Risk Assessment

30. May 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotoxicological risks in small streams are high

A comprehensive monitoring study in small Swiss streams shows that these are often heavily contaminated with plant protection products. The ecotoxicological risk due to the pollutant mixtures was high at four of the five examined sites and the water quality therefore considered to be bad. Due to the long-term exposure, there were no time for recovery for the water organisms.

30. May 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Priorisation of pollutants for sediment monitoring in Switzerland

The Ecotox Centre has prioritised organic pollutants for sediment monitoring. The resulting list provides a basis for the sediment module of the Modular Stepwise Procedure.

23. May 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Aquatic fungi - a neglected class

Aquatic fungi degrade organic material and thereby play a key role in the food web of freshwater ecosystems. However, the organisms are not considered in the risk assessment of fungicides. This should change, the ecotoxic center feels.

Visitors at the Ecotox Centre

In the last months, we have been able to welcome two visitors to the Ecotox Centre in Lausanne: Dr. Leire Méndez-Fernández of the University of the Basque Country in Spain and Stéphane Pesce of the National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture (irstea) in France.

04. April 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Persistently high pesticide levels found in small streams

Small watercourses are contaminated with large numbers of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. A new study shows that the legal requirements specified for water quality are not met in any of the five Swiss streams investigated. Indeed, thresholds for acute toxicity to aquatic organisms were also exceeded.

Info sheet on the evaluation of glyphosate

A new info sheet provides information on the (eco)toxicological evaluation of glyphosate and explains how the differences in the evaluation by various organisations come about.

22. November 2016, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Neonicotinoids - harmful to soil organisms?

The neonicotinoids imidacloprid and clothianidin were detected in soil of sugar beet, wheat and corn fields as well as in soil of ecological compensation areas. The toxicity of the substances to the beneficial springtail was determined. It was shown that the measured concentrations represent a potential risk for springtail health.

22. November 2016, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Risk assessment of transformation products of pharmaceuticals

Not only pharmaceuticals but also their transformation products may pollute our surface waters. However, the assessment of their ecotoxicological risk is difficult because data on their ecotoxicity are often missing. In a case study, the Ecotox Centre compares the existing assessment methods.

20. November 2016, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment