SubjectsSubjects(version: 990)
Course, academic year 2026/2027
  
   
Ecotoxicology Laboratory - B240009
Title: Laboratoř ekotoxikologie
Form of teaching: laboratory practicals
Guaranteed by: Department of Environmental Chemistry (240)
Faculty: Faculty of Environmental Technology
Actual: from 2026
Duration in semesters: 1
Semester: both
Points: 6
E-Credits: 6
Examination process:
Hours per week, examination: 0/8, MC [HT]
Capacity: winter:unknown / unlimited (unknown)
summer:unknown / unknown (unknown)
Maximum number of enrolled students: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Teaching methods: full-time
Level:  
Repeated enrollment: - / - / - / 9
Note: you can enroll for the course in winter and in summer semester
Guarantor: Mocová Klára Anna Mgr. Ph.D.
Class: Základní laboratoře
Pre-requisite : B240002
Is interchangeable with: AB240009
Examination dates   Schedule   
This subject contains the following additional online materials
Annotation -
The purpose of the laboratories is to transfer theoretical knowledge in the field of ecotoxicology into practice. Students will learn to perform selected ecotoxicological tests on organisms of different trophic levels (decomposers, producers, and consumers) of aquatic and terrestrial environments, methods of evaluation and statistical evaluation of the obtained results and their subsequent interpretation.
Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (18.04.2025)
Course completion requirements -

Students must complete the laboratory assignments and turn in the individual assignment reports by the due date. Participation in the laboratories is mandatory.

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (23.04.2025)
Literature -

Obligatory:

  • Tajnaiová, L., Vurm, R., Šír, M.. Laboratoř ekotoxikologie (in Czech). Prague: UCT Prague, 2020, s. ISBN .
  • Up-to-date instructions for each task in e-learning

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (07.02.2025)
Teaching methods -

Teamwork: students will work in groups on assignments according to the instructions.

Discussion: Within the group they will actively divide the work, consult the solution process among themselves and with the teacher.

Laboratory techniques: They will continuously learn different ecotoxicological procedures and techniques as well as methods of evaluation.

Analysis of results: they will then process and interpret the data obtained in protocols, which they will continuously submit and consult with the teacher.

Project-based learning: in the final phase of the labs, they will solve a case study in which they will capitalize on the experiences of the previous assignments.

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (18.04.2025)
Requirements to the exam -

A condition for obtaining credit is the preparation of laboratory reports from individual laboratory tasks and their submission by the specified deadline.

The classification is based on the way of work in class, the quality of the reports and their timely submission.

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (23.04.2025)
Syllabus -

1. Preparation of liquid and solid media for toxicity tests.

2. Rearing and culture of model organisms: handling, observation and transplantation of cultures.

3. Working under sterile conditions. Basic microscopy techniques.

4. Determination of toxicity of chemicals: choice of concentration series, application of substances to liquid and solid media.

5. Determination of toxicity of mixed and real samples: sample preparation, leaching.

6. Toxicity tests with producers: unicellular algae.

7. Toxicity tests with producers: higher plants, determination of chlorophyll content.

8. Toxicity tests with consumers: invertebrates.

9. Toxicity tests with destroyers: inhibitory effect of the chemical on bacteria.

10. Toxicity tests with destructors: determination of soil enzyme activity.

11. Detection of microorganisms in a soil sample.

12. Measurement of growth characteristics by digital image analysis.

13. Evaluation of ecotoxicological data: dose-response curve, NOEC, LOEC, EC50.

14. Determination of ecotoxicity of a real sample: development of an experimental procedure.

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (23.04.2025)
Learning resources -

https://e-learning.vscht.cz/course/view.php?id=3269

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (07.02.2025)
Learning outcomes -

Students will be able to:

  • Apply basic laboratory techniques in ecotoxicological practice according to provided standard operating procedures (organism handling, microscopy, sterile work).
  • Perform standard ecotoxicity tests across different trophic levels (producers, consumers, decomposers) using reference chemicals and real environmental samples.
  • Quantify biological responses of organisms (e.g., growth, mortality, pigmentation) using instrumental and optical methods (spectrophotometry, image analysis).
  • Calculate key ecotoxicological parameters (percentage of inhibition or stimulation, determine EC50 values) from individual, provided, or model datasets.
  • Identify experimental errors (e.g., invalid controls) while correctly interpreting specific biological phenomena in data (e.g., growth stimulation) and propose modifications to concentration ranges based on them.
  • Design as a team a basic conceptual strategy and a timeline (reflecting the logistics of media and organism preparation over time) for the ecotoxicological assessment of an unknown environmental sample.

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (21.06.2026)
Registration requirements -

Toxicology and Ecotoxicology II

Last update: Mocová Klára Anna (18.04.2025)
Teaching methods
Activity Credits Hours
Konzultace s vyučujícími 0.4 10
Účast v laboratořích (na exkurzi nebo praxi) 4.8 135
Příprava na přednášky, semináře, laboratoře, exkurzi nebo praxi 0.8 23
6 / 6 168 / 168
 
VŠCHT Praha