Courses list

Wersja polska

Course code: MRS10113f16
Semester: 2016/2017 summer
Name: Phytoremediation of contaminated soils
Major: Plant Medicine
Study Type: first cycle
Course type: optional
Study Semester: 6
ECTS points: 5
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 15 / 0
Lecturer: Prof. Anna Karczewska
Language of instruction: Polish


Learning outcomes: Students possess the basic knowledge in the fields of biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, that is necessary to understand plant processes and environmental effects caused by toxic substances. They describe chemical and biochemical changes that take place in the biosphere They have basic knowledge on biodiversity of natural environment, its development and protection from adverse biotic and non-biotic factors. Students get information from literature and data bases, interpret the data and work out the conclusions. They are able to present and justify their own opinions. They are able to recognize and assess environmental hazards caused by human activity.

Competences: Students are able to work individually and in groups in which they play various roles. They are aware o a common responsibility for the tasks that are carried out in a group.

Prerequisites: Basic soil science and plant physiology

Course content: The main kinds of soil contaminants and their sources. Heavy metals and organic pollutants. Hazards caused by soil contamination and factors that govern environmental risk, including human health hazard and degradation of ecosystems. Methods used for assessment of contamination level. Strategies of remediation and the main methods of phytoremediation. Phytoextraction, phytodegradation, phytovolatilization and rhizofiltration. The rules of plant choice for phytoremediation.

Recommended literature: 1) Karczewska A. et al. 2015: Phytoremediation of copper-contaminated soils. In: Phytoremediation (pp. 143-170). Springer International Publishing. 2) Tsao D. 2003. Phytoremediation. Springer Complementary: 3) Bradl H. (ed.) 2005: Heavy Metals in the Environment: Origin, Interaction and Remediation, Academic Press. 4). McCutcheon S., Schnoor J. 2003. Phytoremediation: transformation and control of contaminants. J. Wiley.

Assessment methods: A grade from lectures 50%, and a grade from classes 50 %

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