Ryszard Laskowski - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ryszard Laskowski

Research paper thumbnail of The Formal Model for the solitary bee Osmia bicornis L. agent‑based model

Solitary bees provide an important ecological and agricultural service by pollinating both wild p... more Solitary bees provide an important ecological and agricultural service by pollinating both wild plants and crops, often more effectively than honey bees. In the context of worldwide pollinators' declines, it is important to better understand the functioning of populations under multiple stressors at larger spatial and temporal scales. Here we propose building a detailed, spatially-explicit agent-based model of one of the best-studied species of solitary bees, Osmia bicornis L. In this Formal Model, we review various aspects of O. bicornis biology and ecology in detail and provide descriptions of their planned implementations in the model. We also discuss the model gaps and limitations, as well as inclusions and exclusions, allowing a dialogue with the reviewers about the model's design. The ALMaSS model of O. bicornis aims to provide a realistic and detailed representation of O. bicornis populations in space and time in European agricultural landscapes. The model will be a part of the Animal, Landscape and Man Simulation System (ALMaSS); thus will be able to utilise a highly detailed, dynamic ALMaSS landscape model. It will consider the behaviour of all bee life stages daily and use state transitions to allow each individual to decide their behaviour. The development of egg-to-pupa stages in the nest will be temperature-driven. Adult bees, after they emerge from the nest in spring, will interact with the environment. They will be able to search for suitable nesting locations, provision their brood cells with pollen and reproduce. Modelled females will balance offspring size and ‡ ‡ ‡ § © Ziółkowska E et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. number following the optimal allocation theory, but local environmental factors will modify their actual parental investment decisions. The model will include the daily mortality rate for the egg-to-pupa stages, overwintering mortality, and background mortality outside the nest. We will also consider the risk of open-cell parasitism as increasing with the time the brood cell is open. With the level of detail suggested, the model will be able to simulate population-level dynamics in response to multiple factors at the landscape scale over long periods. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has suggested O. bicornis as a model organism for non-Apis solitary bees in the pesticide risk assessment scheme. Therefore, we hope our model will be a first step in building future landscape risk assessments for solitary bees.

Research paper thumbnail of Cellulose decomposed faster in fallow soil than in meadow soil due to a shorter lag time

Journal of Soils and Sediments, Sep 12, 2016

The study aimed at comparing organic matter decomposition in two semi-natural agrobiocenozes, nam... more The study aimed at comparing organic matter decomposition in two semi-natural agrobiocenozes, namely fallows and meadows, with similar plant biomass but differing in plant community composition and diversity and in succession stage. Materials and methods The decomposition rate of a standard material (cellulose) was measured in soils from six fallows and six meadows spanning a few kilometres apart. The mathematical model was fitted to the data. Results and discussion The model showed a significantly longer lag-time in cellulose decomposition in the meadows. Despite the delayed start of decomposition in the meadows, the estimated decomposition rates were similar in both ecosystem types, once the decay started. Conclusions The faster start of decomposition in fallows seems to be promoted by higher contents of nitrates and phosphates in the fallow soils. The fallows, as younger ecosystems, may have faster C turnover than older grasslands due to remains of fertilisers on these ex-arable fields.

Research paper thumbnail of Uncertainty of Concentration and Response Addition

CRC Press eBooks, Nov 1, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Does of mixed diffuse pollution degrease ground beetle diversity

Although most ecotoxicological tests study effects of toxicants on single organisms or population... more Although most ecotoxicological tests study effects of toxicants on single organisms or populations (Jones & Hopkin 1996, Hopkin 1989, Kramarz & Laskowski 1997, Kramarz 1999) the pollution in nature affects a range of species (populations) inhabiting contaminated areas. In natural systems, community response is not a sum of individual species responses to Does mixed diffused pollution decrease ground beetle diversity? Does mixed diffused pollution decrease ground

Research paper thumbnail of Harmonised risk assessment for human health, animal health and ecological risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals: a food and feed safety perspective

Toxicology Letters, 2018

The field of human toxicology is currently transitioning from classical toxicology, focusing on m... more The field of human toxicology is currently transitioning from classical toxicology, focusing on measuring apical endpoints for toxicity in animal models, to predictive in vitro toxicology, relying on information on toxic mechanisms. This paradigm shift has been reinforced by the introduction of a number of pathway-based approaches in the past few years, all that will be shortly discussed in this presentation. Focus will be put on the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept, which is gaining momentum worldwide. AOPs share a common structure consisting of a molecular initiating event, a series of key events connected by key event relationships, and an adverse outcome. Development and evaluation of AOPs ideally complies with guidelines issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. AOP frameworks have yet been proposed for major types of human toxicity, such as skin sensitization and hepatotoxicity. AOPs can serve a number of purposes pertinent to the fields of human toxicology and risk assessment, in particular the establishment of quantitative structure-activity relationships, the development of novel in vitro toxicity screening tests and the elaboration of prioritization strategies. All these topics will be discussed and exemplified in this presentation.

