Branch in Pszczyna – Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Research Centre
Ecotoxicology Research Group
Ecotoxicology Research Group consists of the following sections:
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry
- Laboratory of Aquatic Organisms Toxicology
- Laboratory of Soil Organisms Toxicology
- Laboratory of Beneficial Arthropods Toxicology
The Ecotoxicology Research Group consists of a team of specialists from the disciplines of biology, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental engineering, zootechnics, and agriculture and horticulture, engaged in assessing the toxicity of chemicals, their mixtures, and biological substances. The professional and experienced team guarantees the performance of services at the highest level.
In the Ecotoxicology Research Group, we perform ecotoxicological studies on a variety of organisms including plants, aquatic and soil microorganisms as well as animals (vertebrate and invertebrate), studies of the fate and behaviour of substances in the environment to assess the harmfulness of chemical substances contained in plant protection products, biocides, medicinal products, industrial and municipal wastewater, food and feed additives, and other industrial chemicals and their mixtures.
The purpose of these studies is to determine the impact of the test material on the test organisms allowing the assessment of its harmfulness in relation to the environment. The studies are conducted under the Good Laboratory Practice quality system according to methods: OECD, EU, ISO, EPA, SANTE, SANCO, SETAC, ESCORT 1, ESCORT 2, IOBC, BART, EPPO, and the results are used for registration, licensing as well as other regulations in the field of industrial chemicals.
List of studies that can be performed at the Ecotoxicology Research Group
Aquatic toxicity studies
Freshwater algae and cyanobacteria, growth inhibition test.
Lemna sp. growth inhibition test.
Sediment–free Myriophyllum spicatum toxicity test.
Water–sediment (Myriophyllum spicatum) macrophytes spicatum toxicity test.
Daphnia magna, acute immobilisation test.
Daphnia magna reproduction test.
Sediment–water chironomid toxicity using spiked sediment.
Sediment–water chironomid toxicity using spiked water.
Sediment–water chironomid life-cycle toxicity test using spiked water or spiked sediment.
Chironomus sp., acute immobilisation test.
Fish Cell Line Acute Toxicity – The RTgill-W1 cell line assay.
Fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test.
Fish, acute toxicity test.
Fish, early-life stage toxicity test.
Fish, short-term toxicity test on embryo and sac-fry stages.
Fish, juvenile growth test.
Bioaccumulation in fish: aqueous and dietary exposure.
21-day fish assay: a short-term screening for oestrogenic and androgenic acitivity in zebrafish.
Toxicity studies for soil organisms
Terrestrial plant test, seedling emergence and seedling growth test.
Terrestrial plant test, vegetative vigour test.
Earthworm, acute toxicity test.
Earthworm, reproduction test. (Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei)
Collembolan, reproduction test in soil. (Folsomia candida)
Predatory mite Hypoaspis (Geolaelaps), reproduction test in soil.
Soil microorganisms: nitrogen transformation test.
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Soil microorganisms: carbon transformation test. |
Toxicity tests for pollinators and beneficial arthropods
Honeybees, acute oral toxicity test (Apis mellifera)
Honeybees, acute contact toxicity test (Apis mellifera)
Honeybees, larval toxicity test (Apis mellifera) – single exposure
Honeybees, larval toxicity test (Apis mellifera) – repeated exposure.
Honeybees (Apis mellifera), chronic oral toxicity test (10-day feeding).
Study of honeybees’ flight ability to return to the hive after a single oral exposure to sublethal doses of chemicals.
OECD Nr 332
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.), acute oral toxicity test.
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.), acute contact toxicity test.
A laboratory test or extended laboratory test for evaluating the effects of plant protection products on the parasitic wasp, Aphidius rhopalosiphi De Stephani-Perez.
SETAC; ESCORT I, ESCORT II; IOBC/BART/EPPO
A laboratory test or extended laboratory test for evaluating the effects of plant protection products on the predatory mite, Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten.
