Učni načrt predmeta

Predmet:
Uvod v onesnaževanje okolja
Course:
Introduction to Environmental Pollution
Študijski program in stopnja /
Study programme and level		 Študijska smer /
Study field		 Letnik /
Academic year		 Semester /
Semester
Ekotehnologije, 2 stopnja / 1 1
Ecotechnologies, 2nd cycle / 1 1
Vrsta predmeta / Course type
Izbirni
Univerzitetna koda predmeta / University course code:
EKO2-865
Predavanja
Lectures		 Seminar
Seminar		 Vaje
Tutorial		 Klinične vaje
work		 Druge oblike
študija		 Samost. delo
Individ. work		 ECTS
15 15 15 105 5

*Navedena porazdelitev ur velja, če je vpisanih vsaj 15 študentov. Drugače se obseg izvedbe kontaktnih ur sorazmerno zmanjša in prenese v samostojno delo. / This distribution of hours is valid if at least 15 students are enrolled. Otherwise the contact hours are linearly reduced and transfered to individual work.

Nosilec predmeta / Course leader:
prof. dr. Milena Horvat
Sodelavci / Lecturers:
prof. dr. Ester Heath , izr. prof. dr. Tina Kosjek , izr. prof. dr. Sonja Lojen , prof. dr. Radmila Milačič Ščančar , prof. dr. Nives Ogrinc , prof. dr. Janez Ščančar
Jeziki / Languages:
Predavanja / Lectures:
Slovenski ali angleški / Slovene or English
Vaje / Tutorial:
Pogoji za vključitev v delo oz. za opravljanje študijskih obveznosti:
Prerequisites:

Zaključen študij prve stopnje naravoslovne ali tehniške smeri ali zaključen študij drugih smeri z dokazanim poznavanjem osnov področja predmeta (pisna dokazila, pogovor).

Completed first level studies in natural sciences or engineering or completed second level studies in other fields with proven knowledge of fundamentals in the field of this course (certificates, interview).

Vsebina:
Content (Syllabus outline):

Predmet obravnava sodobne koncepte onesnaževanja okolja, usodo onesnaževal v okolju ter povezave med okoljem, izpostavljenostjo in vplivi na ekosisteme in zdravje ljudi. Poudarek je na razumevanju procesov, ki določajo vire, transport, pretvorbe, porazdelitev in končno usodo onesnaževal v okolju.

Predmet vključuje:

vire in poti vnosa onesnaževal v atmosfero, hidrosfero, litosfero in biosfero ter povezave med posameznimi okoljskimi mediji;
transport, porazdelitev, kemijske in biološke pretvorbe, obstojnost, mobilnost in bioakumulacijo onesnaževal;
tradicionalna in nova onesnaževala, vključno s potencialno toksičnimi kemijskimi elementi, naravnimi in umetnimi radionuklidi, obstojnimi organskimi onesnaževali, kemikalijami, ki vzbujajo zaskrbljenost, farmacevtskimi učinkovinami ter mikro- in nanoplastiko;
vpliv podnebnih in drugih okoljskih sprememb na mobilnost, kroženje in izpostavljenost onesnaževalom;
koncepte source–pathway–receptor, exposure science in One Health ter povezovanje onesnaženja okolja z izpostavljenostjo človeka in ekosistemov;
načrtovanje okoljskega monitoringa, strategije vzorčenja, zagotavljanje in kontrolo kakovosti (QA/QC), primerljivost meritev ter osnovne principe meroslovja v okoljskih raziskavah;
okoljski biomonitoring in humani biomonitoring kot orodji za spremljanje izpostavljenosti;
karakterizacijo kontaminiranih območij, ocenjevanje tveganja, naravno obnovo in sodobne pristope remediacije;
upravljanje okoljskih podatkov, podatkovne infrastrukture in načela FAIR;
evropski in mednarodni okvir kemijske varnosti, okoljske in zdravstvene politike ter uporabo znanstvenih dokazov pri upravljanju tveganj;
študije primerov, prilagojene raziskovalnemu področju posameznega študenta.

