Project properties

Title Effects of psychopharmaceuticals on the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems and (thesis or internship)
Group Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group
Project type thesis
Credits 27-39
Supervisor(s) Elien Versteegen (elien.versteegen@wur.nl)
Paul van den Brink (paul.vandenbrink@wur.nl)
Examiner(s) to be decided
Contact info Elien Versteegen (elien.versteegen@wur.nl)
Edwin Peeters (edwin.peeters@wur.nl) general info thesis/internship freshwater ecology
Begin date 2022/06/01
End date 2023/12/28
Description The presence of antidepressants in surface water poses a threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems. Compared to other types of pharmaceuticals, not much is known about the environmental risks of psychopharmaceuticals. Especially considering their common usage and potential risk as biologically active compounds. This summer (2022) an outdoor mesocosm study will be executed to study the field-relevant effects of two psychopharmaceuticals on a freshwater aquatic ecosystem (taking place at the Sinderhoeve). This experiment will be used as a wide screening for sensitive species and will be complemented with behavioral bioassays. The final aim is to link ecosystem and population level effects to observed behavioral effects.

Looking for an intern / MSc thesis student that could start in June with skills/interest in: macrofauna identification, hands on experimental work and data analysis.
Used skills Fieldwork, data analysis, statistics, identification
Requirements MSc with skills/interest in: macrofauna identification, hands on experimental work and data analysis.