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion of the PPR Panel on the follow‐up of the findings of the External Scientific Report ‘Literature review of epidemiological studies linking exposure to pesticides and health effects’

EFSA Journal, 2017

In 2013, EFSA published a comprehensive systematic review of epidemiological studies published fr... more In 2013, EFSA published a comprehensive systematic review of epidemiological studies published from 2006 to 2012 investigating the association between pesticide exposure and many health outcomes. Despite the considerable amount of epidemiological information available, the quality of much of this evidence was rather low and many limitations likely affect the results so firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Studies that do not meet the 'recognised standards' mentioned in the Regulation (EU) No 1107/2009 are thus not suited for risk assessment. In this Scientific Opinion, the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their residues (PPR Panel) was requested to assess the methodological limitations of pesticide epidemiology studies and found that poor exposure characterisation primarily defined the major limitation. Frequent use of case-control studies as opposed to prospective studies was considered another limitation. Inadequate definition or deficiencies in health outcomes need to be avoided and reporting of findings could be improved in some cases. The PPR Panel proposed recommendations on how to improve the quality and reliability of pesticide epidemiology studies to overcome these limitations and to facilitate an appropriate use for risk assessment. The Panel recommended the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analysis, where appropriate, of pesticide observational studies as useful methodology to understand the potential hazards of pesticides, exposure scenarios and methods for assessing exposure, exposure-response characterisation and risk characterisation. Finally, the PPR Panel proposed a methodological approach to integrate and weight multiple lines of evidence, including epidemiological data, for pesticide risk assessment. Biological plausibility can contribute to establishing causation.

Research paper thumbnail of Improving environmental risk assessments of chemicals: Steps towards evidence-based ecotoxicology

Environment International, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Investigation into experimental toxicological properties of plant protection products having a potential link to Parkinson's disease and childhood leukaemia†

EFSA Journal, 2017

In 2013, EFSA published a literature review on epidemiological studies linking exposure to pestic... more In 2013, EFSA published a literature review on epidemiological studies linking exposure to pesticides and human health outcome. As a follow up, the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their residues (PPR Panel) was requested to investigate the plausible involvement of pesticide exposure as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) and childhood leukaemia (CHL). A systematic literature review on PD and CHL and mode of actions for pesticides was published by EFSA in 2016 and used as background documentation. The Panel used the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) conceptual framework to define the biological plausibility in relation to epidemiological studies by means of identification of specific symptoms of the diseases as AO. The AOP combines multiple information and provides knowledge of biological pathways, highlights species differences and similarities, identifies research needs and supports regulatory decisions. In this context, the AOP approach could help in organising the available experimental knowledge to assess biological plausibility by describing the link between a molecular initiating event (MIE) and the AO through a series of biologically plausible and essential key events (KEs). As the AOP is chemically agnostic, tool chemical compounds were selected to empirically support the response and temporal concordance of the key event relationships (KERs). Three qualitative and one putative AOP were developed by the Panel using the results obtained. The Panel supports the use of the AOP framework to scientifically and transparently explore the biological plausibility of the association between pesticide exposure and human health outcomes, identify data gaps, define a tailored testing strategy and suggests an AOP's informed Integrated Approach for Testing and Assessment (IATA).

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion addressing the state of the science on risk assessment of plant protection products for non‐target arthropods

EFSA Journal, 2015

Following a request from the European Food Safety Authority, the Panel on Plant Protection Produc... more Following a request from the European Food Safety Authority, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues developed an opinion on the science to support the development of a risk assessment scheme of plant protection products for non-target arthropods. The current risk assessment scheme is reviewed, taking into consideration recent workshops and progress in science. Proposals are made for specific protection goals which aim to protect important ecosystem services such as food web support, pest control and biodiversity. In order to address recovery and source-sink population dynamics, conducting a landscape-level risk assessment is suggested. A new risk assessment scheme is suggested which integrates modelling approaches. The main exposure routes for non-target arthropods are identified and proposals are made on how to integrate them in the risk assessment. The appropriateness of the currently used vegetation distribution factor was investigated. It is proposed that new tests be included in order to address exposure via oral uptake of residues and uncertainties related to differences in species sensitivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion on the effect assessment for pesticides on sediment organisms in edge‐of‐field surface water

