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5th SETAC World Congress
3 - 7 August 2008
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney Australia
Protecting our Global Environment
Short Courses
Short Course Venue Details and Information - Click Here
Crossroads of physics and the environment: nanomaterial fundamentals and tools for research
(Nanomaterial-fundamentals and tools)
Instructors: Jeff Steevens (U.S. Army ERDC) and Stephen Klaine (Clemson University)
Contacts: Jeffery.A.Steevens@erdc.usace.army.mil and sklaine@clemson.edu
| Course length: half day Date: Sunday 3 August 2008 Time: 0830 - 1230 Price: A$280 |
Abstract
Engineered nanomaterials offer great promise in the development of new technologies because of their unique characteristics which include size, shape, surface area, electronic properties, surface reactivity, functionalization, solubility and aggregation state. However, these unique characteristics also raise concerns regarding their biological effects to humans and ecological receptors. The most appropriate approach for characterizing the dose of engineered nanomaterials in ecotoxicological studies has not been determined. There are a wide variety of tools currently available to characterize the morphology, surface chemistry and composition. To gain a better understanding of the environmental fate, transport and risks of these nanomaterials, environmental scientists will require a wide range of analytical tools and techniques.
Course objectives
The objectives of this course are to:
- provide a basic understanding of nanomaterial physics, chemistry and synthesis;
- describe tools for material characterization; and
- provide guidance for the safe handling and use of nanomaterials.
The second half of the course will include discussions regarding the challenges in nanomaterials environmental research and risk assessment. Breakout groups will include: nanomaterial analysis; aquatic systems; terrestrial systems; biochemical and molecular mechanisms; and environmental risk assessment. Following the facilitated group discussion, the workgroups will share the results of their discussion in a synthesis/synopsis of the workgroup discussions.
Higher-tier aquatic risk assessment of pesticides and biocides: tools and scientific background
(Aquatic risk assessment of pesticides & biocides)
Lead instructor: Dr. Paul Van den Brink, Centre for Water and Climate, The Netherlands
Contact: Paul.vandenbrink@wur.nl
Additional Instructors: TBA
| Course length: full day Date: Sunday 3 August 2008 Time: 0830 - 1630 Price: $520 |
Abstract
Within the context of EU directives 91/414/EEC and 98/8/EC, potential ecological risks of pesticides and biocides to water organisms may be assessed through a tiered testing system. Standardised tests with agreed endpoints are used to satisfy data requirements at lower assessment tiers. Since many compounds do not pass the first tier, registrants need to supply additional data for a more refined risk assessment. Recently, several methods of refined risk assessment were proposed by the guidance document on Higher-tier Aquatic Risk Assessment for Pesticides (HARAP). The implementation of these methods, however, is a difficult process, due to the complexity of models and concepts used, differences in risk perception between stake-holders, and because few comparative studies are published that evaluate the validity of these methods. The short course will give an overview of the role of higher-tier aquatic risk assessment procedures for pesticide and biocide registration. Relevant tools will be presented and demonstrated, and their scientific background will be discussed.
Course objectives
The short course introduces the participants into the current way of thinking in the field of ecological risk assessment for pesticide/biocide registration at EU level, with reference to the ecological impact of these chemicals in surface waters.
The short course will consist of lectures and a case study. At the end of the short course participants will have:
- an overview of current regulatory framework and approaches in the EU for risk assessment of pesticides/biocides in aquatic ecosystems; and
- increased their skills in performing and interpreting aquatic higher-tier tests for regulatory purposes.
Using small-bodied fish species in environmental effects monitoring: Size doesn’t always matter.
