Sediment Ecotoxicology

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: Sediment Ecotoxicology , Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Do stormwater overflows in Lake Geneva contribute to sediment pollution?

Trough the discharge of untreated rainwater, surface waters can be contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants. A combination of chemical and biological studies has shown that these substances in Lake Geneva reach the sediments and lead to a shift towards more resistant species.

23. May 2017, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology , Aquatic Ecotoxicology

A new system for the biomonitoring of surface waters

Biotests with whole organisms that can be used in the field provide a direct link between environmental pollution and biological effects. The Ecotox Centre has developed a new system with chironomids that measures the contamination of suspended matter.

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.

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.

10. February 2017, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology

New report on measuring PCBs and dioxins in surface waters

This report evaluates the suitability of sediment analyses and of measurements with passive samplers in the water phase for localising PCB and dioxin sources. It is shown that PDMS passive samplers are well suited for this purpose.

20. January 2017, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology

Students learn about ecotoxicology

In which ways can earthworms assist us? What are bioassays used for? The Ecotox Centre answered these and other questions to high school pupils at the EPFL's Journées des gymnasiens.

29. November 2016, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology , Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Oligochaetes indicate sediment quality

Aquatic oligchaetes are well suited for the assessment of biological sediment quality. However, difficulties with their species determination inhibit their use as routine indicator organisms. A genetic species determination using genetic barcodes could change the situation and promote the application of the method.

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