| LABORATORIO DI MONITORAGGIO AMBIENTALE I |
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Code
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18216 |
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Language
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ITA |
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Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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| Module: MODULE A
(objectives)
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES The aim of the course is to provide students with the information necessary to understand the practical bases of the investigations of classical and modern ecology and the theoretical and experimental approaches that have allowed their development today. The bases will be provided for carrying out environmental monitoring activities in the field and on how to set up experimental plants in the laboratory. Expanding knowledge on aquatic organisms from a trophic-functional point of view. Students will have to learn the logic of ecosystem analysis of aquatic environments and the methodologies suitable for evaluating structures and functions of ecosystems in aquatic environments. Notions will be provided to understand the most recent developments in the ecosystem of aquatic environments (food web theory, niche theory, network analysis), and an understanding of the importance of managing these environments will be stimulated. The course aims to provide the basis for further in-depth studies in the fields of inland water ecology and community ecology.
EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS Knowledge and understanding. Having developed knowledge of the principles and ecological laws that underlie the ecosystem functioning of aquatic environments. Having acquired the notions useful for undertaking ecosystem analyzes of the various environmental types of aquatic systems. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Knowing how to use the notions learned in class and developed in the exercises to interpret structures and functions of the different aquatic organisms and to solve problems in the various fields of field and laboratory applications. Judgment autonomy. Being able to identify the theoretical and experimental paths to be applied to the resolution of new problems even if similar to those discussed in class. Communication skills. Students' ability to talk, reason and discuss the questions raised during the lessons on the topics will be stimulated. Learning ability. Being able to discuss scientific issues concerning environmental monitoring activities and in general the academic ecology of aquatic environments also in its management applications and in its theoretical and experimental implications. This skill will be developed and tested by involving students in classroom discussions.
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Language
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ITA |
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Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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6
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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BIO/07
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Contact Hours
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32
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Exercise Hours
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16
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Type of Activity
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Related or supplementary learning activities
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Teacher
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CERFOLLI Fulvio
(syllabus)
Environment Monitoring Laboratory program. Module A. Introduction to the history of ecological sciences. Data collection and interpretation. Purpose of sampling activities. Experimental approach to data collection. Monitoring to study ecosystem dynamics. Check list and ecosystem functionality. Determination of interspecific links (statistical, immunodiffusive, radioecological techniques, analysis of stomach contents). Reference texts. Electronic reference programs. Big Data (photo interpretation of satellite data). The use of thematic maps (IGM, vegetation map, habitat map).
Use of random number tables. Preparation of sampling techniques in the field. Identification of the areas to be sampled. Subjectivity and objectivity of the sampling areas. Use of the thematic grid. The oscillations of the chemical-physical parameters and relationship with the ecological oscillations. The dynamics of natural populations (r and K) and their interpretation by numerical simulation.
Mathematics and ecology statistics: from the Lotka and Volterra equations to the determination of interspecific links. The reason for certain population growths (atypical cycles). The ontogenetic niche shif. Donor-controlled systems. The dynamics of leaching, colonization, macrodetritivoria. Olson's model. The transformation of the debris. Chains and debris nets. The excel sheets to calculate the niche overlap (interference).
Field monitoring / sampling activities at Rio Fiume (Tolfa, Rome) (macroinvertebrates and aquatic vertebrates). Collection of plant debris for laboratory experimentation. Use of the stereoscope / microscope and taxonomic determination of the sampling organisms. Use of dichotomous keys (CNR, Sansoni and Tauchet guidelines). Calculation of biodiversity indices (Shannon and Simpson). Analysis of redundancy and eventuality
Introduction to the interpretation of the experimental data. The meaning of statistical normalization. The panorama of advanced statistics programs (r-program, PAST, SPSS, Mathlab, Math, Exlstat).
Experimentation setup to measure the leaching process (i.e. Eucaliptus and Quercus). Use of the thermostated stove. Use of the analytical balance. Introduction to the statistical analysis of experimental data (average initial dry weight, DS and 2ES). Evaluation of the experimental error. Normalization of the data. Calculation of the densities of natural populations by means of transept and visual sampling census techniques. Preparation of the calculation of densities through spreadsheets
Preliminary activity to test the level of ornithological knowledge through dedicated online sites. Taxonomic determination of aquatic birds in the Mediterranean area. Vertebrates: birds and aquatic mammals. Census, check list. Migrations. Ecological niche (spatial and trophic). Alien species. The impact of alien species on native flora and fauna.