The course introduces contemporary concepts of environmental pollution, the fate of pollutants in the environment, and the links between environmental contamination, exposure, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. Emphasis is placed on understanding the processes governing the sources, transport, transformation, distribution and ultimate fate of pollutants in the environment.

The course covers:

sources and pathways of pollutants into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, and interactions among environmental compartments;
transport, distribution, chemical and biological transformations, persistence, mobility and bioaccumulation of pollutants;
traditional and emerging pollutants, including potentially toxic chemical elements, natural and artificial radionuclides, persistent organic pollutants, chemicals of emerging concern, pharmaceuticals, and micro- and nanoplastics;
effects of climate and other environmental changes on pollutant mobility, cycling and exposure;
the source–pathway–receptor, exposure science and One Health concepts and links between environmental contamination and human and ecosystem exposure;
design of environmental monitoring, sampling strategies, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), comparability of measurements, and basic principles of metrology in environmental research;
environmental and human biomonitoring as tools for assessing exposure;
characterization of contaminated sites, risk assessment, natural recovery and contemporary remediation approaches;
environmental data management, data infrastructures and FAIR principles;
European and international frameworks for chemical safety, environmental and health policies, and the use of scientific evidence in risk management;
case studies adapted to the research field of individual students.

Temeljna literatura in viri / Readings:

Temeljna literatura / Core reading

The Science of Environmental Pollution. CRC Press, 2021.
Izbrani aktualni pregledni in izvirni znanstveni članki s področja onesnaževanja okolja, usode onesnaževal, izpostavljenosti, biomonitoringa in ocenjevanja tveganja.
Aktualna strokovna poročila in dokumenti relevantnih evropskih in mednarodnih organizacij ter raziskovalnih programov s področja okolja, kemijske varnosti in zdravja.
Relevantna evropska in nacionalna zakonodaja.
Dodatna literatura se določi glede na raziskovalno področje in seminarsko nalogo posameznega študenta.

Core reading

The Science of Environmental Pollution. CRC Press, 2021.
Selected current review and original research papers addressing environmental pollution, pollutant fate, exposure, biomonitoring and risk assessment.
Current scientific reports and documents from relevant European and international organisations and research programmes in the fields of environment, chemical safety and health.
Relevant European and national legislation.
Additional literature will be selected according to the research field and seminar topic of the individual student.

Cilji in kompetence:
Objectives and competences:

Cilj predmeta je razviti celovito in interdisciplinarno razumevanje onesnaževanja okolja ter povezav med viri onesnaževal, njihovim obnašanjem v okolju, izpostavljenostjo in tveganjem.

Po opravljenem predmetu bo študent:

razumel procese, ki določajo vire, transport, pretvorbe, porazdelitev in končno usodo onesnaževal v okolju;
razumel povezave med onesnaženjem okolja, zunanjo in notranjo izpostavljenostjo ter možnimi vplivi na ekosisteme in zdravje ljudi;
sposoben kritično presojati kakovost, primerljivost, negotovost in omejitve okoljskih podatkov;
razumel pomen ustreznega načrtovanja vzorčenja, meritev, QA/QC in podatkovnega upravljanja;
znal izbrati ustrezen pristop za okoljski oziroma humani biomonitoring glede na raziskovalno vprašanje;
razumel osnovne principe karakterizacije kontaminiranih območij, ocenjevanja tveganja, naravne obnove in remediacije;
znal povezovati znanstvene podatke z zakonodajo, kemijsko varnostjo ter odločanjem na področju okolja in zdravja;
razvil sposobnost interdisciplinarnega in sistemskega reševanja kompleksnih okoljskih problemov.

Kompetence

Kritično razmišljanje in analiza: Študenti bodo razvili sposobnost kritičnega razmišljanja in analize okoljskih problemov, s posebnim poudarkom na identifikaciji in reševanju kompleksnih primerov onesnaženja.

