News

10. May 2019, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Do EQS protect against the spread of antibiotic resistance?

Do EQS protect against the spread of antibiotic resistance?

The environmental pollution with antibiotics can lead to more resistance against these substances. However, the generation of antibiotic resistance is not taken into account when deriving environmental quality criteria (EQS). For eight substances, the Ecotox Centre has investigated whether the available EQS also protect against the development of antibiotic resistance in surface waters.

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25. April 2019, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Two new faces at the Ecotox Centre

Two new faces at the Ecotox Centre

We welcome our new colleagues Anne-Sophie Voisin and Alexandra Kroll!

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02. April 2019, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

High risks due to pesticide mixtures

High risks due to pesticide mixtures

The use of organic pesticides leads to high ecotoxicological risks for plants, invertebrates and vertebrates - this has been confirmed by a comprehensive study in five creeks. The results from biotests and bioindicators confirm the results from chemical analysis.

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07. March 2019, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology

eDNA Day on June 3, 2019 in Geneva - Save the Date!

eDNA Day on June 3, 2019 in Geneva - Save the Date!

Quickly and cost-effectively determine all species in a water or sediment sample and thus assess environmental quality: such is the promise of studies with environmental DNA (eDNA).

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15. January 2019, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Info sheet on mercury

Info sheet on mercury

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that naturally occurs in the environment, but also is released by humans. A new info sheet provides information on the presence of mercury, its toxicity and the legal situation.

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18. December 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology

Genetic monitoring of surface waters: new video

Genetic monitoring of surface waters: new video

In the Interreg project SYNAQUA project partners from Switzerland and France seek to establish genetic methods for the biomonitoring of surface waters.

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11. December 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Video tutorial on the combined algae assay

Video tutorial on the combined algae assay

A video tutorial shows the preparation and execution of the combined algae assay for the detection of herbicides.

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30. October 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

How to detect endocrine disruptors in a cantonal lab

How to detect endocrine disruptors in a cantonal lab

AWEL's Water Protection Laboratory is currently setting up a system to control the elimination of micropollutants in Zurich's wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). To this end, the authorities want to obtain an overview of the occurrence of estrogenic compounds .

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26. October 2018, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology

Soil  ecotoxicology in Switzerland: Where are we and where do we want to go?

Soil ecotoxicology in Switzerland: Where are we and where do we want to go?

Ecotoxicological tests help to assess soil quality. At a workshop in June, the Ecotoxic Centre brought together important partners to inform about the state of knowledge and to discuss the future of soil ecotoxicology in Switzerland.

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26. October 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Environmental monitoring with bioassays

Environmental monitoring with bioassays

Bioassays as methods for the assessment of water and sediment quality are gaining more and more acceptance. In June 2018, more than 90 experts from public authorities, the private sector and science accepted the invitation of the Ecotox Centre to a two-day symposium on this topic.

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