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CNT-based nanoporous membranes for treatment of wastewater and process waters

CNT-based nanoporous membranes with high flux for energy-efficient treatment of wastewater and process waters from natural gas and crude oil processing industries

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) represent an important group in the class of carbon-based nanomaterials. Their physical characteristics make them highly suitable for use in filtration methods, and lab-scaled applications have been very promising. However, large-scale CNT-based nanoporous membranes for application in industrial processes are not yet available. The objective of the present project is the development […]

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Adaptation of the current earthworm field study guideline

Adaptation of the current earthworm field study guideline to harmonise field testing and risk evaluation for earthworms

This project has three aims: (1) to compile and critically evaluate standardised earthworm field studies in order to optimise the current test design, (2) to perform a pilot earthworm field study following the improved test design, and (3) to prepare an OECD draft guidance document. After having discussed different design options within the OECD-GSIG expert […]

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Development of an ecotoxicological assessment concept for contaminants based on their bioavailability in soils with different filter und buffer properties

Development of an ecotoxicological assessment concept for contaminants based on their bioavailability in soils

The German Soil Protection Ordinance defines precautionary values for seven metals/metalloids which, if exceeded, indicate that concern for a harmful soil change exists. All precautionary values given in the German Soil Protection Ordinance are based on total concentrations (aqua regia extraction). However, total metal/metalloid concentrations do not represent the actual exposure of soil organisms to […]

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Development and standardisation of an ecotoxicological test method for the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants

Prior to releasing a genetically modified plant (GMP) into the environment and placing it on the market in the European Union (EU), an environmental risk assessment (ERA) according to EU Directive 2001/18/EC has to be performed. Current testing of the effects of GMPs on non-target organisms is mainly based on ecotoxicological test methods that were […]

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GBIF Information System Soil Zoology. Coordination of national and international assessment for the organism groups Lumbricidae and Enchytraeidae (Edaphobase II)

In this joint research project, ECT is responsible for the improvement of existing and the development of new methodological standards regarding collection, storage and usage of data in the German central data base on soil biology, Edaphobase. Besides taxonomy and biogeography the functional role of soil organisms (e.g. via gathering traits of at least the […]

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Improved strategy to assess chemical persistence at the water-sediment interface

The environmental fate of a compound is determined by transformation and distribution processes, which are strongly dependent on the specific environmental conditions. Biodegradability of chemicals in different environmental compartments is one of the major determinants of their environmental fate and therefore plays a crucial role in regulatory decision-making. Simulation studies according to OECD 308 (aquatic […]

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Transformation of veterinary pharmaceuticals and biocides in liquid manure

Veterinary medicinal products administered to animals are excreted with urine and faeces. For animals housed in stables, the resulting manure is collected and stored before being spread onto agricultural land. Disinfection products used to sanitize stables are also transferred into the manure. Therefore, the spreading of manure is an important pathway of introducing veterinary medicines, […]

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iPiE logo

Intelligence-led Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (iPiE)

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of medicines for human use can be released to the environment during the manufacturing process, following use by patients or when unused medicines are disposed of in an incorrect manner. As APIs are biologically active compounds, concerns have been raised about the potential effects of APIs in the environment on human […]

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Comparison of the environmental properties of parasiticidesK. Duis

Comparison of the environmental properties of parasiticides and harmonisation of the basis for environmental assessment at the EU level

Avermectin and milbemycin parasiticides have a high toxicity to non-target organisms, are often persistent and may have a potential to bioaccumulate. The present project contributes to filling gaps in the database for a complete environmental risk assessment of these parasiticides. In addition, risk management strategies for parasiticides used in pasture animals were discussed. For ivermectin […]

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Necessity of testing biocidal products and their eluates within the authorisation process aiming at an adequate environmental evaluation of mixtures

In the authorisation process of biocidal products, the joint effects of the product components (active substances and relevant additives) shall be taken into account in the environmental risk assessment according to the relevant regulatory guidance. The concept of concentration addition (CA) is the proposed default model for this assessment. Open questions in this context are […]

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