News
20. December 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Webinar: Bioassays for wastewater assessment on 18.2.2025, 14.30-16.00
A new series of webinars organised by the German Water Chemistry Society highlights the opportunities and possibilities of bioassays for assessing water quality. The Ecotox Centre is hosting the first webinar on the use of effect-based methods for wastewater testing.
Read more04. December 2024, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Bioindicators and soil reference values for plant protection products
The Ecotox Centre is working on a comprehensive concept for monitoring pesticide residues in agricultural soils. As part of the project, we have developed a method for deriving ecotoxicological soil reference values - and have already applied it to two active substances - and have also compiled a toolbox with bioindicators for monitoring the effects of plant protection products.
Read more20. November 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Sediment quality in Swiss streams - application of the new assessment strategy
The Ecotox Centre has assessed the sediment quality in 18 streams in Switzerland on the basis of 20 prioritised pollutants. In each stream, at least one substance occurred in concentrations above the sediment quality criteria. This was the first time that the new assessment strategy was applied on a large scale.
Read more19. November 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
How can the positive effects of the WWTP upgrade be measured?
Numerous biotests and biomarkers are used to assess the impact of the upgrade of the Falkenstein WWTP on the water quality of the Dünnern. The quality of communities and the occurrence of antibiotic resistance are also taken into account. The measurements prior to the upgrade show clear differences between the water quality upstream and downstream of the WWTP outflow. Significant improvements are expected as a result of the upgrade.
Read more18. November 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Training course for tire industry
Last week, we welcomed around 20 representatives of leading tire manufacturers for a two-day training course on ecotoxicology.
Read more15. November 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology
Toxic effects of tire abrasion
Tire particles contain substances that have potentially estrogenic, genotoxic and bacteriotoxic effects and can be released into the environment. Using an innovative method, the researchers were able to show which substances contribute to these effects.
Read more05. November 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Sun creams and bathing lakes
In a new project, we are investigating the significance of UV filters from sun creams for the health of Swiss bathing lakes. We have already carried out bathing tests in test ponds to track the path of the substances from the skin into the water and sediment.
Read more29. October 2024, Topic: Risk Assessment , Soil Ecotoxicology
Climate change and pesticides
Ecotox Centre alumnus Micha Wehrli has just published his Master's thesis on the influence of heat stress on the risk assessment of pesticides, which shows that adjustments are needed here - congratulations Micha!
Read more15. October 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Info sheet on washing and cleaning agents
Washing and cleaning agents are regularly used in every household and thus end up in waste water and ultimately in sewage treatment plants. But which of the substances they contain are dangerous for the environment? And how can we protect it as well as possible - despite the use of detergents and cleaning agents? A new info sheet gives more details.
Read more08. October 2024, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
International workshop on sampling frequency
On 19-20 September 2024, the Ecotox Centre organised a workshop of the EU Working Group Chemicals on the topic of sampling frequency. The aim of this working group is to develop a guideline on the sampling frequency for priority substances whose entry into the environment can fluctuate greatly over time.
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