Interaction of Agrochemicals with the Environment
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Objective of module 1 is to provide students with knowledge of the main classes of pesticides with focus on correlation between chemical structure and mechanism of action, reactivity and environmental fate.
Objective of module 2 is to provide knowledge of the mechanisms regulating the distribution of the main classes of agrochemicals, as well as laboratory- and field-based approaches to investigate potential negative effects on non-target organisms.
Objective of module 3 is to provide an overview of various aspects of mutagenesis with focus on environmental genotoxic risk: basic knowledge of main mutagenic agents, their mechanisms of action and mechanisms of DNA repair. Laboratory mutagenesis tests will also be introduced.
Objective of module 2 is to provide knowledge of the mechanisms regulating the distribution of the main classes of agrochemicals, as well as laboratory- and field-based approaches to investigate potential negative effects on non-target organisms.
Objective of module 3 is to provide an overview of various aspects of mutagenesis with focus on environmental genotoxic risk: basic knowledge of main mutagenic agents, their mechanisms of action and mechanisms of DNA repair. Laboratory mutagenesis tests will also be introduced.
Expected learning outcomes
Module 1. Knowledge of the main classes of organic and inorganic pesticides. Ability to correlate physico-chemical properties and reactivity of molecules to their chemical structure. Capacity to predict the main transformations and the fate of agrochemical products in different environmental compartments.
Module 2. Ability to understand mechanisms underlying the distribution of agrochemicals in agroecosystems, as well as investigate their potential risks. Ability to plan practical strategies to monitor contamination and/or evaluate toxicity of agrochemicals.
Module 3. Understanding of various types of mutagens and their mechanisms of action, and principles of laboratory tests to evaluate the genotoxicity of a chemical.
Module 2. Ability to understand mechanisms underlying the distribution of agrochemicals in agroecosystems, as well as investigate their potential risks. Ability to plan practical strategies to monitor contamination and/or evaluate toxicity of agrochemicals.
Module 3. Understanding of various types of mutagens and their mechanisms of action, and principles of laboratory tests to evaluate the genotoxicity of a chemical.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
-Agrochemicals: definition, applications. Active ingredients, synergists, co-formulants, adjuvants. Maccanism and mode of action. Spectrum of action and selectivity. Formulations and methods of application. Resistance and anti-resistance strategies. Development of new plant protection products/authorization.
-Main classes of agrochemicals 1) Pesticides: fungicides, bactericides, insecticides: (Structure Activity relationships, SAR); 2) herbicides or herbicides (Structure Activity relationships, SAR); 3) (Structure Activity relationships, SAR); 4) repellents; 5) behavioral modifiers.
. Plant protection products: toxicological classification. Toxicity and exposure. Safety factor.
. Correlation between chemical and physical properties and environmental fate of plant protection products. Distribution and transformation of plant protection products in water, atmosphere and soil, chemical and photochemical reactions. Persistence. Degradation processes. Bioaccumulation. Methods of predicting the distribution of pesticides in the environment. Monitoring of residues in various environmental compartments.
In-depth study of a topic: analysis of scientific literature and discussion.
. Practical exercises using manual and instrumental techniques for the analysis of organic substances of environmental interest: determination of COD, analysis of anionic surfactants by spectrophotometric approaches, determination of logKow by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, solvent extractions from a solid matrix and analysis by HPLC.
The articulation of topics over time is coordinated with the practical exercises so that the theoretical part of the exercise is covered in advance.
SOIL ECOTOXICOLOGY
- Principles of ecology. Introduction to ecotoxicology and terrestrial ecotoxicology. Role of ecotoxicology in environmental management.
- Exposure and bioaccumulation of agrochemical products.
- Evaluation of the effects of agrochemicals. Assays for the evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity of agrochemicals. Choice of the model species, preparation of an experimental test, and application of some standardized tests on different soil organisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS
Main chemical mutagens, mechanisms of action and DNA repair mechanisms.
Effects of agrochemicals on DNA.
Mutagenesis tests, theoretical bases and applications.
Examples of protocols to detect mutagenic agents in environmental samples.
-Main classes of agrochemicals 1) Pesticides: fungicides, bactericides, insecticides: (Structure Activity relationships, SAR); 2) herbicides or herbicides (Structure Activity relationships, SAR); 3) (Structure Activity relationships, SAR); 4) repellents; 5) behavioral modifiers.
. Plant protection products: toxicological classification. Toxicity and exposure. Safety factor.
. Correlation between chemical and physical properties and environmental fate of plant protection products. Distribution and transformation of plant protection products in water, atmosphere and soil, chemical and photochemical reactions. Persistence. Degradation processes. Bioaccumulation. Methods of predicting the distribution of pesticides in the environment. Monitoring of residues in various environmental compartments.
In-depth study of a topic: analysis of scientific literature and discussion.
. Practical exercises using manual and instrumental techniques for the analysis of organic substances of environmental interest: determination of COD, analysis of anionic surfactants by spectrophotometric approaches, determination of logKow by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, solvent extractions from a solid matrix and analysis by HPLC.
