Identifying Data 2020/21
Subject (*) Ecotoxicology Code 610G02042
Study programme
Grao en Bioloxía
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 1st four-month period
Fourth Optional 6
Language
Spanish
Teaching method Hybrid
Prerequisites
Department Bioloxía
Coordinador
Barreiro Lozano, Rodolfo
E-mail
rodolfo.barreiro@udc.es
Lecturers
Barreiro Lozano, Rodolfo
E-mail
rodolfo.barreiro@udc.es
Web
General description Esta materia estuda os efectos dos contaminantes sobre os organismos. Devandito estudo inclúe tanto a análise e detección destes efectos como a predición dos posibles danos que os contaminantes poden chegar a provocar. Unha parte substancial da materia dedícase ás distintas técnicas de biomonitorización (a detección da contaminación usando os propios seres vivos), unha ferramenta que cada día ten máis importancia para a protección e xestión do medio ambiente.
Contingency plan 1. Modificacións nos contidos
-Ningunha

2. Metodoloxías
*Metodoloxías docentes que se manteñen
-Todas salvo as prácticas de laboratorio. A materia xa está previsto impartila en modo mixto (parte dos alumnos en aula e parte en Teams). O único cambio será que todos os alumnos estarán en Teams.

*Metodoloxías docentes que se modifican
-Prácticas de laboratorio. Substituiranse por prácticas equivalentes con TICs mediante Teams.

3. Mecanismos de atención personalizada ao alumnado
-Moodle. Atención a demanda dos estudantes cando expoñen cuestións no foro.
- Email. Atención a demanda dos estudantes cando expoñen algunha cuestión por email.
- Teams. Atención a demanda dos estudantes cando expoñen cuestións na canle da materia.

4. Modificacións na avaliación.
- Non hai. O único cambio será que a proba de resposta multiple será cunha ferramenta de avaliación on- line no canto de en a aula e a exposición de traballos bibliográficos dos alumnos será mediante Teams no canto de en a aula.

Observacións de avaliación:

5. Modificacións da bibliografía ou webgrafía.
- Non procede.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences / results
A9 Identificar e utilizar bioindicadores.
A17 Realizar bioensaios e diagnósticos biolóxicos.
A21 Deseñar modelos de procesos biolóxicos.
A23 Avaliar o impacto ambiental. Diagnosticar e solucionar problemas ambientais.
B1 Aprender a aprender.
B4 Traballar de forma autónoma con iniciativa.
B6 Organizar e planificar o traballo.
B7 Comunicarse de maneira efectiva nunha contorna de traballo.
B8 Sintetizar a información.
B9 Formarse unha opinión propia.
B10 Exercer a crítica científica.
B11 Debater en público.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences / results
Distinguir e identificar as técnicas de ecotoxicología retrospectiva e prospectiva B9
Describir os efectos habituais da contaminación en individuos, poboacións e comunidades A9
A17
A23
Valorar as vantaxes e limitacións de cada nivel de organización para detectar o impacto contaminante B9
B10
Comprender os resultados de técnicas básicas de ensaio de toxicidade, estudos de acumulación-depuración, biomarcadores A9
A17
A21
Describir os mecanismos polos que un organismo fai fronte aos contaminantes. A21
B1
B4
Valorar críticamente a relevancia da información derivada de ensaios de toxicidade A17
B9
B10
Valorar críticamente as predicións de modelos de distribución e efectos de contaminantes A23
B9
B10
Realizar unha procura bibliográfica dun tópico ecotoxicológico e resumir a información obtida B1
B4
B6
B7
B8
B9
B10
B11
Enfrontarse á literatura especializada podendo encadrala nun tópico concreto da ecotoxicología B1
B4
B8
B9
B10

