Our research activities range from rather basic to applied aspects in different areas of ecotoxicology and ecology. We investigate cause-effect relationships of chemicals at various levels of biological organisation, ranging from molecular structures, physiological functions, individuals, and populations to (model) ecosystems. In more applied research projects, we improve existing or develop new testing methods to assess potential impacts of chemicals in the environment. Another field of our research relates to the improvement of existing environmental risk assessment schemes and the provision of scientific background knowledge to improve regulatory decisions. In addition, we participate in ecological studies in the context of nature protection and soil biological monitoring activities, in Europe and in North and South America (especially Brazil).
We frequently operate as partner or coordinator of national and international consortia. Our partners in research are universities, national and international research institutions, governmental organisations and companies from the chemical industry.
We actively participate in the Society of Environmental Toxicology (SETAC) and in the “Fachgruppe Umweltchemie und Ökotoxikologie der Gesellschaft für Deutsche Chemiker (GDCh)” [Working Group Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of the German Chemical Society (GDCh)].