Soil Protection and Ecotoxicology
Bodenschutz und Altlasten
6 CPWinterENno longer offered
Prerequisites
Recommended, as written
Knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology and soil science.
Contents
Part 1 Lecture: • Ecotoxicology: Goals and Definition • Important Aspects of Ecotoxicology: • Dose-response relationship • Toxic Effects • Behavior of Environmental Chemicals • Fate of Chemicals: • Routes of contaminants to enter ecosystem • Processes of contaminants • Important Properties of Contaminants and Environment • Biomonitoring • Metabolism of contaminants • Contaminant Sources & Effects • Risk Assessment • Case Study: Manufactured Gas Plant Sites • Students Presentations Part 2 Seminar: Block Seminars organized in the end of the Semester • Introduction to Geopedology • Soil and subsurface properties and development • Physical, chemical and mineralogical properties • Quaternary landscape development • Soil genesis and taxonomy • Soil distribution • Describing and sampling soils: • Techniques for soil profile constructions • Profile and pedon description • Soil sampling • Field portable techniques: • FP XRF, FP XRD, FP NIR • GPR, ERT, seismic, geomagnetics • Geomorphic analysis • LiDAR • UAV-based photogrammetry
Learning outcomes
Rationale The purpose of this module is to extend the basic knowledge of pedology with respect to soil protection and ecological effects of pollutants. The complexity of soil properties, soil distribution and soil development controlling main soil functions, such as filtering and buffering, will be addressed. 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. Particular attention is paid to common and novel methods for analysis of soil properties. Part Ecotoxicology: The lecture of Ecotoxicology deals with the potentially harmful impact of chemicals, present as pollutants of the environment, to living organisms. In this course students will learn about the influence of the industrial and agricultural development on various environmental compartments (water, air, soil, flora and fauna). The overview of existing natural, synthetic and industrial chemicals will be presented. Additionally, fate of chemicals, including distribution, exposition, uptake and metabolism pathways will be explained. Furthermore, the importance of dose and concentration using dose-effect relations together with important terminology will be shown. Finally, risk assessment management concerning environmental chemicals will be presented. Part Geopedology: The seminar Geopedology deals with an intergrative approach of soil science, geomorphology and geology. Students will learn the main factors and processes controlling soil properties. The significance of both past and modern human impacts for land degradation and soil contamination will be shown. Students will practice the methods of describing and sampling soils. Moreover, students get an introduction to field portable techniques and will learn how to gather and interpret geomorphic information.
Assessment
Lecture: 50% of final grade (Test 45-min long + Presentation 10-min long) Seminars: 50% of final grade (Short Tests+Presentation 10-min long)
Literature (13)
- Brady, N. C. & R. Weil (ed), The Nature and Properties of Soils, Verlag Prentice Hall, New Jersey/USA
- Everett, M.E. (2013): Near-Surface Applied Geophysics. Cambridge University Press.
- Lal, R. et al. (1998), Methods for assessment of soil degradation. CRC press
- Huang, P.M. et al. (2000), Environmental impact of soil component interactions. Lewis publisher
- Stevenson, F. J. 1994, Humus chemistry – genesis, composition reactions (2nd edition), Verlag John Wiley and Sons, New York
- McBride, M. B. (1994), Environmental chemistry of soils. Oxford University Press
- Schoeneberger, P.J., D.A. Wysocki, E.C. Benham, and Soil Survey Staff (2012): Field book for describing and sampling soils, Version 3.0. Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.
- Dickinson, G. & Murphy, K. 1997, Ecosystems. A Functional Approach, Routledge Introductions to Environment, ISBN: 0-203-13248-3
- Ballantyne, Brian (Ed.), 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.
Remarks
This Module will be offered for the last time in winter semester 2019/2020! Module 12949 Geoecology and module 12959 Geopedology builds up on this module. In order to fulfill the Phase out Module Requirements students must attend Geoecology Lecture (240437) and Geopedology Seminars (240421).
Source: BTU's module description · retrieved 21 Oct 2026Original