News

24. January 2023, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

The Ecotox Centre visits the Canton of Vaud

The Ecotox Centre visits the Canton of Vaud

With tailor-made courses, the Ecotox Centre passes on its expertise to cantons that request it - as was the case last week with the canton of Vaud.

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20. December 2022, Topic: Risk Assessment , Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Federal Council adopts revised Water Protection Ordinance

Federal Council adopts revised Water Protection Ordinance

On 16 December 2022, the Federal Council approved the revised Water Protection Ordinance defining the criteria for when the authorisation of a pesticide must be reviewed. In this way, drinking water and surface waters will be better protected from pesticides.

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06. December 2022, Topic: Risk Assessment

Protecting surface waters and groundwater from new pollutants

Protecting surface waters and groundwater from new pollutants

The European Commission has proposed to increase the number of water pollutants that have to be strictly controlled in water bodies and groundwater. Numerous pesticides, including glyphosate, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids, some pharmaceuticals and hormones as well as PFAS are to be added to the list.

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25. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

How bioavailable are pollutants in tire abrasion?

How bioavailable are pollutants in tire abrasion?

Tire abrasion contains numerous organic pollutants. A new study has investigated the bioavailability of these substances to aquatic organisms.

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18. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology

Rodenticides in Swiss wildlife

Rodenticides in Swiss wildlife

Birds of prey and foxes in Switzerland are contaminated with highly toxic rodenticides: This is shown by first measurements of the Ecotox Centre. The active substances used to control the pests are difficult to degrade and accumulate in the food chain.

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18. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Tire wear particles - toxic for fish?

Tire wear particles - toxic for fish?

Experiments with gill cells and intestinal cells of rainbow trout show that the concentrations of tire wear particles found in the environment are not acutely toxic to fish. However, the chronic toxicity should be further investigated, as should the mechanism of action of the toxic oxidation product 6PPD-quinone.

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17. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Video: Sunscreen in the lake - a problem?

Video: Sunscreen in the lake - a problem?

The Ecotox Centre is currently investigating UV filters in Lake Geschiner: learn more in the video.

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16. November 2022, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology

Chironomids measure suspended matter quality in Lake Geneva

Chironomids measure suspended matter quality in Lake Geneva

The combination of bioassays and biomarkers of chironomids is a good method to measure suspended sediment quality. An application in Lake Geneva has shown that the suspended matter quality changes throughout the year. The particles can affect the health of chironomid larvae.

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10. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotox centre Webinar with Stéphane Pesce and Laure Mamy, 13. December 2022, 16:00-17:00

Ecotox centre Webinar with Stéphane Pesce and Laure Mamy, 13. December 2022, 16:00-17:00

The Ecotox Centre would like to invite you to a webinar with Dr. Stéphane Pesce and Dr. Laure Mamy (INRAE) on "Effects of plant protection products on biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services" on 13 December 2022 at 16:00.

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09. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology

New EU guidelines on sediment management

New EU guidelines on sediment management

Finally, guidelines have been published on how to manage sediments under the Water Framework Directive. The quantity and quality of sediment often has an important influence on the status of surface waters. The experts propose an approach for an integrated management of sediments that takes into account the needs of all users.

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