News
24. May 2018
Different approaches to assess water quality with bioassays
For the regulatory assessment of water quality with bioassays, uniform approaches are necessary. These may only use the EQS of the reference substance or include as many EQS of a substance class as possible.
Read more22. May 2018
Chironomids as PCB finders
Chironomid larvae were used to monitor the remediation of a site contaminated with PCB, both in the field under field conditions and in the laboratory under controlled conditions. Water quality improved significantly, but part of the contamination remained.
Read more22. May 2018
Soil organisms like it hot
The bait lamina test is a useful method to determine the soil quality in the field. The Ecotox Centre has examined the influence of soil moisture on the test results in more detail: This facilitates the interpretation of the method and brings the test one step closer to routine application.
Read more18. May 2018
Staff at the Ecotox Centre
We welcome two new employees, Janine Wong and Alan Bergmann. Welcome to the Ecotox Centre! And we wish Sophie Campiche every success in her new activities.
Read more18. May 2018
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
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
Ecotoxicology for ZHAW students
In March 2018, the Ecotox Centre has given its annual introduction to ecotoxicology to prospective biotechnologists.
Read more31. January 2018
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
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
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 more