Marine Pollution and Ecotoxicology

Objectives

The final goal of the course is for the students to be able to learn the following concepts:
- main types of pollutants in the oceans at a global, national, and regional scales;
- various methods of analysis of these pollutants;
- basic mechanisms of interaction of pollutants with biological systems at different levels of organization;
In addition to the previously mentioned knowledge we also aim to develop the capacity of the students (skills and competencies), to:
- search for new relevant information on related subjects;
- choose accredited services that make pollutant analysis;
- critically interpret data from different marine pollutants;
- suggest procedures to mitigate effects and accidents involving pollutants;
- integrate and communicate information related to this topic;

Program

Introduction
Topical and diffuse pollution, contamination and toxicity
Ecotoxicology: characteristics, selection processes, and indicator species
Biodisponibility, bioacumulation and bioamplification
Persistence (POPs)
Types of marine pollution, distribution and accumulation, limit values and their effects; forms of mitigation, decontamination, bioremediation and prevention
Urban solid waste and similar
effluents and eutrophication
Heavy metals and TBTs
Hydrocarbons
Radioactive pollution
Energy pollution
Bio-pollution
Emergent pollutants
Methods of analysis and detection of pollutants
Chemical, biological and ecological methods
National and regional legal implications on pollution control, of the European Directives of Marine Strategy (MFD)
and Water (WFD)
Factors affecting toxicity of a pollutant
Biomarkers of exposure, effect and susceptibility, at different levels of functional organization
Concepts of monitoring and biomonitoring

Environmental risk evaluation

Teaching Methodologies

Classes are expository using dynamic visual presentations, including videos, study visits and exploratory activities. For groups up to 20 students, expository and interrogative methods will be used, to keep the attention and participation of the students. At the end of the lessons the most relevant literature will be made available through the e-learning platform Moodle, which will also be used off-line in order to answer questions and/or give additional information.

Exploration activities will be carried out within the working group (max 3 students), which will focus on different topics, and will be governed by one teacher; they will expose and deepen contents exposed in theoretical classes. In the end these issues will be presented to the class to stimulate critical discussion. The evaluation will be a continuous process based on attendance and participation (10%), and in 2 written moments: a final test (50%), and the group work presented and discussed with other colleagues (40%).

Bibliography

Como obras centrais para esta UC, indicam-se:
- Clarke, R.B. (2001). Marine Pollution. 5th Ed. Oxford University Press. 248 pp.
- Hoffer, T.N. (2011). Marine Pollution - New Research. Nova Science Publishers, 448 pp.
- Hodgson, E. (Ed.) (2010). A Textbook of Modern Toxicology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 648 pp.
- Kennish, M.J. (2011). Pollution Impacts on Marine Biotic Communities. CRC Press, 310 pp.
- Potters, G. (2013). Marine Pollution. Bookboon.com Publisher, 231 pp.
- Sindermann, C.J. (2011). Ocean Pollution. Effects on Living Resources and Humans. CRC Press, 272 pp.
- Walker, C.H., Sibly, R.M., Hopkin, S.P. & Peakall, D.B. (2012). Principles of Ecotoxicology. 4th Ed. CRC Press, 386pp.
- Weis, J.S. (2014). Marine Pollution: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford University Press, 296 pp.
Em cada uma das aulas serão também recomendados 1 a 2 artigos de especialidade para cada uma das temáticas indicadas nos conteúdos programáticos