- Determination of acute and chronic ecotoxicity of waters, sediments, soils, composts and wastes
Testing biota – freshwater organisms (Daphnia magna Straus, Thamnocephalus platyurus), microalgae (Raphidocelis subcapitata, Desmodesmus subspicatus, Chlorella vulgaris, Haematococcus pluvalis), aquatic plants (Spirodela polyrhyza, Lemna minor), luminescent bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri), seeds of plants (Lactuca sativa, Sinapis alba), soil organisms (Enchytraeus albidus)
- Determination of biodegradability of liquid and solid materials and wastes
Testing carried out – determination of dehydrogenase activity (DHA), respiratory activity (AT4), biological oxygen demand (BOD), measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) values, aerobic respiration (CO2 production), evaluation of aerobic biodegradability (primary, inherent), cultivation on selective agar plates (bacteria, fungi), identification of microbes responsible for biodegradation and selective DNA extraction (carried out in cooperation with the Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, CULS Prague)
- Analysis of microplastics in selected environmental components (water, soil, air)
Performed analyses – quantitative image analysis (microscopic determination without or with using dyeing techniques – Bengal Rose, Nile Red), qualitative analysis (FTIR and Raman devices – carried out in cooperation with the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, CULS Prague)
- Determination of contamination of surfaces and indoor air
Performed analyses – determination of microbial contamination (bacteria, fungi) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by active and passive sampling of airborne substances or surface swabs, determination of selected contaminants by means of detection tubes (e.g. formaldehyde, acetone), measurement of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (GCxGC-TOF-MS instrument – carried out in cooperation with the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, CULS Prague)
- For all determinations, we provide sampling (active or passive) and their preparation (crushing, homogenization, sterilization, water leachate, vacuum filtration, etc.)
- Furthermore, depending on the type of test, we determine dry matter, moisture, ?-chlorophyll content, and perform image analysis (e.g. for the purpose of measuring the area of bracts in ecotoxicity tests) and measurement of pH, temperature, conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), or dissolved oxygen.
The Ecotoxicological Laboratory is administered by the Department of Applied Ecology. It was established in 2020-2021 by separating from the Hydrochemical Laboratory. In 2024, it moved to new premises in the Environmental Studies Pavilion (PES). The laboratory focuses on the treatment of water, soil, and waste materials to evaluate their ecotoxicity and aerobic biodegradability. It is experimentally involved in the analysis of microplastics and the evaluation of indoor air quality. It also participates in the practical teaching of educational courses, in solving scientific research projects and offers facilities for solving practical parts of final bachelor and master theses.