EFSA Journal, 2015

The EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR Panel) was tasked to revise t... more The EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR Panel) was tasked to revise the Guidance Document (GD) on Aquatic Ecotoxicology under Council Directive 91/414/EEC (SANCO/3268/2001 rev. 4 (final), 17 October 2002). This scientific opinion of the PPR Panel is the second of three requested deliverables within this mandate. The scientific background for the risk assessment on sediment organisms in edge-of-field surface waters is provided, with reference to benthic ecology and ecotoxicology, available test protocols and current knowledge on exposure and effects of sediment-bound plant protection products (PPPs). The scientific opinion provides approaches on how to derive regulatory acceptable concentrations (RACs) for sediment organisms and exposure to active substances of PPPs and transformation products of these substances, and how to link them in a tiered approach to predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) for the sediment compartment. A list of uncertainties in relation to such approaches is given.

Research paper thumbnail of Appendix I

Advances in Ecological Research, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology

Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and ... more Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Setac)) van Gestel, Cornelis A. M. In the last decade and a half, great progress has been made in the development of concepts and models for mixture toxicity, both in human and environmental toxicology. However, due to their different protection goals, developments have often progressed in parallel but with little integration. Arguably the first book to clearly link ecotoxicology and classic human toxicology, Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology incorporates extensive reviews of exposure to toxicants, toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, toxicity of mixtures, and risk assessment. Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Setac)) by van Gestel, Cornelis A. M. Mobipocket Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Setac)) by van Gestel, Cornelis A. M. EPub

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion on the state of the science on pesticide risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles

EFSA Journal, 2018

Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues develope... more Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues developed an opinion on the science to support the potential development of a risk assessment scheme of plant protection products for amphibians and reptiles. The coverage of the risk to amphibians and reptiles by current risk assessments for other vertebrate groups was investigated. Available test methods and exposure models were reviewed with regard to their applicability to amphibians and reptiles. Proposals were made for specific protection goals aiming to protect important ecosystem services and taking into consideration the regulatory framework and existing protection goals for other vertebrates. Uncertainties, knowledge gaps and research needs were highlighted.

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion on the state of the art of Toxicokinetic/Toxicodynamic (TKTD) effect models for regulatory risk assessment of pesticides for aquatic organisms

EFSA Journal, 2018

Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) de... more Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) developed an opinion on the state of the art of Toxicokinetic/Toxicodynamic (TKTD) models and their use in prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA) for pesticides and aquatic organisms. TKTD models are species-and compound-specific and can be used to predict (sub)lethal effects of pesticides under untested (time-variable) exposure conditions. Three different types of TKTD models are described, viz., (i) the 'General Unified Threshold models of Survival' (GUTS), (ii) those based on the Dynamic Energy Budget theory (DEBtox models), and (iii) models for primary producers. All these TKTD models follow the principle that the processes influencing internal exposure of an organism, (TK), are separated from the processes that lead to damage and effects/mortality (TD). GUTS models can be used to predict survival rate under untested exposure conditions. DEBtox models explore the effects on growth and reproduction of toxicants over time, even over the entire life cycle. TKTD model for primary producers and pesticides have been developed for algae, Lemna and Myriophyllum. For all TKTD model calibration, both toxicity data on standard test species and/or additional species can be used. For validation, substance and species-specific data sets from independent refined-exposure experiments are required. Based on the current state of the art (e.g. lack of documented and evaluated examples), the DEBtox modelling approach is currently limited to research applications. However, its great potential for future use in prospective ERA for pesticides is recognised. The GUTS model and the Lemna model are considered ready to be used in risk assessment.

Research paper thumbnail of Demography in Ecotoxicology

List of Contributors. Series Foreword Preface Introduction Demographic Approaches in Ecotoxicolog... more List of Contributors. Series Foreword Preface Introduction Demographic Approaches in Ecotoxicology: State of the Art (J. Kammenga R. Laskowski) The Toxicologists' and Ecologists' Point of View-Unification through a Demographic Approach (J. Stark J. Banks) Demographic Changes Dynamic Effects of Compounds on Animal Energetics and Their Population Consequences (B. Kooijman J. Bedaux) Life Table Response Experiments in Ecotoxicology (H. Caswell) Stochastic and Density-dependent Models in Ecotoxicology (R. Laskowski) Effects of Heavy Metals on the Badger Meles meles: Interaction between Habitat Quality and Fragmentation (C. Klok, et al.) Cadmium and Zinc Accumulation and Its Demographic Effects in Invertebrates (P. Kramarz) Small Mammal Response at Population and Community Level to Heavy Metal Pollution (Pb, Cd, Tl) (K. Dmowski, et al.) Evolution in Polluted Environments Evolution in Toxic Environments: Quantitative Versus Major Gene Approaches (R. Woods A. Hoffmann) Review of Experimental Evidence for Physiological Costs of Tolerance to Toxicants (N. van Straalen A. Hoffmann) Multi-generation Effects at the Population Level: Fitness Maximisation and Optimal Allocation in a Nematode (J. Kammenga, et al.) Optimal Allocation, Life History and Heavy Metal Accumulation: a Dynamic Programming Model (M. Janczur, et al.) Preadapted Populations in Metal-polluted Environments (A. Rozen) Relationships between Enzymatic Response and Animal Population Demography in Polluted Environments (P. Migula) Tissue Changes in Animals and Their Population Effects (R. wiergosz) Open Problems and Recommendations for Risk Assessment Demographic Approaches in Ecotoxicology-Open Problems (J. Kammenga R. Laskowski) Implications for Ecological Risk Assessment: The Risk Quotient Life-cycle Approach (J. Kammenga) Index

