Aquatic Toxicology Training in Lacey, WA

The Northwest Environmental Training Center presents:

Introduction to Aquatic Toxicology
Understanding Impacts of Organic Chemicals and Metals on Aquatic Ecosystems
Course ID: ETOX - 410 (2 days)
January 31 - February 1, 2008, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Lacey Community Center
6729 Pacific Avenue SE
Lacey, WA 98503

Instructor: Ruth M. Harper, Ph.D.

Register Online | Directions | Accommodations | Course Catalog

Description: This introductory course provides participants with an understanding of the foundations of aquatic toxicology and how these concepts are applied to managing pollutants in aquatic environments. The course covers terminology, common test designs, and endpoints such as lethality, cancer, and endocrine disruption. Important legacy and emerging pollutants of concern such as heavy metals, organic pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products will also be presented. Fate and transport will be discussed as it relates to bioavailability and pollutant partitioning in aquatic environments. Course topics will be integrated and applied with a summary of federal risk assessment guidelines. Federal regulations, such as the Clean Water Act will be discussed with an emphasis on, and examples of, site specific criteria for metals using the water effects ratio (WER), hardness correction, and the biotic ligand model (BLM), which has been included in the 2007 EPA updates for Aquatic Life Copper Criteria. Finally, sediment quality guideline approaches for a range of pollutants, including equilibrium partitioning, ERL/ERM, TEL/PEL, and AET will also be presented with examples.

Course Topics:

Classes of toxic chemicals (carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, and others)

Sources of toxic chemicals entering the aquatic environment

Exposure pathways for aquatic organisms and humans

Biological, physical, and chemical factors affecting toxicity

Bioconcentration, biomagnification, and persistence

Modes of toxic chemical action

Types of toxic effects: biochemical, molecular, physiological, behavioral, population, community, and ecosystem

Detoxification, biotransformation, and biodegradation

Assessment of toxicity – LC50, EC50, and dose-response curves

Toxicity testing methods – acute and chronic, single and multiple species

Development and limitations of water quality standards

Overview of ecological risk assessment

Toxicity of metals overview

Toxicity of organic chemicals overview including persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disrupters

About the instructor: Ruth Harper is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in the Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University. She has worked on projects ranging from genetically based tolerance to pollutant exposure in marine systems with the NOAA Ecotoxicology Branch, CCHEBR, development of groundwater WET tests with photoactive pollutants with the Washington State DOE, and metal contamination and effects in mining systems in Colorado, Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia with agencies that include the USGS and USEPA.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Apply toxicology principles to environmental issues.
Understand how aquatic organisms are exposed to toxic chemicals.
Identify factors affecting toxicity, and understand the similarities and differences between the toxicity of metals and organic chemicals.
Understand modes of action of toxic chemicals, types of effects from the molecular to the ecosystem level, and detoxification processes.
Assess toxicity in terms of LC50 and EC50, and develop dose-response curves.
Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various toxicity testing methods.
Understand the scientific basis for and limitations of water quality standards.
Describe the principles of ecological risk assessment.

Prerequisites: Some college-level biology and chemistry coursework is required (even if it was a long time ago). A fundamental understanding of aquatic ecology is also helpful.

Education level: Introductory/Refresher

Course Materials: Attendees will receive a binder containing workshop proceedings and reference material.

Continuing Education Units: 1.3

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Lunch will be on your own. There are numerous restaurants within walking distance. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day.

Registration: $495 (*$395 reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members). You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.