Pollution and bioremediation of ecosystems

This course aims to provide a better understanding of the main types of pollutants (organic vs. inorganic), their source(s), their fate in the environment and how they interact with living organisms (bioaccumulation, biotransformation, effects). The methods used in depollution and bioremediation will be discussed. Particular emphasis will be placed on the contribution of terrestrial and aquatic plants to phytoremediation, and on the role of micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi) in biodegradation, biotransformation or biosequestration mechanisms. This course will be illustrated by a number of case studies, covering examples of chronic and acute/accidental pollution of water, air and soil. In particular, the treatment of pollution linked to the mining, oil, plastics and phyto-pharmaceutical industries will be covered, as will the treatment of liquid effluents (wastewater, industrial effluents). A field trip to Saint-Laurent-Le-Minier will illustrate a current phytoremediation project on a former mining site.

1) acquire theoretical knowledge of the main types of pollutants (organic vs. mineral), their source(s), their fate in the environment and how they interact with living organisms, as well as existing approaches to pollution control and bioremediation;

2) know how to mobilize concepts and tools at the interface between different disciplines (ecology, organism biology, ecophysiology, microbiology, biochemistry, ecotoxicology) to solve environmental and management/protection problems for species and ecosystems;

3) understand and critically analyze scientific literature.

100% continuous assessment