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Two types of microplastics (polystyrene-HBCD and car tire abrasion) affect oxidative stress-related biomarkers in earthworm Eisenia andrei in a time-dependent manner

Microplastics are small plastic fragments that are widely distributed in marine and terrestrial environments. While the soil ecosystem represents a large reservoir for plastic, research so far has focused mainly on the impact on aquatic ecosystems and there is a lack of information on the potentially adverse effects of microplastics on soil biota. Earthworms are key organisms of the soil ecosystem and are due to their crucial role in soil quality and fertility a suitable and popular model organism in soil ecotoxicology. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain insight into the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics on the earthworm Eisenia andrei on multiple levels of biological organization after different exposure periods. Earthworms were exposed to two types of microplastics: (1) polystyrene-HBCD and (2) car tire abrasion in natural soil for 2, 7, 14 and 28 d. Acute and chronic toxicity and all subcellular investigations were conducted for all exposure times, avoidance behavior assessed after 48 h and reproduction after 28 d. Subcellular endpoints included enzymatic biomarker responses, namely, carboxylesterase, glutathione peroxidase, acetylcholinesterase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities, as well as fluorescence-based measurements of oxidative stress-related markers and multixenobiotic resistance activity. Multiple biomarkers showed significant changes in activity, but a recovery of most enzymatic activities could be observed after 28 d. Overall, only minor effects could be observed on a subcellular level, showing that in this exposure scenario with environmentally relevant concentrations based on German pollution levels the threat to soil biota is minimal. However, in areas with higher concentrations of microplastics in the environment, these results can be interpreted as an early warning signal for more adverse effects. In conclusion, these findings provide new insights regarding the ecotoxicological effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics on soil organisms. © 2022 The Authors

Are we doing enough for human health and our environment?

This brochure presents the German national working groups for environmental monitoring and research which contribute to the Working Group on Effects (WGE) of CLRTAP. Their results show the improvements in the state of the environment which have been achieved since 1990, among other things by the implementation of the Gothenburg Protocol, and also shows where further measures are needed with respect to air quality. Veröffentlicht in Broschüren.

Employing trend analysis in environmental research and policy – a methods report

This report outlines for environmental policy how the research method “trend analysis” can support the analysis of new developments which have possibly an impact on the environment. Currently, there is no consistent research method with which to analyze social, technological, economic or political trends that have no obvious connection to the environment, and to systemically identify and assess the complex, interdependent and often indirect effects of these trends. This report offers practical insights on how a trend analysis may be carried out. Veröffentlicht in Texte | 59/2020.

Research and Monitoring Activities on Litter in Groundwater, Rivers, Lakes, Transitional Waters and Soil

The report is based on the results of a questionnaire on current and planned research and monitoring activities on waste in various environmental compartments, which was distributed to European countries via the Federal Environment Agency (⁠ UBA ⁠). It analyses current and planned research and monitoring activities as well as reduction strategies in relation to waste in water and soil. The report highlights the urgent need for comprehensive, standardised monitoring, intensive research and coordinated efforts to better understand and consequently more effectively mitigate the wide-ranging impacts of waste pollution. The annex to the report contains a list and summary of key reports from Member States. Veröffentlicht in Texte | 30/2024.

Protection of terrestrial non-target plant species in the regulation of environmental risks of pesticides

Before a plant protection product is approved for placement on the market, an assessment of the overall acceptability of negative effects on non-target species in arable land and adjacent areas has to be performed according to European guidelines. The guideline for the risk assessment of non-target terrestrial plants (NTTP) is currently revised by the European Food Safety authority (EFSA) to integrate the current state of scientific knowledge and the new requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 to protect biodiversity. In the view of this revision, this report has been conducted to evaluate the actual scientific state of knowledge on effect- and risk assessment for non-target terrestrial plants and to recommend amendments of the current practice in testing and subsequent risk assessment of NTTP. The authors conclude that fundamental issues like the representativeness of the species tested (mostly crop species) and the ecotoxicological endpoints currently used (growth effects in juveniles) are associated with a high degree of uncertainty. These uncertainties must be taken into account in the risk assessment to ensure an adequate level of protection. Also, the analysis of data available would indicate, among other things, that the current risk assessment, limited to growth effects, might not be sufficient to ensure protection of non-target terrestrial plants. Therefore, as a simple risk management measure for PPP causing negative effects on NTTP communities, the authors propose to implement an obligatory in-field no-spray buffer zone, notably without herbicide application. Furthermore, the authors stress the importance of wild arable plants as natural life-support system for many other arable species. They highlight the key position of NTTP in the food chain with birds and mammals on the top. Based on their own research, the authors show indirect effects that PPP, such as herbicides, can have on food availability in agricultural landscapes. In the author’s opinion further applied research is needed to implement all this present information into a scheme for risk assessment and risk management which adequately protects biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, as well as ecosystem services based thereupon. Veröffentlicht in Texte | 20/2015.

