News
20. May 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Quality criteria at the Ecotox Centre - new values and substances, new complete list
Do you need to assess environmental concentrations of chemicals? The Ecotox Centre maintains an extensive database of environmental quality criteria (EQC) and other ecotoxicological threshold values, which we have now expanded to include new information.
Read more16. May 2025, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology
Earthworms avoid tire abrasion
Tire abrasion gets from the road into the adjacent soil and can affect the soil organisms living there. A new study shows that earthworms avoid soil that is heavily contaminated with tire particles. However, the particles had no negative effects on the survival and reproduction of the animals.
Read more15. May 2025, Topic:
Early detection for wastewater treatment plants
A combination of biological and chemical online monitoring was tested as an early warning system at a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The system is able to detect peak loads of micropollutants in treated wastewater and to recognise toxic pollutants in real time. It can therefore help to improve wastewater management.
Read more14. May 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotox Centre at EPFL - Interview with Christof Holliger
Christof Holliger, Professor of Environmental Biotechnology at EPFL, has been closely involved with the Ecotox Centre since it was founded in 2008, initially as part of the direction and the strategic steering committee and later as the representative of EPFL on the host institute council. He retired at the end of February 2025. Here he looks back.
Read more13. May 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Assessing the water quality in Lake Geneva
Bioassays are also an important complement to chemical analysis in lakes when it comes to determining water quality. The use of numerous bioassays in Lake Geneva shows that fish embryo tests are particularly sensitive. Reporter tests have also provided valuable information on water pollution.
Read more12. May 2025, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology
Replacement of peat in artificial soils and sediments
Last Tuesday, the Ecotox Centre hosted the kick-off meeting for the OECD project RePEAT, which seeks alternatives to peat as a source of organic matter in artificial soils and sediments.
Read more28. March 2025, Topic:
Standardisation for sediment test with gammarids
Chemicals that can accumulate in sediments must be tested for their toxicity to sediment organisms as part of the authorisation process. The Ecotox Centre is collaborating on the OECD standardisation of the sediment toxicity test with the amphipod Gammarus sp. which is endemic to European rivers.
Read more20. March 2025, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotoxicity of munitions contaminated soil
In areas used for military purposes, the soil can be contaminated with munitions and explosives, resulting in contaminated sites with potential impacts on the environment.
Read more06. February 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotox Centre in SRF Rundschau on the ecotoxicity of a controversial pesticide
The Ecotox Centre derives ecotoxicologically based limit values for plant protection products on behalf of the federal government, but only some of these values are subsequently anchored in the Water Protection Ordinance and are therefore legally binding.
Read more05. February 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotox Centre in SRF Kassensturz on oven cleaners
Marion Junghans supported SRF Kassensturz in the evaluation of oven sprays.
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