Biomonitoring is a method of observing the impact of external factors on ecosystems and their development over a long period, or of ascertaining differences between one location and another. A monitor suitable for the subject of the investigation must be chosen, and the comparability of the element concentrations thus determined (both within the investigation and with other studies) must be ensured by adhering to precise sampling guidelines. In addition to the small amount of equipment required, the advantages of biomonitoring lie in the ecosystem approach that permits conclusions going beyond the biomonitor itself. Attention has to be given to the factors that may affect element concentrations and which can lead to incorrect statements if ignored.
For the past few years, a strong and intensive combined study by analytical scientists and biologists on bioindication and biomonitoring has developed. To achieve a more public-related prophylactic healthcare feature derived from these biotechniques in the future, the collaboration between analytical scientists, ecotoxicologists and especially human toxicologists has to be strongly intensified and promoted. For this purpose, different forms of education and teaching of students on an international level combined with common research projects encompassing the different scientific fields and philosophies are important keys for common success. and Zechmeister, H. (2008) 'On the road from environmental biomonitoring to human health aspects: atmospheric deposition of heavy metals by epiphytic/epigeic plants: present status and future needs', Int.
Environmental context. Personal care products containing organic chemicals to filter the sun's UV rays are produced and used on a broad scale worldwide. Consequently, these organic UV filters are now widespread in the environment. We investigate the occurrence of seven common organic UV filters in river and lake sediments thereby providing valuable data for the future environmental risk assessment of these chemicals to the benthic community of freshwater ecosystems.Abstract. Personal care products (PCPs) are produced and used in huge amounts. These formulations are permanently introduced into the aquatic environment during regular use, mainly through municipal sewage treatment plants. Although there is increasing concern about PCP residues in the aquatic environment, little is known about the extent and level of contamination. The occurrence and concentrations of the seven most frequently used ultraviolet (UV) filters in river and lake sediments have been investigated over a 6-month period by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: benzophenone-3 (BP-3), 3-benzyliden camphor (3-BC), butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane (B-MDM), ethylhexyl dimethyl p-aminobenzoic acid (ED-PABA), ethylhexyl-methoxycinnamate (EHMC), 3 0 -(4 0 -methylbenzyliden)camphor (4-MBC) and octocrylene (OCR). B-MDM, EHMC and OCR were identified as major contaminants. They were present in every sediment sample with maximum concentrations of 62.2, 6.8 and 642 mg kg À1 . 3-BC and ED-PABA could not be detected in any sediment sample. The temporal distribution profile and concentrations of UV filters differed between lakes and rivers. Whereas concentrations of all UV filters in river sediments were low and constant over time, lake sediments exhibited high UV-filter levels during summer and concentrations dropped in autumn. These findings support risk assessment activities and contribute to a better understanding of the magnitude of contamination with organic UV-filter substances in aquatic ecosystems.
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