Research paper thumbnail of Bacterial Opportunism in Fallow and Meadow Soils

Research paper thumbnail of Toxicokinetics of metals in the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus exposed to natural polluted soils – relevance of laboratory tests to the field situation

Environmental Pollution, 2014

The aim of this study was to estimate the bioavailability of essential (Zn, Cu) and non-essential... more The aim of this study was to estimate the bioavailability of essential (Zn, Cu) and non-essential metals (Cd, Pb) to the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus exposed to soils originating from a gradient of metal pollution in Southern Poland. Metal uptake and elimination kinetics were determined and related to soils properties. Experimental results were compared with tissue metal concentrations observed in earthworms from the studied transect. Cd and Pb were intensively accumulated by the earthworms, with very slow or no elimination. Their uptake rate constants, based on 0.01 M CaCl2-extractable concentrations in the soils, increased with soil pH. Internal concentrations of Cu and Zn were maintained by the earthworms at a stable level, suggesting efficient regulation of these metals by the animals. The estimated uptake and elimination kinetics parameters enabled fairly accurate prediction of metal concentrations reached within a life span of L. rubellus in nature.

Research paper thumbnail of Wing membrane and Fur as indicators of metal exposure and contamination of internal tissues in bats

Environmental Pollution

All European bats are protected by the EU and Associated Members legal regulations. Being insecti... more All European bats are protected by the EU and Associated Members legal regulations. Being insectivorous and top predators, they can be particularly exposed to persistent organic and inorganic pollutants. It is surprising how little is known about the impact of environmental pollutants on bats from physiological to populational levels. In this study we focused on contamination with trace metals of first-year bats from Kharkiv city, NE Ukraine. Tissues from the carcasses of two species, Nyctalus noctula (n = 20) and Eptesicus serotinus (n = 20), were used for metal analysis. The samples of external (wing membrane, fur) and internal (liver, lung, kidney, bones) tissues were analysed for contents of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd to see whether fur or wing membrane can be used as proxies for metal contamination of the vital internal tissues. In E. serotinus, significant positive correlations in Pb concentrations were found between all external and internal tissues. For Cd only, correlation between the fur and lung was found, for Cu between the fur and liver, and for Zn between the fur and kidney. In contrast, for N. noctula, only one such correlation was found - between Zn concentrations in the fur and kidney. The tissues differed significantly in concentrations of all studied metals, with no difference between the species. The results showed that the fur and wing membrane can be used as good proxies for Pb concentrations in internal organs of E. serotinus, but not necessarily for other metals or for N. noctula. The results for Pb are, however, encouraging enough to conclude that the topic is worth further studies, covering more species, a wider age range and more diverse environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Low impact of metal pollution on genetic variation in the earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra measured by allozymes

Pedobiologia, 2008

... Simonsen and Scott-Fordsmand (2004) found, by detecting esterase with a non-specific colorime... more ... Simonsen and Scott-Fordsmand (2004) found, by detecting esterase with a non-specific colorimetric method after the electrophoresis, that one homozygote ... The sites for earthworm collection were established along a forest transect, as used in other studies, stretching from 1.9 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Supporting non-target arthropods in agroecosystems: Modelling effects of insecticides and landscape structure on carabids in agricultural landscapes

Science of The Total Environment

We simulated relative effects of agricultural intensification on beetle populations. • Beetle pop... more We simulated relative effects of agricultural intensification on beetle populations. • Beetle population dynamics were assessed along a gradient of landscape heterogeneity. • Reducing the insecticide-driven lethality was a major mitigation measure. • Wide field margins supported beetles even with moderate use of insecticides. • Effectiveness of mitigation measures strongly depends on landscape heterogeneity.

