FORURENS: Effects-directed identification of emerging substances

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Identifying new environmental pollutants is one of the greatest challenges that faces environmental scientists. This proposal will develop and apply advanced effects-directed analysis (EDA) techniques that will integrate modern quantitative receptor based reporter assays with advanced analytical chemistry, to identify emerging substances in samples collected from the Norwegian environment. Through the development of an internationally renowned group of scientists an unique learning environment has been cr eated for a PhD candidate whom will develop and apply the techniques. Samples from the Artic, upland areas and Norways largest lake will be first screened using receptor based in vitro assays and EDA used to identify the compounds responsible. The output will be a list of emerging substances known to occur in the Norwegian environment and have specific ecotoxicological effects (Estrogeniic, anti-estrogenic, androgenic, anti-androgenic, thyroid hormone receptor agonists and antagonists, antibiotic and diox in-like toxic effects). The output will be of outstanding value to monitoring authorities and the environmental science community at large.