1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	15
Practicum	30
Seminar	15

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

AIMS OF THE COURSE :
The aims of the course is developing of knowledge about principles of plant ecotoxicology and acquiring practical skills as well as application of knowledge gained to solve real-world problems in environmental pollution.
COURSE CONTENTS:
Teaching will take place in the form of lectures, seminars and exercises, which will enable the systematization of knowledge from the course.
LECTURES
Lectures will be held classically, ex catedra.
1.Introduction, definitions of Ecotoxicology. Ecotoxicology of Plants. Overview of the main types of pollutants. Environmental pollution - natural and anthropogenic sources. Photochemical smog; acid rain; greenhouse effect; ocean acidification
2.The fate of pollutants in ecosystems. Entry into surface waters, contamination of land, discharge into the atmosphere. Factors determining movement and distribution of pollutants.
3.The fate of pollutants in plants. Processes of pollutant uptake, biotransformation, accumulation, detoxication and resistance in plants. Comparison of the processes in plants and animals.
4.Mechanisms of resistance and tolerance in plants to heavy metals. Metal-binding ligands in plants - phytochelatins, metallothioneine, mechanism of action of phytochelatin synthase, cyclic chelators, ferritins, organic acids.
5.Phytoremediation - phytoextraction, phytodegradation, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization. Hyperaccumulator species.
6.Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS)
7.Mechanisms of plant resistance to oxidative stress and role of ROS in signalling and regulation
8.Plant glutathione transferase (GST), their role in xenobiotic metabolism and regulation of GST in plants
9.Ethylene and jasmonate as regulators of cell death and resistance
10.The role of salicylic acid and nitric oxide in programmed cell death and induced resistance
11.Determination of pollutants in water or soil by physico-chemical methods. Legislative and toxicology tests in Croatia and EU.
12.Bioindicators (enzyme indicators such as peroxidases) and their role in risk assessment.
13.Plant test organisms (terrestrial and aquatic). Evaluation of pollutant-induced damage in plant cells.
14.Transgenic plants and mutants as sensors of environmental pollution toxicity and (A. thaliana, N. tabacum).
15.Use of plants in biomonitoring of terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems

PRACTICAL TRAINING
1. Design of experiment using plant biotests in toxicity assessment of single pollutant or their complex mixtures
2. Preparation of culture media and exposure of plant test organism to a toxicant or their complex mixtures
3. Evaluation of general toxicity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity
4. Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence using fluorometer (if applicable)
5. Determination of certain bioindicators of exposure and effect (damage to lipids and proteins, antioxidative enzymes, glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, reactive oxygen species) using spectrophotometry, electrophoresis and fluorescent microscope
6. Statistical analysis and interpretation of results

SEMINARS
1.Use of scientific literature and databases to identify information needed to understand and effectively communicate aspects of toxicology
2.Selection of theme
3.Presentation of seminar and critical evaluation of presented issue
4.Group discussion of seminars

1. Sandermann, H. 2004. Molecular ecotoxicology of plants. Ecological Studies. Vol. 170. Springer, Berlin.
2. Walker, C.H., Hopkin, S.P., Sibly, R.M., Peakall, D.B. 2006. Principles of Ecotoxicology. Taylor and Francis, London.

Izborni kolegiji - Regular study - Environmental Sciences