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Partner 10B - GSF Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit

Contact person
Link to the group leader's CV.

University and research group information

The Institute of Ecological Chemistry, GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health is divided into five research groups: Ecotoxicology, Particles and Pollutants, Elements and Element Species / Central Inorganic Analysis, Distribution, Binding, and Degradation, Organic Compounds and Metabolites.

 

The activities in “Ecotoxicology and Environmental Trace Analysis” research group directed by Prof. Dr. Dr. K.-W. Schramm are process-oriented to allow future molecular based optimisations in biogeosystems and their resources to be substantiated. Determination of effects related to persistent chemicals by physicochemical analysis, bioassays and biomarker pattern support the sustainability of selected biological and biogeochemical functions and structures.

 

For the approach to link chemical exposure and response, the development of diagnostic tools were focused on selected endocrine disruptors (nonylphenol, ethinylestradiol), dioxin-like chemicals and homeostatic analogues of thyronines and thyrosines. The second focus was dedicated to neurotransmitters such as catecholamines which have been partly established as biomarkers for different organisms.

 

Above mentioned parameters were also investigated in natural-like bio-indication systems (microcosms) besides other taxonomic investigations of the biocenosis. The microcosm studies were conducted targeting on the effects and fate of selected endocrine disrupting chemicals. The research units are already working according to formalized QA/QS-systems (EN 17025).

 

Objectives

Novel approaches and techniques for a biological on site characterisation and regulation of processes will become available as milestones by the establishment of:

  • indicators bridging regulation and functions for the measurement of the quality of biogeosystems,
  • early warning diagnostics and predictors for changes in biogeosystems quality or functioning,
  • molecular and microbial ecotoxicology and biotechnology for improvement, exploration and exploitation of resources.

The working group contributes to all topics with expertise in ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry of organic compounds as well as their metabolites. The research focuses on the identification and quantification of unknown compound and natural products within the selected environmental compartments (atmosphere, pedosphere, biosphere, and their microspheres) under normal and stress conditions and on ecotoxicological testing schemes to assess the interaction of biota with organic and inorganic constituents of biogeosystems.

 

Goals

  • Bio-indication of effect-specific reference-chemicals (hormones, antibiotics, cytostatics) in target model-ecosystems and -organisms.
  • Development of predictor-targeted molecular bio-tests and bio-activation tests for complementary diagnostics at trace levels.
  • Characterisation and evaluation of complex matrices (aerosols, soil, vegetation, agricultural residues) on their chemical composition and their molecular-
    biological impact with respect to risk assessment, including investigations on sustaining and novel persistent bio-accumulating toxicants and related compounds
  • Determination of reference values for profiles of neurotransmitters and neuro-hormones employing isotope dilution methods and molecular trace analysis
  • Effects and homeostasis of signalling molecules (neuro-hormones, neurotransmitters) in fish at natural and anthropogenic chemical pressure
  • Photodegradation and fate of PBT on surfaces of biogeosystems.
  • Micro- and nano-sampling- and release-systems for exposure analysis

Contribution to CASCADE

The “Ecotoxicology and Environmental Trace Analysis” group (Partner 10B) use international standard test procedures, HRGC/HRMS, cell lines etc. to characterise and assess chemicals, environmental samples and samples from industrial processes. Further the group deals with the development of new analytical techniques especially for samples preparation to early recognise environmental chemical impact at trace levels. The group also provides expertise in the field of environmental trace analysis and monitoring as well as molecular ecotoxicology focusing on the development of monitoring and assessment methods.

Representative scientific articles as relevant to CASCADE

1

Roots, O., Lahne, R., Simm, M. and Schramm, K.-W., Dioxins in the Baltic herring and sprat in Estonian coastal waters.  Organohalogen Compounds 62, 201-203 (2003) 

2

Chahbane, N., Schramm, K.-W., Kettrup, A.: An in vitro model for screening estrogen activity of environmental samples after metabolism. Organohalogen Compounds 66, 711-714 (2004)

3

Geyer, H., Schramm, K.-W., Darnerud, P.O., Aune, M., Feicht, E.A., Fried, K.W., Henkelmann, B., Lenoir, D., Schmid, P., McDonald, T.A.: Terminal elimination half-lives of the brominated flame retardants TBBPA, HBCD, and lower brominated PBDEs in humans. Organohalogen Compounds 66, 3867-3872 (2004)

4

Schramm, K.-W., Kettrup, A.: A simple cleanup procedure and bioassay for determining TCDD - toxicity equivalents of environmental samples. In: Solid Waste: Assessment, Monitoring and Remediation (Eds.: I. Twardowska et al.). Oxford: Elsevier, Waste Management Series 4, 539-550 (2004)

5

Schulz, A., Stocker, A., Hollosi, L., Schramm, K.-W.: Tra- and TSH-mRNA levels after temporal exposition with methimazole in zebrafish, Danio rerio. Organohalogen Compounds 66, 3052-3056 (2004)

6

Roots, O., Simm, M., Järv, L., Henkelmann, B. and Schramm, K.-W. Levels of PCDD/Fs and „dioxin like“ PCBs in the perch from the north – eastern part of Baltic Sea

Organohalogen compounds 66, 1691-1694 (2004)

7

Croutch, C.R., Lebofsky, M., Schramm, K.-W., Terranova, P.F., Rozman, K. K.,: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and 1,2,3,4,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (HxCDD) Alter Body Weight by Decreasing Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) Signaling, Toxicological Sciences 84, 560-571 (2005)

8

Naderi-Kalai, B., Allameh, A., Rasaee, M.J., Bach, H.-J., Behechti, A., Doods, K., Kettrup, A., Schramm, K.-W.: Suppressive effects of caraway (Carum carvi) extracts on 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin-dependent gene expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 in the rat H4IIE cells. Toxicology in Vitro 19, 373-377 (2005)

9

Shen, H., Main, K.M., Kaleva, M., Virtanen, H., Haavisto, A.-M., Skakkebaek, N.E., Toppari, J., Schramm, K.-W.: Prenatal organochlorine pesticides in placentas from Finland: exposure of male infants born during 1997-2001. Placenta 26, 512-514 (2005)

10

Wang, J., Xie, P., Kettrup, A., Schramm, K.-W.: Evaluation of soot particles of biomass fuels with endocrine-modulating activity in yeast-based bioasssay. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 381, 1609-1618 (2005)