Science that matters

“Eawag is also a solutions institute”

Martin Ackermann has been director of Eawag since 1 January. Enough time to take stock and look ahead to the future direction of the Swiss aquatic research institute. To the interview

Foto: Andri Bryner

Fish diversity documented in Switzerland’s rivers

Foto: Joulia SA

In a survey of Swiss rivers and streams, more than 50 different fish  species were recorded. For the first time, more than one species was  also found in the case of smaller types of fish such as the bullhead. Read more

Tracing mine accidents with satellite data

Foto: Nico Mölg, Eawag

Mining repeatedly causes water pollutionThis is where the view from above can help: satellite data provides evidence on the origin and extent of such environmental disasters. Read more


Sensitive microorganisms in the stream benefit from forested banks

Foto: Joulia SA

A forest is crucial for life in streams, particularly in the catchment area and in the headwaters. Eawag researcher Rebecca Oester has quantified the extent of this influence of forests in the riparian zone and found a significant effect, particularly for sensitive species. Read more

Climate change and nutrient fluctuations disrupt networks in lakes

Foto: Nico Mölg, Eawag

Thanks to a unique data set from ten Swiss lakes, an international team of researchers led by Eawag has succeeded in reconstructing entire ecological plankton networks and determining how they respond to climate change and phosphate levels. Read more


Producing bioplastics from wastewater

Foto: Joulia SA

Wastewater treatment plants can do more than just wastewater treatment. In the future, they should also recover resources. One approach that researchers at Eawag are pursuing is the conversion of the organic carbon contained in wastewater into bioplastics with the help of bacteria. Read more

Forecast for accidents with nanomaterials

Foto: Nico Mölg, Eawag

Researchers have for the first time estimated how probable the accidental release of nanomaterials will be in the future. They based this on models from the nuclear industry. For a risk assessment, the results now have to be linked to information about the hazardous nature of the materials. Read more


Energy transition: Bodies of water in conflict between protection and use

Foto: Natacha Tofield-Pasche, EPFL

Where is there still untapped potential in the use of water bodies for energy generation and what are the associated risks for water systems? Read more

Decentralised water treatment: from motivation to implementation

Foto: Colette vom Berg, Eawag

A new “Theory of Change” shows which psychological factors influence the use of decentralised water treatment technologies and which measures can support their introduction. Read more






Swiss water research at the UN Summit in New York
The UN Water Conference took place from 22 to 24 March. In addition to Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Eawag researchers were also present. Together with partners, they presented a commitment that contributes to the Water Action Plan 2030. They also illustrated with projects how research approaches can be directly applied in practice through multilateral cooperation, for example the Water Flow Diagram. Read more







Foto: Christian Dinkel
Three new members of the Directorate
Martin Ackermann has been head of Eawag since January. At his request, the ETH Board has now appointed three new members to the Directorate. Lenny Winkel, Florian Altermatt and Christian Stamm, who now becomes deputy director. Read more


Grafik: Shutterstock
Pre-order the Annual Report 2022
In the annual report, we report on  what has moved Eawag in 2022. The review will be available as a PDF on the Eawag  web from the beginning of May. If you prefer a printed copy, you can  pre-order it today. To the subscription.

Foto: Christoph Vorburger, Eawag
New professorships at Eawag
The University of Zurich has awarded full professorships to ecologist Florian Altermatt and environmental chemist Kathrin Fenner. Hydrogeologist Mario Schirmer was appointed titular professor by Laval University in Canada.

Foto: Christoph Vorburger, Eawag
Funding for the Waste-based Insect Farming Technologies Project
The Eawag project "Sustainable Waste-based Insect Farming Technologies" is now funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Read more






18 April 2023, 5:15pm
Farewell lecture by Prof. Janet Hering, former Eawag Director, ETH Zurich
9 Mai 2023
PEAK-ZHAW-Vertiefungskurs, Eawag Dübendorf  

4 - 9 June 2023
Eawag Kastanienbaum
13 & 14 June
Konstanz

In our Agenda you will find further events of Eawag.






Ressourcen im Kreislauf
Magazin «die umwelt» 1 / 2023 vom Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU (in German and French)




Scientific publications from Eawag can be found on DORA Eawag.


Cover picture: In close exchange with various universities in Switzerland and abroad, Eawag is committed to the education of undergraduate and doctoral students in natural, engineering and social sciences. In 2022, Eawag employees supervised 149 doctoral theses – such as that of Dorothee Kurz. In collaboration with ETH Zurich, the engineer in Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez’s research group is investigating how bacteria form biofilms in soils and groundwater aquifers.  

You can find more articles on our News Portal.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please send us an e-mail to redaktion@eawag.ch
or visit our website eawag.ch.

Publisher
Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

Contact
Eawag
Überlandstrasse 133
8600 Dübendorf
Switzerland
www.eawag.ch
redaktion@eawag.ch


The texts and photos credited as “Eawag” on the linked websites are subject to the Creative Commons “Attribution 4.0 International” licence. As long as the source is indicated, this material may be freely copied, redistributed and modified. Further information on the licence.