Research paper thumbnail of The Formal Model for the solitary bee Osmia bicornis L. agent‑based model

Solitary bees provide an important ecological and agricultural service by pollinating both wild p... more Solitary bees provide an important ecological and agricultural service by pollinating both wild plants and crops, often more effectively than honey bees. In the context of worldwide pollinators' declines, it is important to better understand the functioning of populations under multiple stressors at larger spatial and temporal scales. Here we propose building a detailed, spatially-explicit agent-based model of one of the best-studied species of solitary bees, Osmia bicornis L. In this Formal Model, we review various aspects of O. bicornis biology and ecology in detail and provide descriptions of their planned implementations in the model. We also discuss the model gaps and limitations, as well as inclusions and exclusions, allowing a dialogue with the reviewers about the model's design. The ALMaSS model of O. bicornis aims to provide a realistic and detailed representation of O. bicornis populations in space and time in European agricultural landscapes. The model will be a part of the Animal, Landscape and Man Simulation System (ALMaSS); thus will be able to utilise a highly detailed, dynamic ALMaSS landscape model. It will consider the behaviour of all bee life stages daily and use state transitions to allow each individual to decide their behaviour. The development of egg-to-pupa stages in the nest will be temperature-driven. Adult bees, after they emerge from the nest in spring, will interact with the environment. They will be able to search for suitable nesting locations, provision their brood cells with pollen and reproduce. Modelled females will balance offspring size and ‡ ‡ ‡ § © Ziółkowska E et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. number following the optimal allocation theory, but local environmental factors will modify their actual parental investment decisions. The model will include the daily mortality rate for the egg-to-pupa stages, overwintering mortality, and background mortality outside the nest. We will also consider the risk of open-cell parasitism as increasing with the time the brood cell is open. With the level of detail suggested, the model will be able to simulate population-level dynamics in response to multiple factors at the landscape scale over long periods. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has suggested O. bicornis as a model organism for non-Apis solitary bees in the pesticide risk assessment scheme. Therefore, we hope our model will be a first step in building future landscape risk assessments for solitary bees.

Research paper thumbnail of Cellulose decomposed faster in fallow soil than in meadow soil due to a shorter lag time

Journal of Soils and Sediments, Sep 12, 2016

The study aimed at comparing organic matter decomposition in two semi-natural agrobiocenozes, nam... more The study aimed at comparing organic matter decomposition in two semi-natural agrobiocenozes, namely fallows and meadows, with similar plant biomass but differing in plant community composition and diversity and in succession stage. Materials and methods The decomposition rate of a standard material (cellulose) was measured in soils from six fallows and six meadows spanning a few kilometres apart. The mathematical model was fitted to the data. Results and discussion The model showed a significantly longer lag-time in cellulose decomposition in the meadows. Despite the delayed start of decomposition in the meadows, the estimated decomposition rates were similar in both ecosystem types, once the decay started. Conclusions The faster start of decomposition in fallows seems to be promoted by higher contents of nitrates and phosphates in the fallow soils. The fallows, as younger ecosystems, may have faster C turnover than older grasslands due to remains of fertilisers on these ex-arable fields.

Research paper thumbnail of Uncertainty of Concentration and Response Addition

CRC Press eBooks, Nov 1, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Does of mixed diffuse pollution degrease ground beetle diversity

Although most ecotoxicological tests study effects of toxicants on single organisms or population... more Although most ecotoxicological tests study effects of toxicants on single organisms or populations (Jones & Hopkin 1996, Hopkin 1989, Kramarz & Laskowski 1997, Kramarz 1999) the pollution in nature affects a range of species (populations) inhabiting contaminated areas. In natural systems, community response is not a sum of individual species responses to Does mixed diffused pollution decrease ground beetle diversity? Does mixed diffused pollution decrease ground

Research paper thumbnail of Harmonised risk assessment for human health, animal health and ecological risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals: a food and feed safety perspective

Toxicology Letters, 2018

The field of human toxicology is currently transitioning from classical toxicology, focusing on m... more The field of human toxicology is currently transitioning from classical toxicology, focusing on measuring apical endpoints for toxicity in animal models, to predictive in vitro toxicology, relying on information on toxic mechanisms. This paradigm shift has been reinforced by the introduction of a number of pathway-based approaches in the past few years, all that will be shortly discussed in this presentation. Focus will be put on the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept, which is gaining momentum worldwide. AOPs share a common structure consisting of a molecular initiating event, a series of key events connected by key event relationships, and an adverse outcome. Development and evaluation of AOPs ideally complies with guidelines issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. AOP frameworks have yet been proposed for major types of human toxicity, such as skin sensitization and hepatotoxicity. AOPs can serve a number of purposes pertinent to the fields of human toxicology and risk assessment, in particular the establishment of quantitative structure-activity relationships, the development of novel in vitro toxicity screening tests and the elaboration of prioritization strategies. All these topics will be discussed and exemplified in this presentation.

