OVERVIEW

Marine ecotoxicology is the science that studies the toxic effects of chemicals, natural or synthetic, on living organisms and marine ecosystems. It aims to understand how these effects affect the health of organisms, populations, communities and the entire ecosystem.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide insights into the use of marine species in bioassays for evaluating the ecotoxicity of chemical substances (either individually or in mixtures) or environmental matrices (such as water and sediments). The effects of environmental matrices on living organisms will be described, including the ecological value of biological tests (bioassays) and ecotoxicological tests on marine species. The use of ecotoxicological test data in Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) will also be discussed. The different ecotoxicological tests will be developed. The problem of accrediting European laws and regulations will be addressed, including REACH (EC Regulation No. 1907/2006), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), and the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Marine ecotoxicology studies the effects of pollutants on individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems of the marine-coastal system.

The teaching aims to provide the basis for understanding and studying the effects at various levels of bio-ecological complexity through the application of the main ecotoxicological approaches and methods for the protection and assessment of the health of marine-coastal ecosystems in relation to the impact of priority and emerging pollutants.

The course will provide insights on the use of marine species (model organisms) in bioassays for the assessment of the ecotoxicity of chemicals (individually or in a mixture), environmental matrices (water, sediments) and new materials (nanoparticles, micro and nano plastics).

The application role of ecotoxicology will be highlighted as an investigation tool in various assessment and management areas.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures and / or in online mode with the Teams platform. The lessons are delivered through multimedia presentations.

Attendance at classes is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the following teaching modules

M1: Introduction to the course of Marine Ecotoxicology

- Presentation of the teacher and his scientific experience

- Introduction to the Anthropocene and its effects on the marine ecosystem

- Presentation of the course contents

M2: The ecotoxicological approach in the anthropocene era

- Fundamentals of marine ecotoxicology I

- Fundamentals of marine ecotoxicology II

M3: The exposure scenarios

- The study of exposure (biogeochemical cycles)

- Key concepts on the structure and function of the marine ecosystem

M4: The environmental and biological fate of pollutants

- Environmental distribution mechanisms

- Bioconcentration, Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

- Main classes of classic and emerging pollutants

M5: Effects of pollutants on organisms

- Mechanisms of action (biotransformation, detoxification, elimination, storage and accumulation)

- Damage measurement (dose-response relationships)

- Biochemical, physiological, behavioral, interactive effects

- Toxicity tests in ecotoxicology

- Bioassays with bacteria, microalgae and marine invertebrates

- The use of batteries of marine organisms

- The multi-end-point approach

M6: Biomarkers

- Introduction to "biological markers" in a marine context

- Specificity of biomarkers

- The main categories of biomarkers

- The use of BMs as a biomonitoring tool

- Genetic ecotoxicology

M7: Preparation of a laboratory bioassay

- Practical laboratory test (preparation, reading and analysis of the results of an ecotoxicological bioassay)

M8: Reading and interpreting "ecotoxicological" scientific works

- Shared critical reading of reference scientific works

M9: Visit to the CNR-IAS Marine Ecotoxicology Laboratory

- Observation of some ongoing experiments of an innovative nature (behavioral bioassays and swimming analysis) with different biological models

M10: Marine ecotoxicology as an investigation tool in various application sectors

- Industrial sector (antifouling technologies and water treatments)

- Management sector (dredging and marine sediments)

- Emerging contaminants (nanoparticles)

- Emerging contaminants (microplastics)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- All slides used during the lessons and other teaching materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each lesson cycle.

- Handouts and scientific articles will be provided by the teacher.

- Articles from scientific journals and book chapters or technical reports relating to the individual case studies covered.

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable visit: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test aimed at assessing the knowledge of the fundamental elements of the subject and the ability to make connections between the various topics covered in class.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the level of depth required for each topic will be provided during the lessons. The exam will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess not only whether the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, but also whether he or she has acquired the ability to recall theoretical notions by applying them to concrete examples.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.