Duration
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk : 16h Th, 12h Pr
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts : 8h Th, 12h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in environmental science and management (120 ECTS) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk : Célia Joaquim-Justo
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts : Corinne Charlier
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
The parameters for determining the fate of pollutants in the biosphere (transport, partition, degradation) and at the organization level (accumulation, redistribution in organs, metabolism, detoxification and elimination) will be presented.
The study of the effects of pollutants on organisms will be detailed (ecotoxicological tests that define the toxicity of substances, dose-response relationships, mechanisms of action at the molecular, cellular, tissue, physiological, organismal and population levels). Interactions of various pollutants and their impact on their effects on organisms will also be discussed.
Current tools for assessing pollution-related disturbances will be presented (monitoring and biomarkers). To illustrate these concepts, ecotoxicological tests will be conducted by the students so that they take the measure of the power and limitations of methods for assessing the toxicity of substances. We also propose to introduce students to the principles that govern the quantitative assessment of risk from chemicals, as realized in the EU (European Union), and provide the basics that allow this evaluation.
After an introduction to the principles on which the quantification of risk is based, techniques for estimating emissions and pollutant concentrations expected in the environment will be exposed. These such models, some of which will be detailed (McKay, EUSES, ...). The evaluation of the toxicity threshold of substances with respect to organisms in different compartments of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems will also be detailed. Finally, the decision procedures based on risk assessment will be reviewed. To illustrate these concepts, we will take the environmental risk analysis (Ecological Risk) of chemicals or proposed for the industrial production based on actual cases.
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts
After the introduction, dedicated to history of toxicology, we will study:
1) different ways of entrance in body for chemicals
2) toxicokinetic : ADME
3) toxicodynamic principles
4) risk assessment (TLV, symbols, NOEl, TDI, ...)
5) monography of main toxics
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
The objective of this course is to offer students a comprehensive and detailed view of the problems related to the presence of toxic pollutants in the environment.
Specific objectives are:
- Knowledge of properties, sources and the fate of the major classes of toxic pollutants in the environment
- Knowledge of the effects and mechanisms of action of these toxic pollutants on organisms / biocenoses
- Knowledge of the tools for the ecotoxicological management of these toxic pollutants, in general and in the specific context of the EU and RW.
- Initiation to the practical realization of ecotoxicological tests
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts
We will try to give to the students some general knowledge about toxicology, with a particular attention to some definitions and to the main principles included in the risk definition for a chemical substance
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
In order to benefit from this course, students must have solid notions of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology which are all essential to the understanding of the mechanisms of action of pollutants and ecotoxicological tests.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
The concepts discussed in the theoretical course will be further elaborated by practical laboratory work on the measurement of the toxicity of toxic pollutants on model species of freshwater invertebrates and following standardized test protocols (AFNOR, OECD, EU). .
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Courses, scientific literature, real examples from current events
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
The majority of theoretical courses are lectures with power point support. The concepts discussed in the theoretical course will be deepened by practical laboratory work.
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Blended learning
Additional information:
Lecture in ARLON by half days in second semester and/or podcasts.
One visit of the lab in Liège university hospital to discover the techniques.
Recommended or required readings
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Principles of Ecotoxicology (Walker et al., Taylor & Francis)
Mechanistic toxicology (Boelsterli, Taylor & Francis)
Ramade 2007. Introduction à l'écotoxicologie: fondements et applications
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Syllabus with main slides
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Any session :
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
- Remote
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred in-person
Additional information:
The course will be evaluated on the basis of a written (closed book) exam.
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- Remote
written exam
Additional information:
Written examination in june and september (QCM on E-campus)
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Dr. Joaquim-Justo
Laboratory of Animal Ecology & Ecotoxicology
Bât. B6c
Allée du 6 Août, n°11
4000 Liège
Tel: +32 4 366 51 40
e-mail: Celia.Joaquim-Justo@uliege.be
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Prof. Corinne CHARLIER
Clinical, forensic, environmental and industrial toxicology
Bloc central +3 porte 166 CHU
Phone (secretary) : 04/3237683 (secretoxico@chuliege.be)
Assistants : Raphaël DENOOZ, Catherine PIRARD, Nathalie DUBOIS