Geoecology
Geoökologie
6 CPevery semesterEN
Prerequisites
Recommended, as written
Knowledge in chemistry, biology and soil science
Contents
Part 1: Lecture: • goals and definitions • classes/groups of chemicals and their potential negative impacts on the environment • routes of entry of these chemicals into the environment and relevance • fate of chemicals • general principles of ecotoxicology -> toxicity -> dose-response relationships -> reception • factors that can possibly influence the toxicity of environmental chemicals • investigation methods • exploration of contaminated sites • detection of contaminants o measurement and assessment of basic site/soil parameters o selected toxicity tests o risk assessment · special investigation methods and selected case studies · phytoremediation · two short tests (approx. 30 minutes each) Part 2: Exercise/Practical training, practical work in the field and laboratory: · study design/problem formulation · sampling in the field · laboratory analysis · writing a technical report
Learning outcomes
Rationale Geoecology is an interdisciplinary science that integrates the geosciences with the life sciences. The purpose of this module is to extend the basic knowledge of geoecology with respect to anthropogenically induced challenges. Selected issues of soil science and applied soil protection, and related ecological problems will be reflected. Furthermore, the fundamentals of environmental toxicology with regard to adverse effects of chemicals on living systems will be taught. Lecture: The lecture of ecotoxicology deals with the potentially harmful impact of chemicals, present as pollutants in the environment, to living organisms with particular focus on soil. In this course students will learn about: - aspects of geoecology - basic concept of ecotoxicology - existing natural and synthetic chemicals - influence of industrial and agricultural development/processes with regard to chemicals in the environment - fate of chemicals (distribution, uptake, accumulation and possible degradation) - detection and risk assessment of contamination Exercise/Practical training: The exercise/practical training offers a practical approach, which is necessary to understand the fundamentals of geoecological research. Students will learn about: - study design and planning -field sampling -laboratory analyses -preparing a scientific report
Assessment
• Lecture: two tests; each of the two written tests lasts approximately 60 minutes (25% each, together 50% of final grade), • Exercise/Practical training: written laboratory report, 20-25 pages (50% of final grade)
Literature (7)
- Huggett, Richard J. (1995): Geoecology: An evolutionary approach. New York, Routledge.
- Dickinson, G. & Murphy, K. (1997): Ecosystems, A Functional Approach. Routledge Introductions to Environment, ISBN: 0-203-13248-3.
- Ballantyne, B. (Ed.) (1999): General and Applied Toxicology. Macmillan, London.
- Walker, C. H., Sibly, R. M., Hopkin, S. P. & Peakall, D.B. (2012): Principles of Ecotoxicology -4th ed. Boca Raton, CRC Taylor & Francis.
- Fent, K. (2007): Ökotoxikologie, Umweltchemie, Toxikologie, Ökologie. 3. Auflage. Stuttgart, New York, Thieme.
- Newman, M. C. & Unger, M. A. (2003): Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology. 2nd ed., Boca Raton, Lewis Publishers.
- Crosby, D. G. (1998): Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Oxford University Press, New York. McBride, M. B. (1994): Environmental chemistry of soils. Oxford University Press.
Source: BTU's module description · retrieved 17 Oct 2026Original