REAU0003-1 : Anthropic impacts on aquatic ecosystems

Study Programmes 2015-2016

REAU0003-1

Anthropic impacts on aquatic ecosystems

Duration :

30h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits :

Specialised master in water resources		4

Lecturer :

Célia Joaquim-Justo

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

This course considers the various disrupting factors that affect aquatic ecosystems with a particular emphasis on pollutions due to human activities. Principles of risk assessment of xenobiotics towards the aquatic ecosystems will be provided to students so that they become aware of the strategy currently applied in the EU (and OCDE countries) to prevent damages to these ecosystems due to emissions of toxic pollutants.

Learning outcomes of the course :

The goal of this course is that students become fully aware of the causes and consequences of the different types of pollutions that can affect aquatic ecosystems.

The main topics presented will be:

- the different types of toxic pollutants;

- the identification of pollution sources;

- the fate of pollutants in the aquatic environment;

- impacts of pollutants on organisms;

- assessment of hazard related to pollutants for aquatic biocenosis

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Ecotoxicological tests will be carried out in the laboratory. These tests are largely used to assess the hazard potential of chemicals emitted into aquatic ecosystems.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Courses will be taught on Monday afternoons during the first quarter starting on October the 13th.
Practical information concerning the practical sessions will be provided at the beginning of the first quarter.