Prerequisite/Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Students who have passed the module should be able to

• Describe key components of freshwater ecosystems
• Describe relevant theory for physical, chemical and biological processes in freshwater ecosystems
• Describe the dominant anthropogenic types of pollution affecting freshwater ecosystems
• Differentiate between major types of streams, rivers and lakes
• Explain the exchange of matter between aquatic and terrestrial environments
• Explain lake and river ecosystem dependence on light, temperature, nutrients and organic matter
• Describe primary production, respiration and re-oxidation in freshwater ecosystems
• Account for current river and lake restoration methods
• Describe important organic and inorganic pollutants and pollution effects in freshwater ecosystems.

Skills

• Determine the significance of hydraulic conditions on chemical and biological dynamics in lakes and rivers
• Analyze oxygen dynamics in freshwater environments
• Analyze impacts of pollution on biotic communities
• Use existing pollution indicators for running waters and lakes to assess the pollution of a given location

Competences

• Work with and analyze biological communities in relation to nutrient dynamics and organic matter cycling in lake and river ecosystems
• Evaluate methods to prevent and alleviate anthropogenic perturbations in freshwater ecosystems using existing technologies

Type of instruction

• Lectures

Extent and expected workload

150 hours

Exam

Exams