Characteristics of the aquatic environment. The specificity of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Water resources in Poland. The diversity of aquatic ecosystems - characteristics of the main types of water sources, streams, rivers, estuaries, lakes and ponds. Abiotic factors in the waters: light conditions, temperature conditions, water movement. Water chemistry (gases, pH, salts, nutrients). Trophic types of waters. Environmental groups of aquatic organisms: plankton, nekton, benthos, periphyton, macrophytes, pleuston. Degradation of water in Poland and in other countries. Water quality systems. Contaminated water (basic concepts, causes, effects, the role of biocoenosis in shaping the quality of surface water). Major sources of pollutants to surface water. Degradation of surface water (vulnerability to degradation, the ecomorfological assessment of rivers). Eutrophication - the causes and ecological consequences. Non-trophic water threats. Water self-purification processes.
KNOWLEDGE:
EEP_W1 - functioning of biotic and abiotic elements of the environment (air, soil, water, plants and animals)
EEP_W2 - mechanisms and processes in the environment
SKILLS:
EEP_U1 - acquire, verify, evaluate and integrate environmental and geographical data from various sources
EEP_U2 - utilize obtained data for environmental and anthropogenic impact assessments
EEP_U3 - conduct multi-faceted analysis of natural environment conditions and processes
EEP_U4 - use proper methods and techniques in the field of processing information, statistical calculations and computer graphics in environmental protection and engineering as well as in water management
EEP_U7 - present a point of view on the recent advances in development of modern technologies in environmental engineering and protection, based on the knowledge gained from literature, lectures and study visits, being able also to provide scientific, social and ethical arguments
SOCIAL SKILLS:
EEP_K1 - apply obtained knowledge about the environment for engineering solutions
EEP_K2 - explain complex environmental issues with the context of their socio-economic impacts to the public