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion of the PPR Panel on the follow‐up of the findings of the External Scientific Report ‘Literature review of epidemiological studies linking exposure to pesticides and health effects’

EFSA Journal, 2017

In 2013, EFSA published a comprehensive systematic review of epidemiological studies published fr... more In 2013, EFSA published a comprehensive systematic review of epidemiological studies published from 2006 to 2012 investigating the association between pesticide exposure and many health outcomes. Despite the considerable amount of epidemiological information available, the quality of much of this evidence was rather low and many limitations likely affect the results so firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Studies that do not meet the 'recognised standards' mentioned in the Regulation (EU) No 1107/2009 are thus not suited for risk assessment. In this Scientific Opinion, the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their residues (PPR Panel) was requested to assess the methodological limitations of pesticide epidemiology studies and found that poor exposure characterisation primarily defined the major limitation. Frequent use of case-control studies as opposed to prospective studies was considered another limitation. Inadequate definition or deficiencies in health outcomes need to be avoided and reporting of findings could be improved in some cases. The PPR Panel proposed recommendations on how to improve the quality and reliability of pesticide epidemiology studies to overcome these limitations and to facilitate an appropriate use for risk assessment. The Panel recommended the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analysis, where appropriate, of pesticide observational studies as useful methodology to understand the potential hazards of pesticides, exposure scenarios and methods for assessing exposure, exposure-response characterisation and risk characterisation. Finally, the PPR Panel proposed a methodological approach to integrate and weight multiple lines of evidence, including epidemiological data, for pesticide risk assessment. Biological plausibility can contribute to establishing causation.

Research paper thumbnail of Improving environmental risk assessments of chemicals: Steps towards evidence-based ecotoxicology

Environment International, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Investigation into experimental toxicological properties of plant protection products having a potential link to Parkinson's disease and childhood leukaemia†

EFSA Journal, 2017

In 2013, EFSA published a literature review on epidemiological studies linking exposure to pestic... more In 2013, EFSA published a literature review on epidemiological studies linking exposure to pesticides and human health outcome. As a follow up, the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their residues (PPR Panel) was requested to investigate the plausible involvement of pesticide exposure as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) and childhood leukaemia (CHL). A systematic literature review on PD and CHL and mode of actions for pesticides was published by EFSA in 2016 and used as background documentation. The Panel used the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) conceptual framework to define the biological plausibility in relation to epidemiological studies by means of identification of specific symptoms of the diseases as AO. The AOP combines multiple information and provides knowledge of biological pathways, highlights species differences and similarities, identifies research needs and supports regulatory decisions. In this context, the AOP approach could help in organising the available experimental knowledge to assess biological plausibility by describing the link between a molecular initiating event (MIE) and the AO through a series of biologically plausible and essential key events (KEs). As the AOP is chemically agnostic, tool chemical compounds were selected to empirically support the response and temporal concordance of the key event relationships (KERs). Three qualitative and one putative AOP were developed by the Panel using the results obtained. The Panel supports the use of the AOP framework to scientifically and transparently explore the biological plausibility of the association between pesticide exposure and human health outcomes, identify data gaps, define a tailored testing strategy and suggests an AOP's informed Integrated Approach for Testing and Assessment (IATA).

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion addressing the state of the science on risk assessment of plant protection products for non‐target arthropods

EFSA Journal, 2015

Following a request from the European Food Safety Authority, the Panel on Plant Protection Produc... more Following a request from the European Food Safety Authority, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues developed an opinion on the science to support the development of a risk assessment scheme of plant protection products for non-target arthropods. The current risk assessment scheme is reviewed, taking into consideration recent workshops and progress in science. Proposals are made for specific protection goals which aim to protect important ecosystem services such as food web support, pest control and biodiversity. In order to address recovery and source-sink population dynamics, conducting a landscape-level risk assessment is suggested. A new risk assessment scheme is suggested which integrates modelling approaches. The main exposure routes for non-target arthropods are identified and proposals are made on how to integrate them in the risk assessment. The appropriateness of the currently used vegetation distribution factor was investigated. It is proposed that new tests be included in order to address exposure via oral uptake of residues and uncertainties related to differences in species sensitivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion on the effect assessment for pesticides on sediment organisms in edge‐of‐field surface water

