BIOMONITORING AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
- Academic year
- 2022/2023 Syllabus of previous years
- Official course title
- BIOMONITORAGGIO E BIOTECNOLOGIE AMBIENTALI
- Course code
- CM0517 (AF:380041 AR:198929)
- Modality
- On campus classes
- ECTS credits
- 6
- Degree level
- Master's Degree Programme (DM270)
- Educational sector code
- BIO/07
- Period
- 1st Semester
- Course year
- 1
- Where
- VENEZIA
- Moodle
- Go to Moodle page
Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
The course contributes to provide the conceptual bases, approaches, methods and bio-ecological techniques usable in the field and in the laboratory for: 1) monitoring and evaluation of environmental quality; 2) the design of environmental recovery and rehabilitation interventions and the evaluation of their effectiveness.
Expected learning outcomes
Specifically, the main learning outcomes expected are:
Knowledge and understanding:
To know at a theoretical and practical level the main bio-ecological methodologies and techniques used in the monitoring, management and recovery of compromised environments with particular attention to wastewaters, soils and sediments, accumulation and pollutant integration compartments.
Judgment skills:
Knowing how to evaluate the merits and limits of the various techniques. Identify the most appropriate techniques to be used on a case-by-case basis.
Learning skills:
Acquire the ability to re-elaborate the concepts and application examples presented in class, adapting them to various environmental situations. Know how to critically read scientific articles in the sector. Knowing how to properly connect the topics.
Communication skills:
Acquire the ability to expose the topics covered with appropriate terminology.
Pre-requirements
Contents
b) Biomonitoring of chemical pollution: the measurement of toxic effects and bioaccumulation. Ecotoxicological indicators.
c) Biomonitoring of air quality: Bioindicators and used approaches, focus on lichens and IBL index.
d) Soil biomonitoring: Bioindicators and approaches used in soil biomonitoring. The biological communities and the QBS_ar index. Impact indicators for contaminated soils.
e) Biomonitoring of watercourses: focus on the Star_cmi Index. Impact indicators for fresh waters.
f) Biomonitoring of macrobenthos in marine-coastal and transition environments in accordance with European Directives.
g) Biomonitoring of sediments and discharges: impact indicators, quality scales and integrated assessments.
h) Main groups of microorganisms used in environmental biotechnologies.
i) Microbial ecology of biological wastewater treatment processes. Suspended and adhered biomass technologies. Centralized and decentralized treatment plants.
l) Extensive, widespread and localized phytodepuration.
m) Bioremediation of contaminated sites: in situ biological remediation techniques (bioventilation, permeable biobarriers) and ex-situ (landfarming, composting, bioreactors). Phytoremediation processes and techniques.
Laboratory experiences are planned focused on application cases (12 hours)
Referral texts
Madoni P. Depurazione biologica nei fanghi attivi. Ed. Enia.
Borin M. (2003). Fitodepurazione. Ed. Edagricole, pp. 196
Brugnoli E. Massarelli C., Uricchio V. Zurlini G. (2014). Tecnologie di bonifica dei siti contaminati. Ed. Cacucci (anche in formato e-book), pp. 312
Selected material (scientific articles and application manuals) will be provided by the teacher.
Assessment methods
Intermediate tests with discussion in the classroom of specific topics also considered in lab experiences will be provided.
Teaching methods
Teaching language
Type of exam
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals
This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development