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Introduction Human population growth.
Major environmental problems in Europe.
Ecotoxicology.
Pollutants Major types and features
Inorganic pollutants: metals and anions
Organic pollutants
Organometals
Gases
Toxicokinetics Mechanisms for pollutant accumulations.
Uptake.
Biotransformation and detoxification of metals and metaloids.
Biotransformation of organic pollutants.
Excretion.
Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF), Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), and Accumulation Factor.
Kinetics.
Bioamplification along the trophic chain Bioamplification.
Trophic transfer and Bioamplification factor.
Examples of bioamplification in metals and organic pollutants.
Bioaccumulation and pollutant detection (Retrospective Ecotoxicology I) Bioavailability.
Factors of pollutant bioavailability.
Use of bioaccumulators.
Requisites of a good bioacumulator.
Toxicodynamics: biochemical and histological effects Protective and non protective bgiochemical changes.
Molecular toxicity mechanisms.
Modes of toxic actions in organic pollutants.
Examples of molecular mechanisms.
Cytotoxicity and necrosis.
Damage to genes and chromosomes.
Physiological effects Subletal effects.
Effects on growth, development, reproduction, physiology and behaviour.
Trade-off between detoxification and production.
Biomarkers (Retrospective Ecotoxicology II). Classification, especificity and relationship with damaging effects.
Requisites of a good biomarker.
Examples of biomarkers.
Use of biomarkers.
Toxicity assays (Porspective Ecotoxicology I). Dose-response relationship.
Types of assays.
Data analyses.
Toxicity curves, mean lethal time and threshold LC50.
Data analyses in chronic assays: NOEC, LOEC y MATC.
Application Factor.
Prediction (Prospective Ecotoxicology II) Prediction at individual level: QSAR.
Prediction at ecosystem level: SSR.
Changes in community composition (Retrospective Ecotoxicology III). Indicator species.
Relative abundance.
Saprobic systema and biotic indexes.
Diversity.
Comparisson with reference communities.

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies / Results Teaching hours (in-person & virtual) Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Guest lecture / keynote speech A9 A23 B8 B9 24 84 108
Seminar B1 B4 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 7 17.5 24.5
Laboratory practice A17 5 0 5
ICT practicals A21 A23 10 0 10
Multiple-choice questions A9 A17 A21 A23 1 0 1
 
Personalized attention 1.5 0 1.5
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies Description
Guest lecture / keynote speech Lectures supported by graphic information available to students through Moodle.
Seminar Problem solving and bibliographic review.
Laboratory practice Lab work under the guidance of the teacher and with a protocol that comprehensively details the exercises to be performed (also available in Moodle)
ICT practicals IT work under the guidance of the teacher and with a protocol that comprehensively details the exercises to be performed (also available in Moodle)
Multiple-choice questions Test of theory and practice contents.

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Seminar
Description
The personalized attention will consist of:
1) Solving doubts in the corresponding tutorial schedules.
2) Support to the student during the seminar sessions for preparing the bibliographic review.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies / Results Description Qualification
Guest lecture / keynote speech A9 A23 B8 B9 In some lectures, questions will be asked (orally and/or in writing) to the students on aspects dealt with in the session, which they will have to answer on the spot in order to assess the individual performance of the session. 5
Laboratory practice A17 Attendance is mandatory. Each day of unexcused absence will mean 0.5 points less in the final grade. 0
Multiple-choice questions A9 A17 A21 A23 Knowledge acquired in theory and practice sessions is assessed with a multi-option test. 65
Seminar B1 B4 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 First chance: Presenting a bibliographic review paper at the last seminar session.

Second chance: Students who have not presented a paper at the first opportunity may submit their paper in WRITING on the date of the second opportunity test (detailed guidelines for submitting a paper are available in Moodle). SECOND CHANCE PAPERS MAY GET A MAXIMUM GRADE OF 5 (passed).
30
ICT practicals A21 A23 Attendance is mandatory. Each day of unexcused absence will mean 0.5 points less in the final grade. 0
 
Assessment comments

In order to pass the course it is REQUIRED to pass the theory exam with a grade of at least 4. Otherwise, the course will be suspended regardless of the remaining grades and the lowest numerical grade will be placed (i) the average grade with the above percentages or (ii) the grade of the theory exam). 

Failure to attend the theory exam will result in no final grade ("No presentado"). 


Sources of information
Basic Newman, M. C.; Clements, W.H. (2008). Ecotoxicology: A Comprehensive Treatment. CRC Press
Newman, M. C. (2010). Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology, 3 edition. CRC Press
Walker, C. H., S. P. Hopkin, R. M. Sibly, and D. B. Peakall. (2006). Principles of Ecotoxicology, 3rd edition. Taylor & Francis, London

Complementary

La bibliografía básica es suficiente para una asignatura de licenciatura. Además, el alumno debe buscar trabajos científicos para realizar el trabajo tutelado; los trabajos concretos varían para cada alumno.


Recommendations
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously

Subjects that continue the syllabus

Other comments

Students are encouraged to use the tutorials to resolve questions with the teacher.



(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.