(Using fish in environmental monitoring)
Lead Instructor: Kelly Munkittrick (Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick)
Contact: krm@unbsj.ca
Additional instructors: Michelle Gray (Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick), Sandra Brasfield (Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center), Mark McMaster National Water Research Institute and Cam Portt (C. Portt & Associates).
| Course length: half day Date: Sunday 3 August 2008 Times: 1300 - 1700 Price: A$280 |
Abstract
While many jurisdictions use community level monitoring for fish, Canadian Federal regulations focus on population-level indicators. Over the past 15 years, the emphasis on species selection has moved towards using small-bodied fish species (maximum length <15 cm) because of their smaller home range (usually) and higher abundance, especially in smaller receivers or where exposure to point source effluents and residency is important. Reluctance to using these species for monitoring and research studies is usually related to the lack of general biology and information. Some simple collections can provide a wealth of information, and this presentation will discuss data examination techniques that can provide insight into critical life history characteristics and provide advice on the development of evaluation criteria for fish species to be used for environmental monitoring. Critical issues for evaluating species include such factors as mobility, longevity, reproductive strategies, growth rates and feeding preferences, which are largely unknown for most species. In this course we will discuss a variety of topics related to the use of small-bodied fish in EEM and other environmental monitoring applications, from the choice of species, to considerations related to collection methods and timing, to data analysis and reporting.
Course objectives
To give an overview of fish population assessment methodologies using small-bodied fish species. This methodology is a requirement for the Canadian Environmental Effects Monitoring program, a mandatory cyclical industry-funded monitoring program, but the methodology is widely used in Canadian research and would be of interest to an international audience, especially where monitoring and research typically operates at a community level. We have previously given the course at a SETAC meeting in New Zealand, at SETAC North American, the Canadian Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, and to international groups in Chile and Uruguay. The course has been well- received.
Predicting the toxicity of metals to aquatic organisms: an introduction to the biotic ligand model
(An introduction to the biotic ligand model)
Lead Instructor: Ray Arnold (Copper Development Association Inc.)
Contact: RArnold@cda.copper.org
Additional instructor: Bob Santore (HydroQual, Inc.)
| Course length: full day Date: Sunday 3 August 2008 Time: 0830 - 1630 Price: $520 |
Abstract
Water quality criteria (WQC) for metals have been developed to protect the integrity of aquatic systems. However, tests used to develop WQC were performed in laboratory waters that often are not representative of natural waters. Water effect ratio (WER) tests account for the effects of substances that alter the toxicity of metals in natural waters but can be costly and time consuming. The biotic ligand model (BLM), a computationally efficient alternative to conducting WER tests, has been developed. The BLM may assist in developing technically defensible site-specific criteria, waste load allocations, and ecological risk assessments. It is intended to promote more focused and efficient uses of resources in the regulation and control of metals and the protection of the environment. The BLM is under review by regulatory agencies and is being considered for use in refining water quality criteria in the United States and elsewhere.
Course objectives
This course provides an introduction, background and rationale for the BLM, a description of its applications and case examples. The course will cover special considerations, data needs and data quality objectives, and model demonstrations. Demonstrations will be brief scenarios using hypothetical data sets and will cover model navigation, data input, and model outputs. The attendee will learn about metal toxicity, factors that alter metal acute toxicity, metal water quality criteria development, sites and modes of action of metals, metal speciation, ligands, toxicity modelling and applications of the biotic ligand model.
Practical concepts and tools for discerning cause and risk in the presence of high uncertainty
(Concepts and tools for discerning cause/risks)
Lead Instructors: Michael C Newman (Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences) and Kenneth Leung (The University of Hong Kong)
Contacts: newman@vims.edu and kmyleung@hkucc.hku.hk
| Course length: half day Date: Sunday 3 August 2008 Time: 1300 - 1700 Price: A$280 |
Abstract
Concepts and quantitative tools are explored for determining the relative plausibility of candidate causes of an adverse effect, the associated level of risk, and the best way to communicate risk assessment conclusions. With a strong emphasis on practicality, the instructors draw theory and technique from the extremely diverse disciplines of cognitive psychology, decision making theory, expert elicitation methods, statistical testing theory, Bayesian inference and belief networks, and innovation diffusion theory. The overarching goal is optimizing risk assessment, decision making, and communication in the presence of high uncertainty.
