Master student

Topic:
Toxicants can modify the macroinvertebrate community composition in streams: the higher the exposure to toxicants the lower the proportion of sensitive species. This knowledge was used for the bioindicator , a trait-based biological indicator, which links pesticide contamination to the composition of macroinvertebrate communities. Developed in Germany in 2005, the SPEAR has been validated in other parts of Europe, Australia, and South America. It is also routinely used in Swiss national and cantonal stream monitoring programs.

In the frame of the Swiss National Surface Water Quality Program , pesticide concentrations are measured in around 40 small and medium-sized streams in Switzerland, completed by macroinvertebrate sampling and SPEAR evaluation at selected sites. Pesticides exceeded the limits of the Waters Protection Ordinance in more than two thirds of the examined streams. The SPEARpesticides index also showed that most of the streams were in a "moderate" to "unsatisfactory" state.

In a further step, the relationship between the SPEARpesticides index and measured pesticide risk in these Swiss streams should be analyzed in more detail. Therefore, the aim of this interdisciplinary project is to assess the relationship between macroinvertebrate communities and pesticide contamination, using NAWA and additional cantonal data.

Tasks:
• Data preparation and analysis:
o Compilation of existing data
o Calculation of parameters for pesticide toxicity, such as toxic units
o Joint statistical analysis of pesticide toxicity and macroinvertebrate data
o Integration of other environmental parameters to assess their
potential effects on the SPEARpesticides index
• Bibliographical research, especially on similar studies carried out
in other countries
• Drafting of a report and possible participation in the publication of
a paper

We are looking for a master student with a background in chemistry, environmental science or ecology, or any other natural science. The candidate should have some experience in statistical data analysis and R programming skills, additional experience in MS Access would be useful. Furthermore, the candidate should be motivated to learn more about environmental chemistry and freshwater ecology.
Preferred starting date: October 2024 for a period of 6 months.

Applications can be submitted until the position is filled and will therefore be evaluated on a rolling basis. Applications should include a description of your interests, a CV, and the list of lectures/grades.

Advisors:
VSA Platform for Water Quality c/o Eawag (Anne Dietzel and Christiane Ilg)
Co-advisors:
Eawag (Nele Schuwirth), UFZ (Matthias Liess)
Official advisor of a degree granting institution:
to be determined

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