< Back to previous page

Researcher

Lieven Bervoets

  • Research Expertise:For more than 30 years, I have mainly been carrying out field ecotoxicological research on the bioavailability and effects of micropollutants on both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. We mainly look at the effects of environmental factors such as pH, temperature, salinity etc. on the uptake and accumulation of metals and organic micropollutants. Special attention has been paid to perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) for a number of years. In the laboratory we have the capacity to measure metals and PFAS to very low concentrations, both in environmental samples (water, soil, sediment) and in biota (all kinds of terrestrial and aquatic organisms). Effects are studied mainly at the organic level and at the community level. For the study of other micropollutants (e.g. PCBs, flame retardants, pesticides,...) we collaborate with other laboratories inside and outside the UAntwerpen. Recently we started with the study of the fate and effects of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Finally, the effects of "natural" components such as nutrients are also examined at the level of aquatic communities.
  • Keywords:ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, ECOTOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION, MACRO-INVERTEBRATES, FIELD ECOTOXICOLOGY, FISH COMMUNITIES, Biology
  • Disciplines:Animal ecology, Aquatic biology, Aquatic sciences, challenges and pollution not elsewhere classified, Environmental monitoring, Soil chemistry
  • Research techniques:For metal analysis: ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HR-ICPMS For the PFAS analysis: UPLC-MS all equipment for the sampling of environmental samples and biota, both in the aquatic and the terrestrial environment, is available
  • Users of research expertise:Other research groups Regulator organisations such as Flemish Environment Agency and Public Waste Agency Industry