Tehnično znanje: Študenti bodo pridobili tehnično znanje, potrebno za identifikacijo, karakterizacijo in remediacijo kontaminiranih območij, vključno z uporabo naprednih tehnologij in metod.

Zakonodajno znanje: Študenti bodo usposobljeni za uporabo zakonodajnih orodij in normativov v okviru okoljskega inženiringa in znanosti, kar jim bo omogočilo pravilen pristop k reševanju pravno-regulativnih vprašanj v okolju.

Praktične raziskovalne veščine: Študenti bodo razvili praktične raziskovalne veščine, vključno z načrtovanjem in izvedbo okoljskih monitoringov ter analizo podatkov, pridobljenih skozi ta proces.

Interdisciplinarno povezovanje: Študenti bodo sposobni interdisciplinarno povezovati znanja iz različnih področij, kot so kemija, fizika, biologija in geologija, za celostno razumevanje in reševanje okoljskih problemov.

Prilagodljivost in inovativnost: Študenti bodo razvili sposobnost prilagajanja znanja specifičnim okoljskim izzivom, s poudarkom na inovativnih pristopih k reševanju kompleksnih okoljskih problemov z uporabo primerov iz prakse.

The objective of the course is to develop a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of environmental pollution and the relationships between pollutant sources, environmental fate, exposure and risk.

Upon completion of the course, the student will:

understand the processes governing the sources, transport, transformation, distribution and ultimate fate of pollutants in the environment;
understand the relationships between environmental contamination, external and internal exposure, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health;
be able to critically assess the quality, comparability, uncertainty and limitations of environmental data;
understand the importance of appropriate sampling design, measurements, QA/QC and data management;
be able to select an appropriate environmental or human biomonitoring approach according to the research question;
understand the basic principles of contaminated-site characterization, risk assessment, natural recovery and remediation;
be able to link scientific evidence with legislation, chemical safety, and environmental and health decision-making;
develop the ability to address complex environmental problems using interdisciplinary and systems-based approaches.

Competencies

Critical Thinking and Analysis: Students will develop the ability to critically think and analyze environmental issues, with a special focus on identifying and solving complex pollution cases.

Technical Knowledge: Students will acquire the technical knowledge needed to identify, characterize, and remediate contaminated areas, including the use of advanced technologies and methods.

Legislative Knowledge: Students will be equipped to use legislative tools and standards within the field of environmental engineering and science, enabling them to approach legal and regulatory environmental issues correctly.

Practical Research Skills: Students will develop practical research skills, including planning and conducting environmental monitoring and analyzing the data obtained through this process.

Interdisciplinary Integration: Students will be capable of integrating knowledge from various fields, such as chemistry, physics, biology, and geology, to achieve a comprehensive understanding and resolution of environmental issues.

Adaptability and Innovation: Students will develop the ability to adapt their knowledge to specific environmental challenges, with a focus on innovative approaches to solving complex environmental problems using practical case studies.

Predvideni študijski rezultati:
Intendeded learning outcomes:

Po uspešno opravljenem predmetu bo študent sposoben:

razložiti ključne procese, ki določajo obnašanje in usodo onesnaževal v različnih okoljskih medijih;
analizirati okoljski problem po konceptualni povezavi vir → transport in pretvorbe → izpostavljenost → učinek/tveganje;
izbrati ustrezne okoljske oziroma biološke matrikse, strategijo vzorčenja in osnovni analitski pristop za izbrani problem;
kritično ovrednotiti kakovost, negotovost, primerljivost in omejitve okoljskih podatkov in meritev;
razlikovati med okoljskim monitoringom, biomonitoringom, humanim biomonitoringom in ocenjevanjem tveganja ter pojasniti njihove medsebojne povezave;
interpretirati podatke v širšem okoljskem, zdravstvenem in regulatornem kontekstu;
predlagati koncept monitoringa, upravljanja, naravne obnove ali remediacije za izbrani okoljski problem;
samostojno analizirati aktualni okoljski problem, kritično ovrednotiti znanstveno literaturo ter rezultate strokovno predstaviti in zagovarjati.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

