Study Programmes 2016-2017
OCEA0062-1  
Ecotoxicology and Biodegradation of Marine Pollutants
  • Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
  • Marine ecotoxicology
Duration :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment : 20h Th
Marine ecotoxicology : 15h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) (MER)6
Lecturer :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment : Mathieu Poulicek
Marine ecotoxicology : Krishna Das
Coordinator :
Krishna Das
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
Learning unit contents :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
The first part of the course is devoted to description of "natural" organic molecules biodegradation in the marine realm (external and internal processes for control and optimisation of the activity within the "microbial loop")(8 hours).
The second part consists in description of some mathematical models of microbial activity in natural conditions (2 hours).
The third part is devoted to exploring the ways of artificially introduced molecules biodegradation (domestic wastes, detergents, aromatic cycles and halogenated molecules, hydrocarbons and plastics)(8 hours).
The last part of the course is devoted to "biodeterioration" processes (when biodegradation goes too far) (2 hours).
Marine ecotoxicology
This course is an introduction to Marine Ecotoxicology and includes concepts such as definition of ecotoxicology, pollution, environmental toxicology, impact to individuals, populations and communities. Students will also learn about metabolisation and impact of selected pollutants including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), plastics and trace elements. 
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
To get in touch with the complexity of interactions within the microbial world and focus on positive aspects of bacterial activity.
Marine ecotoxicology
- Evaluation of anthropogenic threats towards the marine environment
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
Elementary knowledge (general microbiology course) of the bacterial world.
Marine ecotoxicology
Students should have basic knowledge on biology, biochemistry and biogeochemical cycles. 
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Marine ecotoxicology
This course will include:
1. An introduction to Ecotoxicology (Ex cathedra) and its applications to the marine environment.
2. Students will receive scientific papers to be read at home to prepare the next class. These papers will be then analysed during the course by the students during group sessions. The working time at home is included in the credits of the present course.  3. Seminars: invited lecturer (ULg and abroad) will come and present their research in marine ecotoxicology).  4. No practical training
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
Five times 4 hours to place according to scheduled courses
Marine ecotoxicology
Mode of delivery: face to face! 
Recommended or required readings :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
Course notes and copy of all illustrations distributed at first course.
Course edited, printed and distributed by Oceanographic Institute Press (Paris)
Marine ecotoxicology
PDFs file of power-point presentation and other documents on eCampus.
 
Students will be requested to read some documents at home to prepare the next class and group working sessions. 
Assessment methods and criteria :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
Oral exam with notes
Marine ecotoxicology
Oral evaluations will be realised under the form of a public seminar (power-point presentation or scientific poster).
Work placement(s) :
Marine ecotoxicology
No practical training
Organizational remarks :
Marine ecotoxicology
More details through eCampus and emails
Contacts :
Biodegradation of organic molecules in a sea environment
Mathieu Poulicek - Tél 04 366 50 67 - Email: mpoulicek@ulg.ac.be
Marine ecotoxicology
Krishna Das (04/ 3663321, krishna.das@ulg.ac.be)
Items online :
General Introduction
PPT General ntroduction
Microplastics in the Marine environment
PPT on my class on microplastics