Research Focus and Directions
We deal with the occurrence and effects of foreign substances – micropollutants – in the aquatic environment. We develop effective and sensitive analytical methods for detecting a wide range of these substances in various components of the environment. We conduct laboratory and field studies and collaborate intensively with the application sphere, particularly in the areas of monitoring water environment contamination, evaluating the effectiveness of wastewater treatment processes and drinking water treatment technologies in terms of micropollutant removal, and expert activities related to clarifying the causes of sudden water environment pollution accidents.
Monitoring the occurrence of micropollutants in the environment
In order to identify the risks associated with environmental contaminations by micropollutants, it is necessary to have effective analytical tools for their monitoring. Our field of activity is the development of effective sampling and analytical methods for monitoring the occurrence of micropollutants, especially pharmaceuticals, drugs, pesticides, PFAS, etc., in environmental samples and their application in research and in cooperation with the application sphere.
We are also developing approaches in the field of non-target screening (NTS), which enable, for example, the detection of changes in the metabolome of exposed and unexposed organisms, the identification of new, previously unknown risk contaminants, and the determination of sources of specific water pollution.
Investigating the impact of foreign substances present in the aquatic environment on exposed organisms
Using various laboratory tests, we investigate the impact of selected foreign substances or mixtures of substances on model organisms – amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. We evaluate this impact based on the determination of suitable biomarkers, histopathological analyses, and monitoring of changes in the behaviour of exposed organisms. We conduct unique field studies focused on evaluating the complex impact of real pollution on various developmental stages of aquatic organisms under specific conditions, focusing on "treated" municipal wastewater plant’s recipients especially.
Applied research in the areas of drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment
We cooperate with companies involved in drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment. We test the effectiveness of existing and new technologies in terms of micropollutant removal. Using non-targeted screening approaches, we identify previously unknown and potentially hazardous foreign substances occurring in drinking water treatment and distribution processes. We design systems for continuous monitoring of raw drinking water quality using bioindicators and passive sampling.
Issues of fisheries management in open waters
We also deal with issues of fisheries management in fishing grounds, especially trout grounds. We specialize in conducting ichthyological monitoring, evaluating the adaptability of stocked fish in open waters, designing and verifying procedures and technologies to produce high-quality Brown trout and European grayling fry, including the breeding of brood fish of these species under controlled conditions. We are responsible for fisheries management in the Blanice vodňanská 4B trout fishing ground, which allows us to carry out unique field experiments based on combining approaches from fisheries and toxicology practice.
