Biosensors and Eco-toxicology

Sensors and biosensors as well as ecotoxicological tools like bio-analytical systems, bioassays and biomarkers provide us with detection systems for signaling a potential damage in the environment (environmental signaling). These responses of early recognition will prevent the eventual damage in the environmental matrices. Once an ecosystem damage has occurred, the remedial action processes for recovery could be expensive and pose certain logistical problems. Ideally, "early warning signals" in ecosystems using sensing systems (biosensors) and biochemical responses (biomarkers) as well as the classical effect-related bioassays would not only tell us the initial levels of damage, but these signals will also provide us with answers for the development of control strategies and precautionary measures. In order to understand the complexity of the structure of populations and processes behind environmental health, our efforts have to be directed to promote rapid and cost-effective new emerging parameters, such as effect-related parameters like biochemical responses (biomarkers) in the field of immunotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Environmental effects, e.g. genotoxicity, were detected in organisms from various "hot spots" and UV-B exposed fish embryos. One problem is always to find the relevant interpretation and risk assessment tools for the environment in the context of the reference areas.