Ecological risk assessors and decision makers unintentionally incorporate uncertainty in their activities by drawing solely from conventional techniques. Codified approaches enhance the ecological risk assessment/decision making process only if they remain open to powerful, applicable concepts and techniques from other disciplines. In this short course, decision making errors and ways of minimizing their influence will be discussed based on well-established cognitive psychology and group decision making concepts. Pervasive statistical errors and their remedies will be explored based on emerging trends in statistical applications in health science, ecology, and socioeconomics. Simple Bayesian tools will be emphasized using risk assessment-based examples. Finally, powerful diffusion theory-based techniques from sociology will be illustrated for communicating risk using the community-based risk assessment framework.
Course objectives
To expose the environmental scientists to well-established techniques from diverse fields which are directly useful for environmental risk assessment, decision making, and communication. Practical and quantitative methods are emphasized.
Environmental forensics: theory and practical applications
(Environmental forensics)
Lead Instructors: Robert Morrison (DPRA Inc) and Zhendi Wang (Environmental Canada)
Contacts: Robert.Morrison@DPRA.com and zhendi.wang@ec.gc.ca
Additional instructors: Dr Rai Kookana (CSIRO Land and Water) and Dr. Mike McLaughlin (CSIRO Land and Water)
| Course length: full day Date: Sunday 3 August 2008 Time: 0830 - 1630 Price: $520 |
Abstract
This one day workshop is designed to share and promote practical environmental forensic techniques throughout the international community. The workshop will include mature and evolving environmental forensic tools that are primarily used to identify the source and age of a contaminant release in addition to providing insight regarding liability. The theoretical and applied use of forensic techniques including isotopic analysis, advanced analytical techniques and statistical approaches used for contaminants such as PCBs, chlorinated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons are emphasized. Case studies illustrating the practical use of these techniques are included in each presentation.
Course objectives
Provide a broad perspective of the various environmental forensic techniques (soil microbial forensics, isotopic analysis, advanced analytical tools, statistical analysis of environmental data) for contaminants (petroleum hydrocarbons, PCBs, dioxins, chlorinated solvents) that are of greatest interest/challenge to the international environmental community.
Gene expression, proteomics and microarrays and their respective informatic approaches to address ecotoxicological issues
(Gene expression, proteomics and microarrays)
Lead Instructors: Adam Biales (EPA) and Karlijn van der ven (University of Antwerp)
Contacts: biales.adam@epa.gov and karlijn.vanderven@ua.ac.be
Additional instructors: Jim Lazorchak (EPA) and Wim De Coen (University of Antwerp)
| Course length: full day Date: Sunday 3 August 2008 Time: 0830 - 1630 Price: $520 |
Abstract
Molecular methods are being used to address emerging contaminants of concern in aquatic ecosystems such as endocrine disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals. These compounds may enter aquatic systems from a variety of sources, e.g. pesticide runoff from agriculture, pharmaceuticals used in animal operations, human pharmaceuticals passing through sewage treatment facilities, and various industrial sources. New technologies focusing on molecular responses such as changes in gene and protein expression levels are being used to provide an important link between immediate environmental exposure and long term biological, community and population effects. Concomitant, with these technical advances are new informatic approaches which enable more complete and significant data interpretation. This session will describe the technical and biological background for the most commonly used molecular methods such as Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR), microarrays and protein two-dimensional protein analysis. We will also present the latest informatics approaches for dealing with the large amount of data generated by these methods. Finally, we will discuss how data resulting from these methods may be integrated into water quality programs (e.g., ambient water quality monitoring) and may be used to identify chemical modes of action.
Course objectives
- Explanation of the central dogma of biology
- Toxicogenomics - definition
- Expression based technology overview
- Suppressive subtractive hybridization
- Microarrays
- Quantitative PCR
- Proteomics (2 dimensional electrophoresis)
- Bioinformatics
- Potential regulatory uses for genomic tools
- Toxicogenomics from an academic perspective
- Frequently asked questions - panel discussion
Registration
To register for a Short Course please complete the Short Course Registration page while you are registering for the Congress. If you would like to attend one of the above Short Courses but are not planning to attend the SETAC Congress please click here to e-mail the Congress Managers.