Learning Outcomes
It aims at: a) acquiring the knowledge of the structure and function of river ecosystems focusing on hydromorphological, physico-chemical and in particular on biological elements for assessing and monitoring the ecological quality of surface waters in accordance with the EU Directive (2000/60/EC) having as an environmental objective to protect water and achieve good water quality.b) the public awareness about the protection and integrated management of aquatic ecosystems of inland waters. c) the acquisition of competencies in field instrumentation and sampling, identification of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish, the use of biotic indices and specialized software for statistical analyses (Primer, Canoco). d) the development of their ability to access the online library of Aristotle University and the use of foreign and greek literature, editing, writing and presentating various relevant to the subject matters individually and / or in groups.
Course Content (Syllabus)
Introduction about pollution probems. The Water Framework Directive 2000/60 E.U. Geomorphological features and typology. Physical characteristics of water (light, temperature, discharge, current). Chemical components of water (O2, CO2, ions, pH, nutrients, sulfur, conductivity, TDS, TSS, salinity). Organisms (benthos, plankton, Waterfowl, higher plants), and methods of sampling. Food webs. Productivity. Pollution and Biomonitoring. Management. Anthropogenic influences on running waters. Monitoring. River self purification. Restoration. Case studies.
Laboratory exercises:
1. Determination of nutrients. 2. Identification of phytoplankton. 3. Identification of zooplankton. 4. Identification of benthic macroinvertebrates, 5. Use of biotic indices. 6. Identification of fish. 7. Statistical processing. 8. Preparation work for the assessment of the ecological quality of river and lake systems.
Outdoor exercises:
Sampling benthic macroinvertebrates and fish in river systems, recording hydromorphological, physical and chemical characteristics – pressures and habitat modification.