EFSA Journal, 2015

The EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR Panel) was tasked to revise t... more The EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR Panel) was tasked to revise the Guidance Document (GD) on Aquatic Ecotoxicology under Council Directive 91/414/EEC (SANCO/3268/2001 rev. 4 (final), 17 October 2002). This scientific opinion of the PPR Panel is the second of three requested deliverables within this mandate. The scientific background for the risk assessment on sediment organisms in edge-of-field surface waters is provided, with reference to benthic ecology and ecotoxicology, available test protocols and current knowledge on exposure and effects of sediment-bound plant protection products (PPPs). The scientific opinion provides approaches on how to derive regulatory acceptable concentrations (RACs) for sediment organisms and exposure to active substances of PPPs and transformation products of these substances, and how to link them in a tiered approach to predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) for the sediment compartment. A list of uncertainties in relation to such approaches is given.

Research paper thumbnail of Appendix I

Advances in Ecological Research, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology

Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and ... more Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Setac)) van Gestel, Cornelis A. M. In the last decade and a half, great progress has been made in the development of concepts and models for mixture toxicity, both in human and environmental toxicology. However, due to their different protection goals, developments have often progressed in parallel but with little integration. Arguably the first book to clearly link ecotoxicology and classic human toxicology, Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology incorporates extensive reviews of exposure to toxicants, toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, toxicity of mixtures, and risk assessment. Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Setac)) by van Gestel, Cornelis A. M. Mobipocket Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Setac)) by van Gestel, Cornelis A. M. EPub

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion on the state of the science on pesticide risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles

EFSA Journal, 2018

Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues develope... more Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues developed an opinion on the science to support the potential development of a risk assessment scheme of plant protection products for amphibians and reptiles. The coverage of the risk to amphibians and reptiles by current risk assessments for other vertebrate groups was investigated. Available test methods and exposure models were reviewed with regard to their applicability to amphibians and reptiles. Proposals were made for specific protection goals aiming to protect important ecosystem services and taking into consideration the regulatory framework and existing protection goals for other vertebrates. Uncertainties, knowledge gaps and research needs were highlighted.

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Opinion on the state of the art of Toxicokinetic/Toxicodynamic (TKTD) effect models for regulatory risk assessment of pesticides for aquatic organisms

EFSA Journal, 2018

Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) de... more Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) developed an opinion on the state of the art of Toxicokinetic/Toxicodynamic (TKTD) models and their use in prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA) for pesticides and aquatic organisms. TKTD models are species-and compound-specific and can be used to predict (sub)lethal effects of pesticides under untested (time-variable) exposure conditions. Three different types of TKTD models are described, viz., (i) the 'General Unified Threshold models of Survival' (GUTS), (ii) those based on the Dynamic Energy Budget theory (DEBtox models), and (iii) models for primary producers. All these TKTD models follow the principle that the processes influencing internal exposure of an organism, (TK), are separated from the processes that lead to damage and effects/mortality (TD). GUTS models can be used to predict survival rate under untested exposure conditions. DEBtox models explore the effects on growth and reproduction of toxicants over time, even over the entire life cycle. TKTD model for primary producers and pesticides have been developed for algae, Lemna and Myriophyllum. For all TKTD model calibration, both toxicity data on standard test species and/or additional species can be used. For validation, substance and species-specific data sets from independent refined-exposure experiments are required. Based on the current state of the art (e.g. lack of documented and evaluated examples), the DEBtox modelling approach is currently limited to research applications. However, its great potential for future use in prospective ERA for pesticides is recognised. The GUTS model and the Lemna model are considered ready to be used in risk assessment.

Research paper thumbnail of Demography in Ecotoxicology

List of Contributors. Series Foreword Preface Introduction Demographic Approaches in Ecotoxicolog... more List of Contributors. Series Foreword Preface Introduction Demographic Approaches in Ecotoxicology: State of the Art (J. Kammenga R. Laskowski) The Toxicologists' and Ecologists' Point of View-Unification through a Demographic Approach (J. Stark J. Banks) Demographic Changes Dynamic Effects of Compounds on Animal Energetics and Their Population Consequences (B. Kooijman J. Bedaux) Life Table Response Experiments in Ecotoxicology (H. Caswell) Stochastic and Density-dependent Models in Ecotoxicology (R. Laskowski) Effects of Heavy Metals on the Badger Meles meles: Interaction between Habitat Quality and Fragmentation (C. Klok, et al.) Cadmium and Zinc Accumulation and Its Demographic Effects in Invertebrates (P. Kramarz) Small Mammal Response at Population and Community Level to Heavy Metal Pollution (Pb, Cd, Tl) (K. Dmowski, et al.) Evolution in Polluted Environments Evolution in Toxic Environments: Quantitative Versus Major Gene Approaches (R. Woods A. Hoffmann) Review of Experimental Evidence for Physiological Costs of Tolerance to Toxicants (N. van Straalen A. Hoffmann) Multi-generation Effects at the Population Level: Fitness Maximisation and Optimal Allocation in a Nematode (J. Kammenga, et al.) Optimal Allocation, Life History and Heavy Metal Accumulation: a Dynamic Programming Model (M. Janczur, et al.) Preadapted Populations in Metal-polluted Environments (A. Rozen) Relationships between Enzymatic Response and Animal Population Demography in Polluted Environments (P. Migula) Tissue Changes in Animals and Their Population Effects (R. wiergosz) Open Problems and Recommendations for Risk Assessment Demographic Approaches in Ecotoxicology-Open Problems (J. Kammenga R. Laskowski) Implications for Ecological Risk Assessment: The Risk Quotient Life-cycle Approach (J. Kammenga) Index

