News
07. November 2025, Topic:
Pesticide inputs into Swiss streams
A comprehensive screening of five Swiss watercourses detected 135 pesticides, many of which exceeded ecotoxicological quality criteria. At four locations, there was a high risk to aquatic organisms over a period of several weeks, mainly due to insecticides. Input via wastewater treatment plants also contributed to pesticide pollution.
Read more05. November 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology
Sediment worms investigate the effect of wastewater on stream health
Sediment worms can be used to assess the effect of pollutants on watercourses. Recent studies show that treated wastewater contaminates sediments and, in some locations, can also infiltrate the groundwater. A significant improvement was achieved by upgrading the studies wastewater treatment plants with an additional treatment stage.
Read more31. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
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.
Read more14. October 2025, Topic:
Updated PFAS info sheet
The Ecotox Centre has updated its info sheet on PFAS, taking into account relevant developments and regulatory changes. The info sheet provides details on the occurrence of these substances, their toxicity and the legal situation.
Read more03. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment , Sediment Ecotoxicology
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.
Read more02. October 2025, Topic:
Pesticides in Swiss streams: much remains to be done
Recent studies shed light on which pesticides are particularly relevant to the pollution of Swiss watercourses and where they come from.
Read more24. September 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Scientists from Japan at the Ecotox Centre
Miyu Moriya from the University of Shizuoka and Dr. Arisa Banno from the Research Institute for Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries in Osaka are working on advancing pesticide analysis using passive samplers.
Read more05. September 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology
Ecotox Centre in SRF Schweiz aktuell on the contamination of sediments
Rebecca Beauvais talks to SRF about the problem of contaminated sediments and the danger that the pollutants stored there can be remobilised again - for example during flooding or dredging.
Read more27. August 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Dialogue Day 2025 in Bern
During a dialogue day, the Ecotox Centre presented its current projects and exchanged ideas with stakeholders from various fields.
Read more20. August 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotox Centre in RTS A Bon Entendeur on tire residues
Every year, more than 10,000 tonnes of tire abrasion are generated in Switzerland, containing potentially problematic substances. Some of these compounds can end up in fruit or vegetables – a new environmental problem that raises important questions for health and ecosystems.
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