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G13. MONITORING OF WATER QUALITY
(KUL-code: GM24 (Th); GM25 (Pr))
Lecturer: OLLEVIER F. / BRENDONCK L.
ECTS-credit: 5 pts
Contact hours: 30 hrs. of theory/30 hrs. of practical
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of aquatic ecology, hydrology, microbiology, biochemistry, organic
and inorganic chemistry
Time and place: 1 st semester, VUB
Course syllabus: Lecture notes
Evaluation: Quotation on a personal work (case study) and an oral exam with written preparation
Comparable handbook: Water quality monitoring, Eds. J. Bartram & R. Ballance, E&FN SPON (Chapman and
Hall), London, 1996, ISBN 0-419-21730-4
Water quality assessments, Ed. D. Chapman E&FN SPON (Chapman and Hall),
London, 1996, ISBN 0-419-21590-5
Principles of ecotoxicology, second edition, Eds. C.H. Walker, S.P. Hopkin, R.M.
Sibly, D.B. Peakall, Taylor and Francis, London, 2001, ISBN 0-7484-0940-8
Additional information: -
Learning objectives:
The course aims at providing an in-depth knowledge of physical-chemical and biological methods for
monitoring water quality, to provide the students with the necessary tools for the design of a purpose-oriented
monitoring programme. Basic knowledge of the structure and function (e.g. courses C9- Aquatic Ecology and
G14- Advanced Aquatic Ecology) and the hydrological characteristics (e.g. courses C6-7- surface and
groundwater hydrology; courses G7-8- surface and groundwater modeling) of aquatic ecosystems is integrated
for the proper interpretation of water quality data, to predict the impact of pollution on the natural environment
and for water resource management. Special attention is given to the interdisciplinary character of
ecotoxicological research and monitoring programmes and to the need for an integration of the monitoring data
with the physical, hydrological and ecological characteristics of the catchment area and the various transport,
transformation, degradation and accumulation pathways that lead to the observed distribution patterns of
pollutants in the water and in organisms. Special emphasis is given to implementing monitoring programmes in
remote areas and in developing countries taking into consideration any practical limitations (e.g. financial
resources). As such the students will also get a good feeling of the vulnerability of the aquatic systems and the
need for working out a realistic and well budgeted monitoring and management scheme in relation to any
economical developments in the area considered. By this integration of monitoring and management strategies
in an ecological and sociological context, several of the IUPWARE learning points are met.
Course description:
A) General:
- Introduction to pollution: types of physical-chemical pollution of surface and groundwater; effects of
contamination of water with pathogenic bacteria and viruses; effects of pollution and eutrophication on the
ecology of streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries and marine waters;
- Introduction to ecotoxicology: impact of environmental conditions on the toxicity of compounds;
introduction to the criteria for the evaluation of toxicity (LC50, EC50, NOEC, MATC); biological
transformation, biodegradation and bio-accumulation of compounds; advantages and shortcomings of singlespecies
tests and tests using community or ecosystem responses; and
- Critical evaluation of merits and problems with physical-chemical and biological monitoring;
B) Physical-chemical monitoring:
- Measuring physical properties of water;
- Analysis of chemical properties of water;
- Water quality assessment: water quality criteria, norms, water quality indices; and
- Sampling strategies and techniques for physical-chemical monitoring of water quality;
C) Biological and microbiological monitoring:
44 / Course syllabi