Course: Ecotoxicology and Biochemical Cycles

« Back
Course title Ecotoxicology and Biochemical Cycles
Course code KCH/EBC
Organizational form of instruction no contact
Level of course Doctoral
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 0
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Kubec Roman, prof. Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
Biochemical cycles of macro- and microbiogenic elements. Inorganic and organic compounds in the environment and their toxicity. Chemistry of the outer layers of litosphere. Properties and chemistry of soil , sorption properties, dynamics of chemical and geochemical processes. Sources of polutants, their transfer and degradation. Chemistry of surface, underground and waste water. Dynamics of chemical reactions, geochemical cycles water-air, soil-water. Properties of sediments. Chemical pollution of water, sources of polutants, their properties and degradation. Chemical properties of the atmoshere, photochemical reactions, transformation of compounds in the atmosphere. Sources of pollution. Chemistry of the living environment, chemical characterisation of flora and fauna intoxication, transfer of pollutants and their degradation. Food chains and their contamination. Properties of industrial and agricultural contaminants. Basics of ecotoxicology. Toxicological assays. Basics of instrumental methods. Determination of major and minor components. Methods for data evaluation and interpretation. Legislation.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Individual preparation for exam, Work with multi-media resources (texts, internet, IT technologies), Individual tutoring
  • Semestral paper - 80 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 140 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course is aimed to provide a detail overview about global biogeochemical cycles of macrobiogenic elements and selected trace elements, along with the behaviour of important contaminants of the environment. Important pollutants of hydrospere, atmosphere and pedosphere are also covered, together with their sources and impact on the environment and human beings, their cumulation in foods and agricultural products, and ways and possibilities of their removal.
After successful passing the course, students are expected to gain advanced and complex knowledge about biogeochemical cycles of macrobiogenic and selected trace elements, as well as about properties and behaviour of important contaminants of the environment. The acquired knowledge may be employed in other chemistry disciplines and related fields (both in teaching or research/commercial laboratories).
Prerequisites
Knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry, toxicology and analytical chemistry gained during bachelor and master studies.

Assessment methods and criteria
Combined exam

Knowledge of toxicology, inorganic, organic, and analytical chemistry gained during bachelor/master studies.
Recommended literature
  • Doušová B., Bůzek F. Chemie životního prostředí. VŠCHT Praha, 2016. ISBN 978-80-7080-979-2.
  • Hites R. A. Elements of Environmental Chemistry. J. Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007. ISBN 9781118309926.
  • Manahan S. E. Environmental Chemistry. CRC Press, 2017. ISBN 9781498776936.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Agriculture and Technology Study plan (Version): Agricultural chemistry (1) Category: Agriculture and forestry - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Agriculture and Technology Study plan (Version): Agricultural chemistry (1) Category: Agriculture and forestry - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -