MCB 425: Environmental Microbiology

 

 

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. explain the various definitions of environmental pollution;
2. identify types of environmental pollution;
3. discuss inorganic, organic and biological indices of pollution;
4. identify regulatory agencies involved in Pollution monitoring in Nigeria;
5. discuss the impact of urbanization on pollution;
6. explain impact assessment (Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Evaluation
Studies, Post Impact Assessment) and Microbiological aspects of impact assessment;
7. elucidate bioaccumulation (bioconcentration, biomagnification and depuration)
8. identify methods of sewage treatment;
9. explain membrane filtration and Multiple tube fermentation methods for estimating bacterial
populations in water; and
10. describe biochemical and Chemical Oxygen Demand, Waterborne diseases and transmission,
Total and Faecal Coliforms.

Course Contents
Impact Assessment (IA) of microbial contamination of soil, surface water, ground water and air
in relation to the deterioration of the environment. Legal frame work for impact assessment;
environmental impact assessment (EIA); post impact assessment (PIA); environmental evaluation
studies(EES). Environmental audits, environmental compliance monitoring reports; soil, air and
water pollution. Organic, inorganic pollutants in the environment; microbiology of aquatic,
terrestrial environments. Carbon trading; acute toxicity testing, bioaccumulation
(bioconcentration and biomagnification). Waste disposal (physical, chemical and biological
methods) and management (cradle to grave). Microbial indicators for inorganic and organic
pollution in water, methods of water and sewage treatment with emphasis on specific microorganisms involved. Techniques for estimation of microbial populations in water (Membrane
filtration and multiple tube fermentation techniques). Total and faecal coliform; disease
transmission by water. Biochemical and chemical oxygen demand.