(reference books)
Ecological Methodology - Professor of Zoology Charles J Krebs Benjamin/Cummings, 1999 - 620 pages
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
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Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Oral exam
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| Module: MODULE B
(objectives)
Educational objectives
The objectives of the course are the transmission of the basic notions of ecotoxicology useful for correctly framing the issues related to environmental and human health. The course introduces environmental issues related to the presence of xenobiotic chemicals and focuses attention on cellular toxicity mechanisms. The processes that lead to persistence / degradation, bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, the use of cell biomarkers and the use of cell cultures in vitro as a useful tool in the study of toxicity at various levels constitute the central topics of the course. The lessons in the laboratory aim to learn the main techniques for in vitro cultivation of mammalian and / or fish cell lines and the procedures necessary to perform cytotoxicity tests
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the training activity the student will acquire knowledge on what the chemical / physical characteristics of the contaminants and the biotic and abiotic processes capable of influencing their environmental path and toxicity, will be able to describe the general principles for assessing the direct and indirect effects of different environmental contaminants on the various levels of biological organization, research, evaluation, elaboration of the relevant ecotoxicological information. He will be able to understand, organize and present data relating to an ecotoxicological study.
Knowledge and understanding applied
At the end of the training activity, the student must demonstrate that he is able to experimentally manipulate in vitro cells to be used for ecotoxicological tests.
Judgment autonomy
During the exercises and the bibliographic study work, the student will acquire critical judgment autonomy on the basis of the knowledge learned for the assessment of environmental risk and possible remedies.
Communication skills
The student will acquire an appropriate technical language during the study of articles provided in class. The methods learned during the laboratory lessons include a short practical test. Communication and exhibition skills will be verified during the exam.
Ability to learn
The student must demonstrate that he is able to use the methods learned to investigate different ecotoxicological problems. The student must be able to critically report an ecotoxicological research through a short discussion
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Language
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ITA |
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Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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6
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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BIO/06
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Contact Hours
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32
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Exercise Hours
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16
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Type of Activity
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Related or supplementary learning activities
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Teacher
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WILLEMS Daniela
(syllabus)
The environmental fate of a pollutant in the different environmental compartments
Importance of ecotoxicology and cellular toxicology. Review of the structure and function of the cell and organization of pluricellular organisms (cells, tissues, organs, organisms). Cellular and molecular toxicity. The environment as an agent capable of modifying the phenotype and influencing the molecular aspects of development. Regulation of transcription and environmental interference. Transmission of epigenetic memory between generations, transmission of damage from xenobiotics. The importance of development for health and disease. Relationship between the individual's response and ecological effects. The study of the effects, exposure, absorption, distribution and excretion. Toxicity tests. Use of bacteria, algae, crustaceans, fish and mammals evaluation tests (acute and chronic) and "endpoints" (LC50, EC50, IC50, NOEC, LOEL)
Bioconcentration, Bioaccumulation, Biomagnification. The REACH program and Directive 91/414 / EEC for chemicals.
Main classes of synthetic organic pollutants and evidence of their environmental effects
The main physico-chemical properties of a pollutant and environmental persistence, degradative pathways found in nature. Persistent contaminants and global contamination. Notes on the forecast models for the assessment of the environmental fate of organic pollutants. The QSAR (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship) models. Mixtures of toxic substances in the environment: an approach to the problem.
Evaluation of the effects: toxicological tests at different levels of organization and complexity (laboratory, mesocosms etc).
Bioindicators, and biomarkers, the search for the primary target of pollutants: the main biomarkers. Bioremediation
In vitro cell cultures applied to the ecotoxicological study. Main cell culture techniques
(reference books)
Ecotossicologia (Vighi e Bacci) UTET Edizioni
Introduzione alle colture cellulari (Mariottini, Capicchioni, Guida, Mattioli, Penco, Romano, Scarabelli) Tecniche Nuove Editore
During the lessons will be given links to recent journal articles or books on different related topics
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
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Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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