Course Contents

Introduction to Aquatic Toxicology: Major classes of toxicants (carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens), Similarities and differences between the toxicity of metals and organic chemicals, Sources of toxic chemicals entering the aquatic environment and exposure pathways for aquatic organisms. Modes of toxic action: General concepts in Toxicology; Biological, physical, and chemical factors affecting distribution, fate, bioavailability, bioconcentration, Bioaccumulation, Biotransformation and bio magnification and metabolism, Toxicity exposure pathways for aquatic organisms: Modes of toxic chemical action; enzyme inhibition and endocrine disruption, Types of toxic effects: biochemical, molecular, physiological, behavioral, population, and community. Effects of Toxic chemicals on aquatic ecosystems: Effects on Organisms and ‘Omics in Aquatic Toxicology, Transcriptomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Microarray and Quantitative PCR Studies, RNA Sequencing, DNA Methylation Studies, Genotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, Neurotoxicity, Apoptosis and Necrosis, Immunotoxicology, Teratogenesis and Carcinogenesis Exposure Assessment and Risk Characterization: Acute and chronic responses to toxicants, Application of animal models in predicting and assessing risk to human health, Detoxification methods, Use of bio indicators and risk assessment in aquatic toxicological studies. PRACTICALS Analysis of physico-chemical parameters of freshwater bodies exposed to toxicants, Studies on effects of metal toxicity on fish survival and growth, Toxicity Identification and Evaluation, Sediment Toxicity Assessment, Acute and Chronic Toxicity Tests, Examination and dissection of fish collected from contaminated river to observe the toxic effects of contaminants. Histopathological studies of vital body organs of fish exposed to toxicants (metals and PCBs). BOOKS RECOMMENDED Ostrander, G. K. 2005. Techniques in Aquatic Toxicology; CRC Press, USA. Dodds, W. K. 2002. Freshwater Ecology: Concepts and Environmental Applications. Academic Press, San Deigo. California, USA. Rand, G. M. 1995. Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology: Effects, Environmental Fate And Risk Assessment; October 5, 1995 by CRC Press. USA. Botana, L.M. 2000. Seafood and Freshwater Toxins: Pharmacology, Physiology and Detection. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc. Donald, C., Malins, Ostrander, G. K. 1994. Aquatic Toxicology: Molecular, Biochemical, and Cellular Perspectives; Lewis Publishers. New York, USA.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Understand modes of action of toxic chemicals, types of effects from the molecular to the ecosystem level, • Understanding of detoxification processes. • Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various toxicity testing methods. • Understand the scientific basis and limitations of water quality standards.