Xenobiotics in the Environment

Code:

TCAEM01

Acronym:

XA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MTCAEM	9	Oficial Plan 2020	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The objective of this unit is to present environmental xenobiotics, their source in the environment, the contamination and environmental fate. Also, the toxicology of these substances is reviewed.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course the student will have acquired knowledge, skills and powers to:
 
comprising:
- Understand the need to assess human exposure to xenobiotics
- Understand the need to implement systems check for xenobiotics
 
skills:
- Advising on the need to assess the existence of xenobiotics
- Decide the most appropriate technologies to minimize human exposure to xenobiotics
- Communicate orally and in writing the procedures for controlling human exposure to xenobiotics.
 
knowledge:
- The sources of xenobiotics
- The way to reduce human exposure to xenobiotics

Working method

Presencial

Program

Theoretical classes:

Xenobiotic substances in the water

Xenobiotic substances in the atmosphere

Persistent organic substances (POP)

Xenobiotics in the soil

 

Practical classes:

Studied cases discussed in the theoretical classes

Laboratory classes for the analysis of xenobiotics using HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS, molecular fluorescence and atomic absorption.

Mandatory literature

D. Barceló and M.C. Hennion; Trace Determination of Pesticides and Their Degradation Products in Water, Elsevier, 1997
B.O. Brooks, W.F. Davis; Understanding Indoor Air Quality, CRC, 1992
T.A. Ternes, A.Joss; Human Pharmaceuticals, Hormones and Fragrances: the challenges of micropollutants in urban water management, IWA, 2006
M. Richardson (Ed.); Environmental Xenobiotics, Taylor and Francis, 1996

Complementary Bibliography

G.W.vanLoon, S.J.Duffy; Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective, Oxford, 2000

Teaching methods and learning activities

Students are introduced to xenobiotics in the environment and their sources in the classroom. Also, in the lectures are presented the main effects of human and animal exposure to xenobiotics. In practical classes, students discuss case studies and perform some analysis of xenobiotics. The results are presented in written reports that will be defended orally at predetermined dates during the semester.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Prova oral	10,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Presence in 75% of the total number of practical and TP sessions.

Calculation formula of final grade

The classification of this unit is based on the classification of 4 reports:

- Three monographic reports about the subjects discussed in the theoretical classes (60%).

- One practical report (40%).

The monographic reports deserve an oral presentation that increase or decrease the report classification.