ECT at International Symposium on Enchytraeidae

ECT contributes to the 12th International Symposium on Enchytraeidae (ISE 12, Tihany, Hungary, 27-29 June 2016)

J. Römbke et al.: Oligochaetes (Lumbricidae, Enchytraeidae) and litter decomposition at six forest sites in Germany and Portugal, differing in site and climate properties

New publications: Effects of ivermectin on the diversity and function of dung and soil fauna

The application of veterinary medical products to livestock can affect soil organisms in manure-amended fields and, especially, organisms colonising the dung of treated animals, thereby potentially delaying the degradation of dung on pastures. For this reason, the authorisation process for veterinary medical products in the European Union includes a requirement for higher-tier tests when adverse effects on dung organisms are observed in lower tier toxicity tests. An international research project was performed…

Publication on biosolids applied to agricultural land

Biosolids have well-documented crop and soil benefits similar to other sources of organic amendment, but there is environmental concern due to biosolids-associated pollutants. The present study investigated two field sites that had received biosolids at commercial-scale rates…

Review on microplastics in the environment

In the recently published review, information on sources (with a specific focus on personal care products) and fate of microplastic particles in the aquatic and terrestrial environment, and on their uptake and effects, mainly in aquatic organisms, is evaluated.

Microplastics in the environment originate from a variety of sources. First estimates indicate that abrasion and fragmentation of larger plastic items and materials containing synthetic polymers are likely to be most relevant.

Project report published on ‘Development of a test protocol to study the transformation of veterinary pharmaceuticals and biocides in liquid manure’

For veterinary medicinal products manure application onto agriculturally used soils is their main path of entry into the environment. Consequently, this path is considered as part of the environment risk assessment. Biocides, which are used for stable disinfection, might also enter the environment via liquid manure. So far, only regulatory guidance (EMA/CVMP/ERA/ 430327/2009) addresses this […]