Objectives and competences
The objective of this course is for students to be able to distinguish between main groups of chemical contaminants, highlight their properties and connect them with bioavailability and bioaccumulation. Besides contaminants, they summarize sources and properties of biotoxins.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• toxicology, ecotoxicology (historic and current practical and scientific meaning)
• inorganic contaminants (metals, non-metals)
• organic contaminants (PAH, PCB, PCDD, PCDF, OCP, OF)
• bioavailability,, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, detoxification
• factors influencing the absorption of toxic substances into organisms
• bioaccumulation of inorganic and organic contaminants from food
• legislation, maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, acceptable daily intakes
• biotoxins (alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, animal toxins)
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures
• lab work
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
• distinguish between toxicology and ecotoxicology,
• differentiate the main sources of chemical pollutants, highlight their properties and conect them with bioavailability and bioaccumulation,
• summarize the terms biotransformation, bioaccumulation, detoxification,
• highlight factors influencing the absorption of toxic substances,
• summarize the sources and properties of biotoxins,
• and review contaminants for which maximum levels in food are set by commissions.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes:
• use of labware and equipment
• laboratory skills during experimenting in the lab
• communication skills: manner of expression at written examination and lab course
Readings
- Kristl, J. (2022). Toksične snovi v ekosistemih: Urejeni zapiski predavanj. Maribor: Univerzitetna založba.
- Kristl, J. (2022). Kemijske analitične metode v kmetijstvu in toksične snovi v ekosistemih: Navodila za laboratorijske vaje. Maribor: Univerzitetna založba.
- Walker, C. H., Sibly, R. M., Hopkin, S. P., Peakall, D. B. (2012). Principles of Ecotoxicology, Fourth Edition, Boca Raton London, New York, CRC Press.
- Newman, M. C. (2014). Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology: The Science of Pollution, Fourth Edition, Boca Raton London, New York, CRC Press.
- Yu, M. H., Tsunoda, H. , Tsunoda, M. (2011). Environmental Toxicology: Biological and Health Effects of Pollutants, Third Edition, Boca Raton London, New York, CRC Press.
- Stenersen, J. (2014). Chemical Pesticides: Mode of Action and Toxicology, Boca Raton London, New York, CRC Press .
Additional information on implementation and assessment active attendance at lab work, writing lab reports 20 %
written exam 80 %
