Eawag Aquatic Research

Rare earths pollute Zurich's waters An investigation in the canton of Zurich has shown that certain rare earth elements can enter bodies of water via wastewater treatment plants in concentrations that pose a risk to aquatic organisms. These elements are gadolinium, which comes from contrast agents used in healthcare facilities, as well as lanthanum and cerium, which are used in a number of wastewater treatment plants to remove phosphorus.

Rare earths are indispensable for many technical applications, but they also find their way into bodies of water and can have a negative impact on the organisms living there. 💧

👉 Read the full story:

Continuation of wastewater monitoring secured The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) has been newly commissioned by the Federal Office of Public Health as the National Reference Centre for Wastewater Monitoring. Thi...

Eawag has been newly commissioned by #BAG as the National Reference Centre for #Wastewater Monitoring.

👉 www.eawag.ch/en/info/port...

@trj2.bsky.social @ethz.ch #wastewatermonitoring

Reizt es dich, Forschende bei der finanzielle Seite ihrer Projekte zu unterstützen? Dann suchen wir dich: eine motivierte, selbständige und offene Persönlichkeit als Fachspezialist:in Project Funding Team. 
Alles weitere dazu hier:

We're thrilled to announce the 4th edition of our summer school on Blue-Green Biodiversity, a joint effort by @eawag.bsky.social & @wslresearch.bsky.social.
Join us in Davos to learn more about aquatic & terrestrial ecosystems from an interdisciplinary lens.
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...

We’re looking for a new Head of the Scientific Library Lib4RI (80–100%) to join us from 1 January 2027 (or by arrangement). Shape the future of a modern, largely digital scientific library in an international research environment!

https://f.mtr.cool/hqlmbkeexp

Exiting opportunity for early-career researchers in aquatic science: We are inviting early-career researchers in aquatic science and technology to apply for a 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowship starting in Winter 2026/27 (or earlier).
More here: https://f.mtr.cool/sxbzrhjnvx

PEAK practical application course : Satellite data as a supplement to lake monitoring 💧
March 19, 2026, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm, Eawag

👉 https://www.eawag.ch/en/info/agenda/detail/?tx_sfpevents_sfpevents%5Bcontroller%5D=Events&tx_sfpevents_sfpevents%5Bevent%5D=2924&cHash=d36e5953907ba4a703a3f1317fee1e4f

Viktoria Cologna joined #Eawag! She specialises in #environmentalpsychology and investigates how we can strengthen #trust in science – and how it relates to climate-friendly behaviour.

👉 More about her group: https://www.eawag.ch/en/department/ess/main-focus/climate-and-societal-change-casc/

The paper "Harnessing Computational Methods to Characterize Chemical Impacts on Biodiversity" by Eawag researchers Marissa Kosnik and Nele Schuwirth has won the ES&T Letters 2024 Best Paper Award! 🎉

Congratulations! 

👉 Read the paper:

Sauberes Trinkwasser – (k)eine Selbstverständlichkeit? | naturtalent Auch (vermeintliche) Selbstverständlichkeiten wie etwa unser Leitungswasser dürfen mal hinterfragt werden....

Interessanter Artikel zum Thema Trinkwasser auf "Naturtalent", unter anderem mit einem Podcast mit Andri Bryner, Medienverantwortlicher der #Eawag

👉 www.naturtalent.ch/news-artikel...

Viktoria Cologna joined #Eawag! She specialises in #environmentalpsychology and investigates how we can strengthen #trust in science – and how it relates to climate-friendly behaviour.

👉 More about her group: https://www.eawag.ch/en/department/ess/main-focus/climate-and-societal-change-casc/

Jess MacArthur is the new Knowledge Broker from our department Sandec 💪 

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in global water and #sanitation partnerships, she brings a perspective that bridges academic research with practical implementation.

🌿❤️🐟@wslresearch.bsky.social and #Eawag are strengthening their long-standing collaboration with the new WSL–Eawag Biodiversity Center. The Center connects researchers, creates synergies and boosts the visibility and impact of biodiversity research in science and practice.

Sociologist and political scientist Lisa Deutsch was awarded the ETH Medal for her doctoral thesis written at #Eawag and @ethz.ch Zurich. 

👉 https://www.eawag.ch/en/info/portal/news/news-detail/eth-medal-for-lisa-deutsch/

🍂 Timing matters in aquatic ecosystems

A recent study by Eawag and the University of Zurich shows how climate-driven shifts in autumn leaf fall can affect amphipods.

