Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the students will acquire: a) knowledge on the structure and function of lake and river ecosystems focusing on hydromorphological, physico-chemical and in particular on biological elements, b) will get familiar with the use of EU Directive (2000/60/EC) for the assessment and monitoring of the ecological quality of surface waters, having as an environmental objective to protect water and achieve good water quality, c) a comprehensive overview of the main threats the inland aquatic ecosystems are facing and the measurements taken for their protection and integrated management, d) knowledge on the use of biotic indices and specialized software for statistical analyses (Primer, Canoco), e) the ability to access the online library of Aristotle University and the use of foreign and Greek literature and write and present a project.
Course Content (Syllabus)
The crisis of freshwater ecosystems, challenges, water resources under pressure, environmental risks, governance, the Water Framework Directive (purpose, articles and main annexes, monitoring, quality elements, sampling and standards of monitoring, types of water bodies, typology, reference conditions, ecological status, ecological potential, chemical status), hydrology and ecology of running waters (water physical and chemical properties, major ions, nutrients, freshwater biota), anthropogenic influence, hydromorphology and water quality (types and sources of pollution, organic pollution, toxic chemicals, dams, canalization and channelization), monitoring (sampling and analysis, biological indicators, modeling, intercalibration), river self-purification (physical, chemical, biological processes), restoration, case studies.
Lab: Special project (working individually or in groups), project writing and presentation