Research paper thumbnail of Bacterial Opportunism in Fallow and Meadow Soils

Research paper thumbnail of Toxicokinetics of metals in the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus exposed to natural polluted soils – relevance of laboratory tests to the field situation

Environmental Pollution, 2014

The aim of this study was to estimate the bioavailability of essential (Zn, Cu) and non-essential... more The aim of this study was to estimate the bioavailability of essential (Zn, Cu) and non-essential metals (Cd, Pb) to the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus exposed to soils originating from a gradient of metal pollution in Southern Poland. Metal uptake and elimination kinetics were determined and related to soils properties. Experimental results were compared with tissue metal concentrations observed in earthworms from the studied transect. Cd and Pb were intensively accumulated by the earthworms, with very slow or no elimination. Their uptake rate constants, based on 0.01 M CaCl2-extractable concentrations in the soils, increased with soil pH. Internal concentrations of Cu and Zn were maintained by the earthworms at a stable level, suggesting efficient regulation of these metals by the animals. The estimated uptake and elimination kinetics parameters enabled fairly accurate prediction of metal concentrations reached within a life span of L. rubellus in nature.

Research paper thumbnail of Wing membrane and Fur as indicators of metal exposure and contamination of internal tissues in bats

Environmental Pollution

All European bats are protected by the EU and Associated Members legal regulations. Being insecti... more All European bats are protected by the EU and Associated Members legal regulations. Being insectivorous and top predators, they can be particularly exposed to persistent organic and inorganic pollutants. It is surprising how little is known about the impact of environmental pollutants on bats from physiological to populational levels. In this study we focused on contamination with trace metals of first-year bats from Kharkiv city, NE Ukraine. Tissues from the carcasses of two species, Nyctalus noctula (n = 20) and Eptesicus serotinus (n = 20), were used for metal analysis. The samples of external (wing membrane, fur) and internal (liver, lung, kidney, bones) tissues were analysed for contents of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd to see whether fur or wing membrane can be used as proxies for metal contamination of the vital internal tissues. In E. serotinus, significant positive correlations in Pb concentrations were found between all external and internal tissues. For Cd only, correlation between the fur and lung was found, for Cu between the fur and liver, and for Zn between the fur and kidney. In contrast, for N. noctula, only one such correlation was found - between Zn concentrations in the fur and kidney. The tissues differed significantly in concentrations of all studied metals, with no difference between the species. The results showed that the fur and wing membrane can be used as good proxies for Pb concentrations in internal organs of E. serotinus, but not necessarily for other metals or for N. noctula. The results for Pb are, however, encouraging enough to conclude that the topic is worth further studies, covering more species, a wider age range and more diverse environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Low impact of metal pollution on genetic variation in the earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra measured by allozymes

Pedobiologia, 2008

... Simonsen and Scott-Fordsmand (2004) found, by detecting esterase with a non-specific colorime... more ... Simonsen and Scott-Fordsmand (2004) found, by detecting esterase with a non-specific colorimetric method after the electrophoresis, that one homozygote ... The sites for earthworm collection were established along a forest transect, as used in other studies, stretching from 1.9 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Supporting non-target arthropods in agroecosystems: Modelling effects of insecticides and landscape structure on carabids in agricultural landscapes

Science of The Total Environment

We simulated relative effects of agricultural intensification on beetle populations. • Beetle pop... more We simulated relative effects of agricultural intensification on beetle populations. • Beetle population dynamics were assessed along a gradient of landscape heterogeneity. • Reducing the insecticide-driven lethality was a major mitigation measure. • Wide field margins supported beetles even with moderate use of insecticides. • Effectiveness of mitigation measures strongly depends on landscape heterogeneity.