explain the key processes governing the behaviour and fate of pollutants in different environmental compartments;
analyse an environmental problem using the conceptual framework source → transport and transformation → exposure → effect/risk;
select appropriate environmental or biological matrices, sampling strategies and basic analytical approaches for a selected problem;
critically evaluate the quality, uncertainty, comparability and limitations of environmental data and measurements;
distinguish between environmental monitoring, biomonitoring, human biomonitoring and risk assessment and explain their interrelationships;
interpret data within a broader environmental, health and regulatory context;
propose a monitoring, management, natural recovery or remediation concept for a selected environmental problem;
independently analyse a current environmental pollution problem, critically evaluate scientific literature, and professionally present and defend the conclusions.

Metode poučevanja in učenja:
Learning and teaching methods:

predavanja z aktivnim sodelovanjem študentov;
problemsko in projektno usmerjeno učenje;
analiza aktualnih študij primerov in realnih okoljskih podatkov;
kritična analiza znanstvene literature;
seminarsko delo, povezano z raziskovalnim področjem študenta;
eksperimentalno oziroma praktično delo, kjer je primerno;
individualne konzultacije in strokovna razprava.

lectures with active student participation;
problem- and project-based learning;
analysis of current case studies and real environmental data;
critical analysis of scientific literature;
seminar work related to the student's research field;
experimental or practical work, where appropriate;
individual consultations and scientific discussion.

Načini ocenjevanja:
Delež v % / Weight in %
Assesment:
Seminarska naloga
50 %
Seminar work
Zagovor seminarske naloge, pri katerem dokaže osvojitev vseh študijskih izidov z vsaj po enim konkretnim primerom.
50 %
Defense of the seminar work where the student demonstrates the achievement of all learning outcomes with at least one specific case for each outcome
Reference nosilca / Lecturer's references:
1. COSSA, Daniel, HORVAT, Milena, et al. Mediterranean mercury assessment 2022 : An Updated budget, health consequences, and research perspectives. Environmental science & technology. [Print ed.]. [in press] 2022, 23 str. ISSN 0013-936X. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03044.
2. BOŽIČ, Dominik, HORVAT, Milena. Insights into seasonal variations in mercury isotope composition of lichens. Environmental Pollution. [Online ed.]. 1. Jan. 2024, vol. 340, part 1, [article no.] 122740, str. 1-7, ilustr. ISSN 1873-6424. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749123017426, DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122740. waters affected by historic mercury mining (Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea). Environmental science and pollution research international, ISSN 0944- 1344. [Print ed.], 2014, vol. 21, issue 6, str. 4163-4176.
3. Gačnik J., Živković I., Kotnik J., et al., Horvat M. Comparison of active measurements, lichen biomonitoring, and passive sampling for atmospheric mercury monitoring. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31 (2024), 35800–35810.
4. TORRES-RODRIGUEZ, Natalia, HORVAT, Milena, HEIMBÜRGER-BOAVIDA, Lars-Eric, et al. Mercury fluxes from hydrothermal venting at mid-ocean ridges constrained by measurements. Nature geoscience. [Print ed.]. Jan. 2024, str. 51–57, ilustr. ISSN 1752-0894. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01341-w, DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01341-w.
5. BASU, Niladri, BASTIANSZ, Ashley, DÓREA, José G., FUJIMURA, Masatake, HORVAT, Milena, SHROFF, Emelyn, WEIHE, Pal, ZASTENSKAYA, Irina. Our evolved understanding of the human health risks of mercury. Ambio. May 2023, vol. 52, iss. 5, str. 877-896, ilustr. ISSN 1654-7209. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-023-01831-6, DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01831-6.