ECOTOXICOLOGY

On successful completion of the course, participants should: - have insight in the main factors of importance for the fate and distribution of chemicals in the environment; - have insight in the methods used in ecotoxicology to assess the bioaccumulation potential of chemicals in organisms and food chains; - develop the understanding of the ecotoxicological studies through critical analysis of case studies.

Introduction to Ecotoxicology. Definitions of toxicology, toxicants and toxicity. Factors influencing toxicity and effects: effects on individuals and entire population. Effects of ecotoxicity on a community. Concentration-response relationships. Field-specific terms. Importance of ecological concepts - trophic level, energy flow, levels of biological organisation. Ecotoxicity testing. Acute, early life-stage and chronic toxicity tests.. Factors modifying toxicity. Toxicity of chemical mixtures. Chemical distribution. Bioaccumulation, biomagnification, bioconcentration; Partitioning of chemicals in environment. Biochemical mechanisms of toxicity; Biotransformation: phase I and phase II, specific enzymes, examples. Biological monitoring. Enzymes as biomarkers of pollution (MFOs, blood enzymes, liver function assessment), bioindicators. Ecological risk Assessmen

1) Vighi M. & Bacci E. - 1998. - Ecotossicologia. Collana di Farmacologia e Terapia, Vol. Ecotossicologia (Vighi M. e Bacci E. eds.) UTET, Torino.
2) Baudo R. & Perin G. - 2012. - Ecotossicologia quantitativa applicata. Aracne Editrice
3) Walker C.H., Sibly R.M., Hopkin S.P. & Peakall D.B. - 2012 - Principles of Ecotoxicology. CRC Press