Research Interests

Industrial wastewater discharges introduce a wide range of known and unknown contaminants into aquatic environments via wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Peak pollution loads can exceed the removal capacity of even advanced treatment technologies, allowing persistent substances to enter receiving waters and cause long-term ecological effects. To address this challenge, industrial effluents are assessed using biodegradation tests and ecotoxicological bioassays, enabling the identification of critical wastewater streams and the evaluation of mitigation measures.

In agricultural catchments, plant protection products may reach surface waters through runoff, spray drift, drainage systems, and direct discharges despite correct application. While a transition to organic farming is not always feasible and the complete avoidance of pesticides may lead to substantial yield losses, established water protection measures have demonstrated their potential to reduce contaminant inputs and improve the ecological status of aquatic communities, as evidenced by both chemical and biological monitoring.

My research interests focus on linking aquatic ecotoxicology with applied water protection. In particular, I investigate how ecotoxicological tools can be used to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures in industrial and agricultural settings and thereby support evidence-based environmental management. Within my PhD project I aim to demonstrate how ecotoxicological monitoring approaches can provide an integrated assessment of mitigation measures, visualize their ecological benefits, and contribute to reducing pollutant inputs at their source.