News
18. May 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Trout measure the influence of pollutants
Chemicals in surface waters have effects on water organisms. The activation of biomarker genes in trout is a good measure of such effects under field conditions and can be used to assess water quality.
Read more05. April 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Bioassays for the assessment of water quality
Within the Modular Stepwise Procedure a concept has been developed for the overall assessment of rivers that are contaminated with waste water using ecotoxicological bioassays. The concept represents a first step towards an integrative assessment of water quality.
Read more29. March 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotoxicology for ZHAW students
In March 2018, the Ecotox Centre has given its annual introduction to ecotoxicology to prospective biotechnologists.
Read more31. January 2018, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Symposium "Environmental Monitoring with Bioassays" on 5./6. June 2018
The use of bioassays to assess water quality has many advantages and the acceptance of bioassays has increased in recent years. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, the Ecotox Centre organises a symposium on the topic.
Read more22. December 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Eawag supports introduction of effect-based environmental quality criteria
At the end of November, the Federal Council has sent the new risk-based required limits for biocides, plant protection products and other micro-pollutants within the Water Protection Ordinance in consultation. A new Eawag fact sheet shows why these values are meaningful and necessary.
Read more24. November 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Estrogens in surface waters - Screening and risk assessment for Europe
In the framework of an international project, European water samples were analysed for estrogens using various biological and chemical methods. Bioassays based on cell cultures were shown to be well suited to detect the substances that are to be monitored across Europe.
Read more24. November 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Immunotoxicity: an underestimated ecotoxicological effect of chemicals
Numerous substances influence the ability of wild animals to cope with pathogens. However, there are no established bioassays in ecotoxicology to screen environmental samples and chemicals for immunotoxic effects. The Ecotox Centre would like to improve this situation.
Read more24. November 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Info sheet on pyrethroides
Pyrethroids are among the most frequently used pesticides in the world. For this reason, the Ecotox Centre has published a new info sheet on the emissions, mechanism of action, toxicity and risk of the substances.
Read more23. November 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
How long to collect water samples?
If the measured concentration of a substance in surface waters exceeds its quality criterion, the water quality is assessed as poor. But over which time period should the water sample be collected and the concentration be averaged?
Read more21. November 2017, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Progress in the assessment of sediment quality
Together with eight cantons, the Ecotox Centre has conducted extensive field testing to investigate the comparability of different methods for sampling and sample preparation of sediments.
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