Ecotoxycology 1400-114ETOK2

Lectures

1. Biomagnification – sporadic or common phenomenon?

The lecture is a supplement to the tutorial block. It shows that relatively small number of xenobiotics undergoes the increase in concentration in the trophic chains. The reasons for the incorrect interpretation of that phenomenon are discussed – i.e. inadequate choice of trophic levels compared. The mechanisms behind differentiated accumulation of xnobiotics are going to be explained, i.a. using the example of Dallinger and Hopkin concept.

2. Changes in vertebrates behavior under the influence of environmental xenobiotics.

Consequences of such changes on both populational and multispecies groups are going to be discussed. Those changes can cause i.a. limited survival rate of young individuals as a result of inadequate care or aggression of the mothers towards the offspring. The final effect is a disruption of the population age structure until the total reverse of the age pyramid. The influence of behavior changes on the disruption of dominance structure or reproduction disruptions is going to be discussed as well (caused i.e. by abnormal mating behaviour or territorial behaviour).

3. Pollution as a selective factor: the influence on the population level and on the multispecies group level – with the examples of selected terrestrial invertebrates.

The lecture is a supplement to the tutorial block. Adaptations of invertebrates to living in the conditions of severe pollution with xenobiotics are going to be presented. In case of further decline in environmental conditions such adaptations allow some species reaching the significant advantage in competing with initially coexisting species. The examples of such selection and adaptation to living in the areas with high xenobiotic concentrations are going to be discussed.

4. The influence of anabiotic and biotic environmental factors on the effectiveness of xenobiotics activity.

The lecture is an introduction to the tutorials. The role of some abiotic factors is going to be discussed (i.e. light, diminishing pH or the presence of other toxic elements). The influence of organisms on the increase or limitation in bioaccessibility of xenobiotics is going to be presented using selected examples.

5. The ecological consequences of radionuclide circulation in the environment.

The following issues are going to be discussed:

- the including of radionuclides (cesium-137, potassium-40, radon) into trophic chains, on various trophic levels
- the dependence between the toxicity of selected radionuclides and the presence of other elements
- the role of fungi as intoxication-preventing ecological filters
- the role of mycorrhiza in the circulation of radioactive elements

6. Ecotoxicological activity of new generation xenobiotics: nanoparticles, ion liquids and ion crystals.

The lecture is a supplement to the tutorial block. The pollution of sediments with nanoparticles is going to be discussed and as a result of such action – their influence on the changes in structure of organism groups inhabiting benthic zone: aquatic macrophytes, algae, invertebrates and fish. The toxic influence of ion crystals and liquids on bacteria, fungi, algae and higher plants is going to be presented as well.

7. The changes in invertebrates behavior under the influence of environmental xenobiotics.

The lecture is a supplement to the tutorial block. The distortion in reading of environmental signals caused by the presence of xenobiotics is going to be discussed. Fine example for such issue are the difficulties in the identification of predatory fish kairomone and so the increasing threat for invertebrates (the disruption of predator – prey relationship).