Physicochemical processes of agro-ecosystems

1. Agroecosystem, General concepts, Food relationships, Accumulation- Biomagnification, Energy flow in ecosystems, The balance of species, Classification of Agroecosystems, Ecological functions, Differences between natural and agro-ecosystems

2. The habitats of life: air, land and water, Biogeochemical cycles: Water cycle, Hydrogen cycle, Carbon cycle, Oxygen cycle

3. Nitrogen cycle, Sulfur cycle, Phosphorus cycle, Iron cycle, Interdependencies between the cycles

4. Natural waters: types and composition, Interactions of water with air and sediments

5. Physicochemical processes in aquatic systems

6. Physical removal and transport of species in aquatic systems through chemical and physical processes

7. Atmosphere: Chemistry of processes, Soil: Characteristics of soils, Classification of soils, Humic substances, Decomposition of organic substances adsorbed on the soil

8. Environmental pollution: Pollution of atmospheric air, water and soil, Types of pollutants with emphasis on agrochemicals and sources of pollution

9. Transport and distribution of pollutants in groundwater and surface water – Degradation/transformation processes

10. Transport and distribution of pollutants in air and soil - Degradation /transformation processes

11. Transformation of Contaminants: Generation of by-products/metabolites

12. Effects of pollutants on the biosphere: biodegradation, toxicity, risk assessment

13. Applications of techniques in the study of physicochemical processes