Environmental Toxikology and -chemistry

Prof. Dr. Henner Hollert, Hollert@bio.uni-frankfurt.de, Phone +49 69 798 42171

PD Dr. Werner Brack (UFZ und GU), werner.brack@ufz.de

Dr. Sabrina Schiwy, Schiwy@bio.uni-frankfurt.de, Phone +49 69 798 42173


Module information

The exposure of humans and the environment to chemicals is becoming an increasingly important issue in society and plays an important role in premature deaths, climate change, and the destruction of ecosystems (e.g., using hazardous pesticides). Environmental toxicology is concerned with the harmful effects of chemical substances on ecosystems and their impact on humans. Environmental chemistry studies the dispersion, transformation and effects of chemical substances on the living and non-living environment.

 

In the lecture, extensive theoretical foundations are laid for the subsequent practical course. The relevance of environmental toxicology and methods are introduced comprehensively. Additionally, the assessment of different matrices (water, sediment, suspended matter) is addressed, and the levels of ecotoxicological effects (molecular effects, cell, individual to ecosystem) are discussed. In the environmental chemistry part, the history of environmental pollution, important substance groups, substance properties, distribution and effects of chemicals in the environment depending on their structure and properties are presented. The theory part is accompanied by a seminar, which deepens the lecture topics and is concluded with a lecture. 

 

The general and special technical procedures and methods for analysing possible environmental hazards and risks caused by complex mixtures, such as wastewater or sediments, are presented in the research-oriented practical course. For this purpose, samples taken upstream and downstream of a wastewater treatment plant equipped with a fourth treatment step to eliminate micropollutants are examined as a case study.

In the practical part, it is tested experimentally whether the upgrade of the treatment plant leads to an improvement of the water quality downstream of the treatment plant. Therefore, to achieve a comprehensive characterisation, regulatory-relevant and newly developed ecotoxicological in vivo and in vitro bioassays are learned and carried out on the samples mentioned above. Alternative methods to animal experiments and mechanism-specific bioassays have a major role in the course. The design and implementation of retrospective monitoring and the evaluation of complex data sets (linking laboratory and field data) are also covered in a case study in the form of a role-play. After completing the module, students are familiar with the current procedure of an environmental risk assessment of complex environmental samples. 








Time slot for the module– Second half of the winter semester


Number of participants – 12


Special features –The module can be performed wholly or partly in English upon agreement with students. Experiments of the genetic engineering safety level S1 are part of the practical course. The students are expected to be willing to conduct experiments with invertebrates.


Homepages of the working group


Hollert

Schiwy

Brack

Coordinator ot the master programme

Dr. Sabrina Schiwy

Biologicum, Campus Riedberg

Flügel C, Raum3.318
Max-von-Laue-Str. 13
60438 Frankfurt am Main

F +49 69 798-42173

Office hour:

by arrangement

E-Mail schiwy@bio.uni-frankfurt.de

Examination office

Sandra Luckert

Biozentrum, Campus Riedberg
Gebäude N 101, Raum 1.07
Max-von-Laue-Str. 9
60438 Frankfurt am Main

T +49 69 798-46475

F +49 69 798-46470 

Office hours:  

Tuesday and thursday from 12-14 o'clock and by arrangement

E-Mail pabio2@bio.uni-frankfurt.de