News
13. November 2025, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Monitoring concept for plant protection products in Swiss soils
The Ecotox Centre is working with the National Soil Monitoring Programme (NABO) / Agroscope and EnviBioSoil on a concept for monitoring pesticide residues in Swiss agricultural soils. The project is part of the federal government's action plan for risk reduction and sustainable use of pesticides. Project manager and soil ecotoxicologist Mathieu Renaud reports on the progress made so far.
Read more11. November 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Sunscreen and bathing lakes: what happens to UV filters in Swiss lakes and experimental ponds?
UV filters from sunscreens have been detected in Swiss lakes in concentrations that in some cases exceed the provisional environmental quality criteria. In both lakes and experimental ponds, lipophilic UV filters such as octocrylene tend to accumulate at the water surface. Additional data on behaviour and toxicity in sediments is currently being collected in order to refine the quality criteria.
Read more07. November 2025, Topic:
Pesticide inputs into Swiss streams
A comprehensive screening of five Swiss watercourses detected 135 pesticides, many of which exceeded ecotoxicological quality criteria. At four locations, there was a high risk to aquatic organisms over a period of several weeks, mainly due to insecticides. Input via wastewater treatment plants also contributed to pesticide pollution.
Read more05. November 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology
Sediment worms investigate the effect of wastewater on stream health
Sediment worms can be used to assess the impact of pollutants on watercourses. New studies show that treated wastewater contaminates sediments and, in some locations, can also infiltrate groundwater. A significant improvement was achieved by upgrading the facilities under investigation with an additional treatment stage.
Read more31. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Panel Discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" 3.11., 19.00
On Monday, 3 November at 7 p.m., Cornelia Kienle will take part in the Körber-Foundation's panel discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" in Hamburg. Online participation is possible via livestream.
Read more14. October 2025, Topic:
Updated PFAS info sheet
The Ecotox Centre has updated its info sheet on PFAS, taking into account relevant developments and regulatory changes. The info sheet provides details on the occurrence of these substances, their toxicity and the legal situation.
Read more03. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment , Sediment Ecotoxicology
Webinar: Bioassays for assessing surface water quality, 28.10.2025, 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 also contributing to the second webinar on the use of effect-based methods for assessing suface water quality.
Read more02. October 2025, Topic:
Pesticides in Swiss streams: much remains to be done
Recent studies shed light on which pesticides are particularly relevant to the pollution of Swiss watercourses and where they come from.
Read more24. September 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Scientists from Japan at the Ecotox Centre
Miyu Moriya from the University of Shizuoka and Dr. Arisa Banno from the Research Institute for Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries in Osaka are working on advancing pesticide analysis using passive samplers.
Read more05. September 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology
Ecotox Centre in SRF Schweiz aktuell on the contamination of sediments
Rebecca Beauvais talks to SRF about the problem of contaminated sediments and the danger that the pollutants stored there can be remobilised again - for example during flooding or dredging.
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