News - 2022
20. December 2022, Topic: Risk Assessment , Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Federal Council adopts revised Water Protection Ordinance
On 16 December 2022, the Federal Council approved the revised Water Protection Ordinance defining the criteria for when the authorisation of a pesticide must be reviewed. In this way, drinking water and surface waters will be better protected from pesticides.
Read more06. December 2022, Topic: Risk Assessment
Protecting surface waters and groundwater from new pollutants
The European Commission has proposed to increase the number of water pollutants that have to be strictly controlled in water bodies and groundwater. Numerous pesticides, including glyphosate, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids, some pharmaceuticals and hormones as well as PFAS are to be added to the list.
Read more25. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
How bioavailable are pollutants in tire abrasion?
Tire abrasion contains numerous organic pollutants. A new study has investigated the bioavailability of these substances to aquatic organisms.
Read more18. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology
Rodenticides in Swiss wildlife
Birds of prey and foxes in Switzerland are contaminated with highly toxic rodenticides: This is shown by first measurements of the Ecotox Centre. The active substances used to control the pests are difficult to degrade and accumulate in the food chain.
Read more18. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Tire wear particles - toxic for fish?
Experiments with gill cells and intestinal cells of rainbow trout show that the concentrations of tire wear particles found in the environment are not acutely toxic to fish. However, the chronic toxicity should be further investigated, as should the mechanism of action of the toxic oxidation product 6PPD-quinone.
Read more17. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Video: Sunscreen in the lake - a problem?
The Ecotox Centre is currently investigating UV filters in Lake Geschiner: learn more in the video.
Read more16. November 2022, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology
Chironomids measure suspended matter quality in Lake Geneva
The combination of bioassays and biomarkers of chironomids is a good method to measure suspended sediment quality. An application in Lake Geneva has shown that the suspended matter quality changes throughout the year. The particles can affect the health of chironomid larvae.
Read more10. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotox centre Webinar with Stéphane Pesce and Laure Mamy, 13. December 2022, 16:00-17:00
The Ecotox Centre would like to invite you to a webinar with Dr. Stéphane Pesce and Dr. Laure Mamy (INRAE) on "Effects of plant protection products on biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services" on 13 December 2022 at 16:00.
Read more09. November 2022, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology
New EU guidelines on sediment management
Finally, guidelines have been published on how to manage sediments under the Water Framework Directive. The quantity and quality of sediment often has an important influence on the status of surface waters. The experts propose an approach for an integrated management of sediments that takes into account the needs of all users.
Read more31. October 2022, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Bioindicators and mixture toxicity for plant protection products
Selected bioindicators are to monitor the influence of PPPs on ecological functions and soil fertility for the Plant Protection Products Action Plan. In addition, mixtures of substances are to be assessed.
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