Environmental risks from mixtures of antibiotic pharmaceuticals in soils – a literature review

The report summarizes the current knowledge on antibiotic contaminations in soils. The study raises concerns regarding the contamination of manure, anaerobic digestate and sewage sludge with antibiotic mixtures and discusses their ecotoxicological effects and spread of antimicrobial resistance in soils. Overall aims were mainly to identify antibiotic mixtures typically applied in veterinary and human medicine, to evaluate reports on mixtures and contamination levels occurring in soils and in organic waste materials applied to soil as fertilizer, to summarize mixture effects for soil(micro)organisms, and to identify major knowledge gaps to propose further steps for research and regulation. Veröffentlicht in Texte | 32/2019.

Review of internationally proposed critical levels for ammonia

More than ten years after the recommendation of the updated CLRTAP critical levels for ammonia, new findings on the effects of ammonia on vegetation have been discussed in a workshop in Dessau Scientists dealing with research on effects of ammonia on vegetation and ecosystems and those involved in the monitoring of ammonia in the environment were asked to present their recent research. In total 19 presentations from presenters from nine countries were dealing with a current review, models and future trends of NH3 across Europe in the first session, different ammonia monitoring networks in the second session and with vegetation effects (recent research on different scales) in the third session. The report contains a thematic literature review which was presented as a background document to the workshop and summaries of the talks. Veröffentlicht in Texte | 31/2023.

Instruments to increase climate policy ambition before 2020 - economic and political implications in selected industry and emerging countries

Currently there exists a gap between the emissions projected in the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted by countries to the ⁠ UNFCCC ⁠ and the emissions that are consistent with limiting global warming to below 2°C (Climate Action Tracker, 2015a; UNFCCC, 2015). Given that the INDCs only commit countries to mitigation actions beyond 2020, there is an opportunity to further reduce this projected emission gap in 2030 based upon more ambitious mitigation efforts prior to 2020. The aim of this research paper is to analyse the current mitigation efforts of countries, identify best practices and estimate the global impact on emission reductions in 2020 if applied globally. By estimating the extent to which mitigation potential may exist up until 2020 and by providing insights on how policy barriers may be overcome, this report aims to facilitate enhanced action by countries participating in the UNFCCC negotiations prior to 2020. Derzeit besteht eine Lücke zwischen den projizierten Treibhausgasemissionen in den „angestrebten nationalen Beiträgen“ (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, INDCs), die von den Ländern bei der UNFCCC eingereicht wurden, und den Emissionen, die mit einer Begrenzung des globalen Temperaturanstiegs auf maximal 2°C konsistent sind (Climate Action Tracker, 2015a; UNFCCC, 2015). Da die INDCs die Länder nur zu Minderungsmaßnahmen nach 2020 verpflichten, bieten am- bitioniertere Minderungsanstrengungen vor 2020 eine weitere wichtige Möglichkeit die Emissionslücke für das Jahr 2030 weiter zu reduzieren. Ziel des vorliegenden Berichts ist daher, aktuelle Minderungsanstrengungen von Ländern zu analysieren, Best Practice-Politiken und Maßnahmen zu identifizieren und Auswirkungen auf die Emissionsminderungen im Jahr 2020 abzuschätzen, wenn diese Best Practices global umgesetzt würden. Die Analyse dieses globalen Minderungspotentials bis zum Jahr 2020 wird ergänzt durch eine Diskussion, wie mögliche Hemmnisse zur Umsetzung des Potentials überwunden werden können. Damit bietet der Bericht einen Beitrag zur Ermöglichung verstärkter Aktivitäten von UNFCCC-Ländern vor 2020. Veröffentlicht in Climate Change | 29/2016.

Migration, environment and climate change: Impacts

With the advance of climate change and environmental changes threatening livelihoods, their impacts on migration and displacement are receiving increasing attention in research, politics, and civil society. The issue is complex and multi-dimensional, with environmental changes affecting human mobility in diverse ways. The three reports in this series thus evaluate the evidence base for policymaking, and provide entry points for responses in the field of climate change adaptation. This second report focuses on the impacts of migration, environment and climate change, and explores four of the main ways in which environmental change and migration are linked to date. The analysis also includes consideration of how these impact types might develop in the future. Veröffentlicht in Texte | 43/2020.

Migration, environment and climate change: Literature review

With the advance of climate change and environmental changes threatening livelihoods, their impacts on migration and displacement are receiving increasing attention in research, politics, and civil society. The issue is complex and multi-dimensional, with environmental changes affecting human mobility in diverse ways. The three reports in this series thus evaluate the evidence base for policymaking, and provide entry points for responses in the field of climate change adaptation. This first report reviews the literature’s key findings to date and provides an overview of theoretical and empirical research into the linkages between environmental stressors – including climate change – and human mobility. Veröffentlicht in Texte | 42/2020.

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