AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide the key knowledge for the application of protocols aimed at environmental remediation and restoration in different natural and human-altered contexts, in compliance with current regulations.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to teach key approaches for environmental remediation and restoration using fungal and plants organism in mycoremediation and phytoremediation protocols, depending on the intended use of the area to be remediated or restored. Specific attention will be given to field activities and laboratory practices for the use of fungi and plants in bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity tests. Multidisciplinary skills will be highlighted, enabling students to understand how to coordinate their work with other professionals involved in environmental degradation issues (physicists, chemists, naturalists, engineers).

Upon successful completion of the module, the student will be able to demonstrate:

• A general understanding of the interactions of fungi and plants within environmental compartments (air, water, soil) and with other organisms; responses of fungi and plants to stimuli and adversities; balances and imbalances; mechanisms of tolerance and resistance;
• The ability to evaluate different contexts and environmental disturbances to undertake appropriate measures to initiate re-naturalization and/or remediation processes. 

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes 4 CFU of lectures and 1 CFU of field and laboratory exercises. The lectures are conducted with the aid of PowerPoint presentations that illustrate the concepts and content presented orally by the instructors. These materials are made available on Aulaweb.

The course includes field exercises and on-site laboratory activities aimed at putting into practice the theoretical knowledge provided and discussed during the lectures.

Students with a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities filed with the University who wish to request compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, or other accommodations for lectures, assignments, and exams should speak with both the instructor and Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department's disability coordinator.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Factors disturbing ecosystems in relation to environmental stress and pressures. Invasive alien species (IAS). Alterations of plant and fungal communities. Fungal and plant recolonization dynamics. Ecological functions and ecosystem services. Regulatory framework for the topics addressed.

Environmental remediation techniques of myco- and phytoremediation.

Phytoremediation: use of tolerant and hyper-tolerant plants in remediation, regulations, approaches, advantages and disadvantages, illustration of case studies (air, water). Field survey, screening, key parameters, advantages and disadvantages, microcosm and mesocosm tests, rhizospheric approach, regulations, integrated remediation systems, illustration of case studies (soil).

Mycoremediation: soils and waters contaminated by metals and hydrocarbons; role of fungi in biogeochemical cycles; monitoring of extreme environments (caves and mines); techniques for selecting tolerant/accumulator fungal strains to be used in mycoremediation protocols; use of native or alien strains. Applications: in vitro, mesocosm, bioreactors.

Ecological restoration/improvement of natural systems: site characterization for proper intervention planning; selection of plant species for restoration; climate, ecology, and edaphic factors. Techniques of bioengineering. Restoration of dune, river, meadow, and wetland habitats. Linear infrastructures and compensation works.

Planning, implementation, and monitoring of ecological restoration actions.

Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) as an element of rehabilitation and renaturalization. Application areas and reference regulations.

Analysis of case studies in remediation and environmental restoration, field activities to understand the investigation methodologies provided in the course, laboratory activities with cultural and analytical methodologies, and use of indices useful for assessing environmental quality through the use of fungal and plant organisms.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the material presented during the lectures and the recommended and supplementary materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lectures/laboratory exercises.

For further reading:

• Blasi C., Paolella A., 1993 – Progettazione Ambientale. NIS La Nuova Italia Scientifica, Rome.
• Carbonari A., Mezzanotte M., 2000 - Tecniche naturalistiche nella sistemazione del territorio. Autonomous Province of Trento.
• Gibelli M.G., Meucci D., Oggionni F., Palmeri F., Vallone F., 1995 - Quaderni di ingegneria naturalistica. Sistemazioni in ambito fluviale. Ed. Il Verde Editoriale.
• Gisotti G., 2008 – Le Cave. Recupero e pianificazione ambientale. Collana SIGEA Dario Flaccovio Editore, Palermo.
• Regione Lazio, 2002 - Manuale di Ingegneria naturalistica.
• Regione Liguria - Opere e tecniche di ingegneria naturalistica e recupero ambientale.
• Zeh H., 1996 - Tecniche di ingegneria naturalistica. Ed. Il Verde Editoriale.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Please refer to the detailed schedule at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The acquisition of the course concepts and the ability to present them correctly are assessed through an oral exam, which typically includes three to four questions covering the entire program and the exercises performed. In addition to knowledge of the topics covered, the ability to correlate between them is also evaluated.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam preparation methods are explained in the first introductory lecture, which, like all others, is available on Aul@web.

In addition to the oral exam, on which the final grade is based, written tests may be conducted throughout the year to periodically assess the student's learning.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance is strongly recommended and advised, especially for field and laboratory activities.