Aquatic outdoor mesocosm studies
gaiac conducts aquatic outdoor mesocosm studies under GLP conditions (Good Laboratory Practice) for the purpose of plant protection product registration. In 2003, a new field mesocosm facility has been constructed according to the state of the art under consideration of the actual guidance documents and regulations. In this system, the impact of pesticides and other chemicals on complex communities of lentic waters can be investigated under outdoor conditions. This test facility consists of 31 ponds (mesocosms) with a volume of 5 m3 each, and a central mixing pond. Thus, it is possible to conduct two independent mesocosm studies at the same time with varying numbers of ponds per each study. The studies are offered in cooperation with the Fraunhofer IME, Schmallenberg and other partners under GLP.
In addition, gaiac offers the determination of biological samples and the statistical analysis and reporting of externally performed mesocosm studies. Also for the re-evaluation of older studies in the light of the new EFSA Guidance Document (2013), we perform the required statistical calculations and evaluations (e.g. as published in Brock et al. 2015).
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References
The research group of Prof. Dr. Hans Toni Ratte at the Institute for Environmental Research (1998-2002) and gaiac (since 2003) have performed a total of 20 confidential studies in aquatic outdoor mesocosms and four microcosm studies studies with the following groups of active ingredients: insecticides (12), fungicides (5), herbicides (6), biocides (1).
Taxonomic groups
Phytoplankton, periphyton, macrophytes, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates (several habitats), emerging insects
Additional investigations
In situ-bioassays with Lemna minor and several macrophytes in aquatic mesocosm studies (e.g. Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton lucens, Elodea canadensis, Glyceria maxima, Sparganium erectum, Ceratophyllum demersum and Chara globularis) as well as with invertebrates such as Asellus aquaticus and Gammarus pulex.