Read on here: https://f.mtr.cool/qtelpjwlyc

Nora Richter joined the #Eawag Surface Waters Department as an Ambizione research group leader in 2024. With her Organic #Geochemistry group, she investigates how #lakeecosystems change over centuries and millennia – and what we can learn from this for the future.

The insecticide fipronil has been detected in Swiss waterways in concentrations that are critical for aquatic life. A study involving Eawag now shows that the most likely source of contamination is flea and tick repellents for pets. https://f.mtr.cool/uqreawgxwt

Since June last year, Karin Gallandat leads Sandec's new research group on Public Health, #Infrastructure and #Climate.

The group focuses on developing operational research to help optimise water supply and #sanitation infrastructure and services in low-resource and humanitarian settings.

A new study provides precise data on the origin of #plastic in the sea. It could be key to reducing this #pollution in a targeted way 💪

👉 Read more: https://www.eawag.ch/en/info/portal/news/news-detail/plastic-pollution-from-phu-yen-to-a-global-solution

Within the Swiss higher education landscape, Eawag has one of the highest proportions of scientific publications that are open access 📖📕

👉 https://www.eawag.ch/en/eawag-is-a-pioneer-in-open-access-to-its-research/

Microplastics in ambergris? 🐳
Does plastic waste leave traces in the ambergris of sperm whales, a sought-after fragrance for the perfume industry? Ralf Kägi and Matthias Philipp investigated this for the Einstein on SRF in the Eawag particle laboratory.
Full video here: https://f.mtr.cool/nwaaptatzv

Close-up of cherry blossom branches, showcasing natural growth and springtime beauty.

The next allergy season is only a few months away. Our researchers show that indications of allergic diseases can be traced in our wastewater. This could help to assess the intensity of the pollen season. 
Read on at aha! Allergiezentrum: https://www.aha.ch/aktuelles/abwasser-aufschluss-allergien

Mara Knüsel received the prestigious Hydrobiology-Limnology Foundation prize for her doctoral thesis titled “Opening the Black Box: Biodiversity and Biogeography of Groundwater Amphipods in Switzerland” 🎉

Congratulations!

A global shift to agriculture with no or fewer #pesticides would have long-term ecological and economic benefits, according to a new study by @unibonn.bsky.social @ethz.ch and #Eawag🌱

👉 Read more: www.eawag.ch/en/info/port...

How do ecosystems withstand & recover from extreme weather? What hidden costs emerge later?
In our last seminar this year, Madhav Thakur @unibe.ch will show how grassland microorganisms, plants, & invertebrates resist & recover.
Join us in-person or online!
biodiversitycenter.wsl.ch/en/events/de...

Zur Verstärkung unseres Informatik-Teams suchen wir per sofort oder nach Vereinbarung eine Persönlichkeit als
ICT Supporterin / ICT Supporter 80% - 100% in Kastanienbaum/LU

💡 Mehr zur Stelle: apply.refline.ch/673277/1317/...

Congratulations to James Runnalls! 🎉
Alplakes receives Swiss prize for open research data

👉 www.eawag.ch/en/info/port...

#openresearchdata #lakemonitoring

YouTube video by Eawag - aquatic research Prof. Grilli: Deviations From Macroecological Laws Reveal Binary Switches Structuring Ecosystems

Our Eawag Seminar to rewatch!

Prof. Grilli on "Deviations From Macroecological Laws Reveal Binary Switches Structuring Ecosystems" 💡

youtu.be/yb7e9Aw5pmg

How artificial intelligence detects nitrate hotspots Eawag researchers are using machine learning to map nitrate pollution in Swiss groundwater. This allows gaps in the measurement network to be filled and the causes of excessive values to be identified...

Eawag researchers are using machine learning to map nitrate pollution in Swiss groundwater 💧💪

👉 www.eawag.ch/en/info/port...

#nitrate #agriculture #groundwater #machinelearning #ai

Letzte Chance, sich für die PEAK Kurse im Januar 2026 anzumelden! 💪

👉 Sanitärsysteme: Technologien, Chancen und Herausforderungen www.eawag.ch/de/info/agen...

👉 Die Nutzung von numerischen Modellen für die Überwachung und Erforschung von Schweizer Seen: www.eawag.ch/de/info/agen...