The articulation of topics over time is coordinated with the practical exercises so that the theoretical part of the exercise is covered in advance.
SOIL ECOTOXICOLOGY
- Principles of ecology. Introduction to ecotoxicology and terrestrial ecotoxicology. Role of ecotoxicology in environmental management.
- Exposure and bioaccumulation of agrochemical products.
- Evaluation of the effects of agrochemicals. Assays for the evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity of agrochemicals. Choice of the model species, preparation of an experimental test, and application of some standardized tests on different soil organisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS
Main chemical mutagens, mechanisms of action and DNA repair mechanisms.
Effects of agrochemicals on DNA.
Mutagenesis tests, theoretical bases and applications.
Examples of protocols to detect mutagenic agents in environmental samples.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic concepts in chemistry, biology and genetics.
Teaching methods
ATTENDING STUDENTS:
- Frontal lectures, flipped learning and team-based classes
- laboratories
- Seminars
NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Attendance is encouraged, but not compulsory.
At the beginning of the course, NOT attending students must fix an appointment with the lecturers to assess independent study and practical activities.
Not attending students are guided by frontal lesson slides uploaded on the MyAriel site of the course, as well as by other didactic material indicated on the course site.
Flipped learning activities are discussed in advance and planned together with teachers in accordance with the program of class activities.
-Independent study of the topics covered in frontal lessons/flipped learning and team-based classes
-Analysis of scientific literature
-Independent study of methods used in chemical laboratories
Communication and dissemination of science concepts are delivered to not attending students by outsourced courses.
Scientific literature reading and comprehension on suitable case-study are discussed with teachers by appointment.
Practical laboratory concepts are delivered by on-line didactic video and reference literature on main analytical techniques.
- Frontal lectures, flipped learning and team-based classes
- laboratories
- Seminars
NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Attendance is encouraged, but not compulsory.
At the beginning of the course, NOT attending students must fix an appointment with the lecturers to assess independent study and practical activities.
Not attending students are guided by frontal lesson slides uploaded on the MyAriel site of the course, as well as by other didactic material indicated on the course site.
Flipped learning activities are discussed in advance and planned together with teachers in accordance with the program of class activities.
-Independent study of the topics covered in frontal lessons/flipped learning and team-based classes
-Analysis of scientific literature
-Independent study of methods used in chemical laboratories
Communication and dissemination of science concepts are delivered to not attending students by outsourced courses.
Scientific literature reading and comprehension on suitable case-study are discussed with teachers by appointment.
Practical laboratory concepts are delivered by on-line didactic video and reference literature on main analytical techniques.
Teaching Resources
Scientific papers, reviews, and slides will be provided during the course. E-learning material will be present on the myAriel platform of the course. On MyArielplatform, material for the analytical part, exam topics and solutions will be available as wellText book: S. Manahan - Environmental Chemistry, X edition, Ed. CRC Press (English version) or - Chimica Ambientale, I edizione, Ed.
Peter Gerald Cadogan Campbell, Pamela Welbourn, Peter V. Hodson, David A. Wright, Ecotoxicology, Ed. Cambridge (English version).
GENOMICA E MUTAGENESI AMBIENTALE, Lucia Migliore, Zanichelli (seconda edizione, 2018) https://www.zanichelli.it/ricerca/prodotti/genomica-e-mutagenesi-ambientaleIl materiale fornito è lo stesso per studenti frequentanti e non frequentanti.
Piccin. (Italian version).
Peter Gerald Cadogan Campbell, Pamela Welbourn, Peter V. Hodson, David A. Wright, Ecotoxicology, Ed. Cambridge (English version).
GENOMICA E MUTAGENESI AMBIENTALE, Lucia Migliore, Zanichelli (seconda edizione, 2018) https://www.zanichelli.it/ricerca/prodotti/genomica-e-mutagenesi-ambientaleIl materiale fornito è lo stesso per studenti frequentanti e non frequentanti.
Piccin. (Italian version).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the learning outcomes takes place by means of a written test. The written test will consist of open questions dealing with all the topics covered during the lessons and laboratory experiences. The final grade will be expressed in thirties (from 18/30 to 30/30).
Registration on UNIMIA within the deadline is mandatory to take the examination.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) or [email protected] (for students with disability).
Registration on UNIMIA within the deadline is mandatory to take the examination.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) or [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS - University credits: 2
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 3
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 5
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 3
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 5
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Professors:
Consonni Gabriella, Contente Martina Letizia, Dallavalle Sabrina Maria Donatella, Parolini Marco, Rossini Laura
Shifts:
Turno
Professors:
Consonni Gabriella, Contente Martina Letizia, Dallavalle Sabrina Maria Donatella, Parolini Marco, Rossini LauraProfessor(s)
Reception:
to be agreed by prior appointment via e-mail
Reception:
By appointment to be arranged in advance by e.mail.
Office c/o DiSAA (Agronomy), Via Celoria 2, Milan, or via MS Teams.