SETAC; ESCORT I, ESCORT II; IOBC/BART/EPPO
A laboratory test for evaluating the effects of plant protection products on the spider, Pardosa.
SETAC; ESCORT I, ESCORT II; IOBC/BART/EPPO
A laboratory test or extended laboratory test for evaluating the effects of plant protection products on the seven spotted ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L.
ESCORT 1, ESCORT 2, IOBC, BART, EPPO
A laboratory test or extended laboratory test for evaluating the effects of plant protection products on the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea.
ESCORT 1, ESCORT 2, IOBC, BART, EPPO
Aged residue test on the parasitic wasp, Aphidius rhopalosiphi De Stephani-Perez.
ESCORT 1, ESCORT 2, IOBC, BART, EPPO
Aged residue test on the predatory mite, Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten.
ESCORT 1, ESCORT 2, IOBC, BART, EPPO
Aged residue test on the seven spotted ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L.
ESCORT 1, ESCORT 2, IOBC, BART, EPPO
Aged residue test on the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea.
ESCORT 1, ESCORT 2, IOBC, BART, EPPO
A test for evaluating the chronic effects of plant protection products on the rove beetle Aleochara bilineata (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)
SETAC; ESCORT I, ESCORT II; IOBC/BART/EPPO
A method for testing effects of plant protection products on the carabid beetle Poecilus cupreus (Coleoptera, Carabidae)
SETAC; ESCORT I, ESCORT II; IOBC/BART/EPPO
Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Homing Flight Test, using single oral exposure to sublethal doses of test chemical
Fate and behaviour in the environment
Ready biodegradability
OECD Nr 301D/ EU C.4-E;
OECD Nr 301F/ EU C.4-D
Inherent biodegradability: Zahn-Wellens/ EMPA test
Activated sludge, respiration inhibition test
Aerobic and anaerobic transformation in soil
Leaching in soil columns
Development and validation of an analytical method in water, soil, sediments and plant and animal materials
SANTE
Determination of the residues of chemical substances in water, soil, sedimemt, plant and animal materials
SANTE/2020/12830
Stability of pesticide residues in stored commodities
Bioaccumulation in Terrestrial Oligochaetes
Physical and chemical properties
Water solubility
Solubility in organic solvents
Adsorption – desorption using batch equilibrium method
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water): shake flask method
Hydrolysis as a function of pH
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water), HPLC method
Estimation of the adsorption coefficient (KOC) on soil and on sewage sludge using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Avian toxicology
Avian dietary toxicity test
Avian acute oral toxicity test
Avian repellency test (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Ecosystem structure study
Simulated freshwater lentic field test (outdoor microcosms and mesocosms)
Cooperation with us ensures that the studies are performed at the highest world level. Thus, you receive a guarantee of obtaining most reliable results.
We hold the Certificate of Good Laboratory Practice obliging us to use strictly defined research procedures, and the results obtained have a high practical and scientific value. We were the first in Poland to receive full AAALAC International accreditation granted by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International Council. This accreditation confirms compliance with the highest world standards related to ensuring the welfare of laboratory animals.
List of equipment
- Liquid chromatograph with mass spectrometer (MS/MS)
- Liquid chromatographs with UV-VIS, DAD detectors
- Gas chromatographs with ECD, TSD, FID detectors
- Spectrophotometers
- TOC-L carbon analyser
- Sterilisers (autoclaves)
- Optical, stereoscopic, inverted microscopes
- Multi-parameter meters
- Flow system operating kit
- Laminar chambers
- Incubators (with shaker)
- Soil respiration and BOD testing kits
- Digital meter for ion-selective (NO3) measurements
- Micro-applicator Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd/CE 250A
- Potter’s Tower
- Laboratory incubators
- Climate chamber
- RFID-based system to monitor bee activity
Contact: Katarzyna Winiarska, MSc Head of Ecotoxicology Research Group
e-mail: katarzyna.winiarska@ipo.lukasiewicz.gov.pl Telephon: +48 32 210 30 81 ext. 118
