BIOMOLECULAR ECOTOXICOLOGY

The teaching is within the training activities characterizing the Degree in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies, in particular the problems related to the concept of green chemistry and eco-sustainable in respect of the environment.
The educational objective of the course is to provide knowledge related to:
1) the impact of contaminating substances in the ecosystem with particular reference to different chemical classes;
2) evaluation methods to establish when a contaminant becomes pollutant;
3) forecasting methods to establish the exposure and the effects of pollutants and the estimation of environmental risk.
This knowledge is then used to prepare students to develop essential scientific criteria for governmental authorities for the regulation underlying the preservation of the ecosystem.

1. Knowledge and understanding
● To know the basic terminology of ecotoxicology and understand the specialized texts in the reference sector.
● To know the interaction of the main classes of contaminants / pollutants with the environment including humans.
● To know the methods to predict the effects of a pollutant in the environment through the evaluation of its chemical-physical properties and the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
1. Knowledge and understanding
● (To know the basic terminology of ecotoxicology and understand the specialized texts in the field of reference.) How to properly use the terminology in all the processes of application and communication of the acquired knowledge .
● (To know the interaction of the main classes of contaminants / pollutants with the environment including humans.) How to operate a simple impact assessment analysis of a pollutant based on its chemical-physical characteristics and the study environment .
● (To know the methods to predict the effects of a pollutant in the environment through the evaluation of its chemical-physical properties and the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.) How to apply predictive methods to evaluate the impact of new synthetic chemicals based on data in the literature.

3. Judgment skills
● Knowing how to formulate and argue simple hypotheses, also developing a critical approach to the evaluation of alternative hypotheses.

4. Communication skills
● How to communicate with appropriate terminology in the field of ecotoxicology.
● How to deal with peers and with the tutor, critically and respectfully, in the classroom to deepen and develop a scientific culture in the field of reference.

5. Learning skills
● How to integrate the contents of the slides shared by the teacher with notes and reference texts.

Knowledge of basic organic and inorganic chemistry. The student must have done the reference courses.

Introduction: differences between Classical Toxicology, Environmental and Ecotoxicology; Overview of classical and functional Ecology.
Contaminant classes: notes on the effects of metals and metalloids; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated terphenyls, polybrominated biphenyls, chlorofluorocarbons, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, dibenzofurans, insecticides (organophosphates and carbamates), herbicides (atrazine and 2,4,5-T), organometallic compounds and emerging contaminants (nanomaterials).
Study of the effects of pollutants: fate of pollutants in organisms, molecular effects, acute and chronic toxicity; laboratory tests (aquatic and terrestrial toxicity); Biotic Indexes (freshwater), Bioindicators (animals and plants) and Biomarkers (general, exposure, effect and specific).
Embryo ecotoxicology: embryo detoxification methods; effect of toxic substances at the embryo level, during postnatal development, in adult life and during aging.
Prediction of the effects of pollutants: QSAR (Toxicity based on molecular properties, distribution coefficients and application examples) and Environmental Quality Criteria (European and American experiences and innovative approaches).
Exposure to pollutants: Biogeochemical Cycles, Bioconcentration, Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification, Food Toxicology and Degradation Processes (Resistance, Residence, Biodegradation, Metabolism, Abiotic Degradation).
Exposure forecasting: environmental monitoring and forecasting models; prediction of resistance to degradation (qualitative and quantitative models).
Risk estimation: risk index formulation and application examples
Laboratory experience: acute toxicity test in human cells (EC50) and development of fluorescent cells using genetic engineering techniques.

The following reference texts are available in the BAS library of the campus in via Torino.
Mandatory texts
"Marco Vighi and Eros Bacci, Ecotoxicology, UTET, 1998.
"Scott F. Gilbert and David Epel, Ecological Developmental Biology, Sinauer, 2016: (Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8).
Optional texts or supplementary readings
"Michael C. Newman and Michael A. Unger, Fundamental of Ecotoxicology, Lewis Publisher, 2015

The assessment of learning takes place through an oral test. Mastery in the presentation of course objectives will be assessed. In particular, the impact of contaminants in the ecosystem, the assessment methods for determining when a contaminant becomes pollutant and the forecasting methods for establishing exposure and the effects of pollutants and estimating environmental risk. The final grade will be given by the algebraic sum of the vote achieved in each of these three objectives.
During the oral examination the use of books, notes and electronic media is not allowed.

Teaching is organized in:
- lectures where the contents of the course will be exposed through a slide show.
- reciprocal questions between the teacher and the students for the verification of learning and the application of the covered topics.
- experimental laboratory for the application of some case studies (It is mandatory to attend the laboratory).

Italian

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments:
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding supportservices and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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