Also: arsenic, revitalizations, pandemics, Diclofenac and much more
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Mobile system measures water quality in real time
Thanks to the new instrument MS2field, water pollutants can be measured automatically over a period of weeks – directly in the field, rather than in the laboratory. The mobile mass spectrometer is housed in a trailer and can be remotely controlled by smartphone. Read more
Millions of people drink groundwater contaminated with arsenic
Many experts describe the health effects of drinking water contaminated with toxic concentrations of arsenic as the greatest mass poisoning in human history. A risk model now shows that up to 220 million people worldwide could be affected. Read more
Restoring rivers and streams: Effective outcome evaluation
In many places in Switzerland, rivers, streams and lakeshores are being restored. The new practice documentation “Evaluating the outcome of restoration projects” by Eawag and FOEN provides the basis for joint learning across project boundaries. Read more
Tracking the course of the pandemic in wastewater
The novel coronavirus has been successfully detected in wastewater. Researchers at EPFL and Eawag are now working to optimise the method. Read more
Conversion product of painkiller more toxic than expected
The active ingredient diclofenac contained in various painkillers is hardly degraded at all in wastewater treatment plants and therefore accumulates in surface waters. There, amphipods convert diclofenac into a more toxic substance, namely diclofenac methyl ester. Read more
Scientists often assume for their studies and field experiments that lakes are horizontally homogeneous and dominated by vertical transport. Horizontal processes are often excluded, although they play a key role in all aquatic systems on earth. Tomy Doda, a doctoral student at Eawag, has examined lateral transport from the shore by taking measurements with colleagues over almost a year on Rotsee (LU). The data are intended to contribute to a better understanding of the lake ecosystem in the future. Click here for the video.
«We need to study biodiversity in a more holistic way» To mark this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May, professor Catherine Graham and professor Florian Altermatt explain in an interview why it is important in biodiversity research to look beyond systemic boundaries.
ABCD conferences The ABCD criteria should shape the scientific conferences of the future: all continents, balanced gender, low carbon transport and diverse backgrounds.
Urban water management: Ways to a flexible future How can water supply and wastewater disposal be provided flexibly and efficiently, especially in rapidly growing cities? A new research agenda formulates open questions from a technical, social and transformative perspective. It stresses the importance of transdisciplinary cooperation.
Due to the Covid-19 all events requiring physical presence at Eawag are postponed or cancelled until further notice. Some events will still be run via virtual channels, see agenda.
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