. The aboce mentioned are important in regard to future employment in the medical industry and environmental administration or teaching in high school.

• Give the competence to understand and use toxicological and eco-toxicological data on chemicals.
• Give skills in practical laboratory work – incl. use of basic laboratory equipment and calculation of concentrations and dilutions, statistical treatment of the results obtained and reporting of the experimental results.
• Give knowledge and understanding of the harmful effects of specific chemicals and groups of chemicals on humans and plants and animals in the environment and laboratory studies. Among these effects on single organs and systems such as the nervous system and the endocrine system.

The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• Explain discharge, transport and degradation of chemicals to or in the environment.
• Explain the mechanisms underlying the uptake, metabolism, elimination and effects in humans and animals.
• Describe the dispersal and effects of pollutants in the environment and in humans.
• Explain the general principles for environmental risk assessment of chemicals.
• Planning and perform and eco-toxicological experiment in theory and practice in smaller groups.
• Handle and analyse eco-toxicological data and present and interpret data both in writing and graphically (figures/graphs).
• Train an analytical and critical approach to handling and interpretation of eco-toxicological data, figures and graphs.

The following main topics are contained in the course:

• Historical and present toxicological and eco-toxicological concepts and working methods 
• Determination of LC-50.
• Metabolism of exobiotics in humans and animals
• Uptake and elimination kinetics.
• Toxicology and eco-toxicology of endocrine disrupting chemicals, metals, emerging chemicals, chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT, PCB, dioxins), hydrocarbons, acid rain, radioactive elements and pesticides.
• General principles for risk assessment of chemicals.
• Experimental projects with a common overarching theme.
• Basic statistical analysis.
• Handling a primary literature.

Bogen ‘Økotoksikologi' af Poul Bjerregaard
enkelte artikler (udleveres)

See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.