Dr. Annika Jahnke

Annika Jahnke investigates the chemical activity of mixtures of environmental pollutants using silicone "chemometers" to determine their distribution and possible effects in different components of the environment.

Brief information about the project

• Acronym and title: CHEMO-RISK Chemometers for in situ risk assessment of mixtures of pollutants
• Principal Investigator: Dr. Annika Jahnke
• Host institution: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ Leipzig
• Funding line and year: Starting Grants 2016
• Project information on CORDIS

Some of the 100,000 registered chemicals enter the environment and form complex mixtures with other chemicals. Depending on their longevity and properties, environmental chemicals distribute differently among different components of the environment, resulting in variable mixtures.

Despite usually low concentrations, chemicals with identical mechanisms of action can cause effects together. This is not taken into account in current regulations, partly due to a lack of practical tools. CHEMO-RISK aims to improve the current risk assessment of individual compounds.

We are developing "chemometer" samplers that collect mixtures so that we can transfer them to the laboratory. There, individual chemicals will be analyzed and potential effects investigated and evaluated. The final product should be a novel concept for risk assessment of mixtures of environmental pollutants that is applicable to both ecosystems and human health.

"The ERC grant will allow me to develop a novel, comprehensive approach to risk assessment of mixtures of environmental pollutants. This has relevance for ecosystems and humans."