Effects of Environmental Contaminants

The "Effects of Environmental Contaminants" group studies the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of emerging pollutants (nanomaterials, endocrine disruptors, biocides or mycotoxins), as well as their bioaccumulation, particularly in fish. Two approaches are followed to reach this aim: in vitro assays in cell lines and in vivo assays, in aquatic organisms (algae, daphnia and fish). Cell assays study the short- and long-term effect on cell viability, sublethal effects, and substance internalization. Short- and long-term toxicity, sublethal effects, and bioaccumulation are studied in in vivo assays. In addition, methodologies for the evaluation of environmental risk are developed and, through biological and analytical approaches, the presence of specific groups of pollutants in the environment is estimated. The presence of resistances to certain groups of contaminants in both target and non-target species is also studied.