Module Code - Title:
BY4505
-
POLLUTION BIOLOGY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
BY4003
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To familiarise students with the main types of environmental pollutants, their origins exposure routes and impacts.
To equip students with skills in the methodology monitoring the impacts of selected pollutants.
Syllabus:
Categories of freshwater pollution. Organic pollution of surface and ground water - sources, effects and impacts. Indicators - biological and chemical monitoring; use of biotic indices. Methods for determination of nitrates, phosphorus , chlorophyll a, Ca, Mg, D.O., B.O.D., C.O.D., T.O.C., etc. Microbial pollution - methods.
Toxic pollutants in air, water, soil and food. Introduction to toxicological principles: acute toxicity; LD50; chronic toxicity (types of). Uses of lab and epidemological studies. Introduction to structure activity relationships in toxic chemicals. Risk assessment. Analytical methods. Review of toxic effects of heavy metals, chlorinated hydrocarbonsand other organics and inorganics, mycotoxins, radioactive elements. Air pollution: major air pollutants, sources and impacts, i.e. smoke SO2, NOx, PAHS CO2 Ozone, volatile organics CFC's. Global warming auses, models and scenarios; biological impacts.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Describe how organic pollutants adversely affect freshwater ecosystems and water quality.
List 10 indicators of good and bad water quality.
Solve practical numerical problems relating to calculating nutrient loadings, predicting eutrophication impacts, determining acute toxicity and other aspects of ecotoxicology.
Evaluate the impact of xenobiotics (dioxins, PCBs and other compounds) and heavy metals on natural ecosystems and human health.
Give proven examples of how climate change is influencing the worldÆs biota, ecosystems and weather systems
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
To use the knowledge gained to construct a balanced view of human impacts on the natural environment.
Relate generalized environmental concerns to actual scientific findings and to the
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Apply a range of laboratory skills relating to the analysis of water quality.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught by lectures assisted by on-line resources (Sulis). There will be a two-hour practical session each week in which the student will research 2 self directed projects and number of practical excercises. There will also be problem-solving asssignments allocated on a weekly basis. All practical work will be written up and submitted on-line.
The content of the learning experience is designed to be well-connected to other ideas and to the real world and to be personally relevant, interesting, useful, or meaningful to the student. The aim is to engage the students, stimulate their curiosity, encourage their self-confidence, responsibility and sense of accomplishment, cooperation with fellow students, and self-knowledge.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
The module is constantly updated in light of scientific and education developments.
Prime Texts:
Mason, C. (2002)
Biology of Freshwater Pollution
, Prentice Hall
Walker, C., Hopkin, S., Sibley R., and Peakall, D. (2005)
Principles of Ecotoxicology (3rd Ed.)
, aylor & Francis
Other Relevant Texts:
Clescerl, L., Greenberg, A., Eaton, D. (Eds) (2005)
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. (21st Ed.)
, American Public Health Association, (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA) & Water Environment Federation (WEF),
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
ronan.courtney@ul.ie