Assessment of water quality with biomarkers in brown trout

A comprehensive study on the assessment of water quality in Switzerland shows that chemical measurements and bioassays complement each other. While risks to fish were detected more sensitively with bioassays, chemical analysis was the more sensitive method for risks to invertebrates from pyrethroid insecticides. The Ecotox Centre proposes a bioassay battery for routine testing.

The Ecotox Centre proposes a battery of three bioassays to determine the quality of sediments and to complement chemical analysis. The test with ostracods reacts particularly sensitively and is suitable as a screening method for biological effects.