News - Aquatic Ecotoxicology

17. February 2026, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Webinar: Quality monitoring in surface waters, 26.2.2026, 15.00-16.30 Uhr

Webinar: Quality monitoring in surface waters, 26.2.2026, 15.00-16.30 Uhr

A series of webinars organised by the German Water Chemistry Society highlights the opportunities and possibilities of bioassays for assessing water quality. The Ecotox Centre is hosting this webinar which was already offered in German last October.

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13. February 2026, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Webinar: Bioassays for drinking water assessment on 24.2.2026, 14.30-16.00

Webinar: Bioassays for drinking water assessment on 24.2.2026, 14.30-16.00

A series of webinars organised by the German Water Chemistry Society highlights the opportunities and possibilities of bioassays for assessing water quality. The Ecotox Centre is hosting the third webinar on the use of effect-based methods for testing of drinking water.

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11. February 2026, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotox Centre in SRF Kassensturz programme on drain cleaners

Ecotox Centre in SRF Kassensturz programme on drain cleaners

Cornelia Kienle advised SRF Kassensturz on the evaluation of drain cleaners. These products contain many aggressive substances.

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10. February 2026, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Rare earths pollute Zurich's waters

Rare earths pollute Zurich's waters

An investigation in the canton of Zurich has shown that certain rare earth elements can enter bodies of water via wastewater treatment plants in concentrations that pose a risk to aquatic organisms. These elements are gadolinium, which comes from contrast agents used in healthcare facilities, as well as lanthanum and cerium, which are used in a number of wastewater treatment plants to remove phosphorus.

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09. January 2026, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Podcast on PFAS in drinking water

Podcast on PFAS in drinking water

How do PFAS end up in the environment and in drinking water? And what can be done about it? Ecotox Centre scientist Alexandra Kroll and former cantonal chemist Kurt Seiler explain why limit values are not enough and where we need to start earlier.

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08. January 2026, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology

Safer receipts without bisphenols

Safer receipts without bisphenols

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new formula for thermal paper that is free of harmful bisphenols. According to toxicological studies conducted by the Ecotox Center, the wood-based substitutes used are significantly less problematic than traditional substances.

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11. November 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Sunscreen and bathing lakes: what happens to UV filters in Swiss lakes and experimental ponds?

Sunscreen and bathing lakes: what happens to UV filters in Swiss lakes and experimental ponds?

UV filters from sunscreens have been detected in Swiss lakes in concentrations that in some cases exceed the provisional environmental quality criteria. In both lakes and experimental ponds, lipophilic UV filters such as octocrylene tend to accumulate at the water surface. Additional data on behaviour and toxicity in sediments is currently being collected in order to refine the quality criteria.

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05. November 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology

Sediment worms investigate the effect of wastewater on stream health

Sediment worms investigate the effect of wastewater on stream health

Sediment worms can be used to assess the impact of pollutants on watercourses. New studies show that treated wastewater contaminates sediments and, in some locations, can also infiltrate groundwater. A significant improvement was achieved by upgrading the facilities under investigation with an additional treatment stage.

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31. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Panel Discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" 3.11., 19.00

Panel Discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" 3.11., 19.00

On Monday, 3 November at 7 p.m., Cornelia Kienle will take part in the Körber-Foundation's panel discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" in Hamburg. Online participation is possible via livestream.

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03. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment , Sediment Ecotoxicology

Webinar: Bioassays for assessing surface water quality, 28.10.2025, 14.30-16.00

Webinar: Bioassays for assessing surface water quality, 28.10.2025, 14.30-16.00

A new series of webinars organised by the German Water Chemistry Society highlights the opportunities and possibilities of bioassays for assessing water quality. The Ecotox Centre is also contributing to the second webinar on the use of effect-based methods for assessing suface water quality.

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