Welcome to the website of the SETAC Advisory Group on Aquatic Macrophyte Ecotoxicology (AMEG)

2012 Aquatic Macrophyte Ecotoxicology Group Annual Report

Aims and scope

The SETAC Advisory Group AMEG (Aquatic Macrophyte Ecotoxicology Group) was established in June 2009 to provide guidance on all aspects of aquatic macrophyte testing in the laboratory and field as well as the use of macrophyte data in the risk assessment of chemicals. This group accomplishes these goals by serving as a forum for communication, co-operation, scientific discussion and collaboration between scientists in academia, business and government.

Within AMEG, we consider aquatic macrophytes to include all freshwater and saltwater higher plants as well as macroalgae species. These include emergent, floating-leaved, free-floating, and submerged forms of hydrophytes, amphiphytes and helophytes.

Objectives

The objectives of AMEG are to provide:

• Scientific advice
  • to provide a scientific basis for aquatic macrophyte testing and risk assessment including plant protection products, biocides and chemicals in general (e.g. EU, US and Canadian directives)
  • to provide a scientific basis for the use of aquatic macrophyte data in retrospective risk assessments (e.g. European Water Framework Directive and USA Clean Water Act)
• Practical guidance
  • to be actively involved in the development of guidance on aquatic macrophyte testing and aquatic macrophyte risk assessment in support of current and future legislation
• Communication and education
  • to build and extend a global network of macrophyte experts from academia, business and government
  • to provide an overview of ongoing activities and new initiatives in the subject area via the SETAC website and an email distribution list
  • to organize sessions (e.g. platform or poster) and short courses at SETAC meetings
  • to organize and actively participate in expert workshops

How to become a member of AMEG?

SETAC members and non-members can become a member of the AG by expressing their interest on their SETAC profile or by contacting the chair or co-chair.

For more information?

More information about AMEG can be found on the other pages of this website ("Group Pages") or by contacting the chair Gertie Arts (Gertie.Arts@wur.nl) or the co-chair Mark Hanson (hansonm@cc.umanitoba.ca).

Group Pages Index

• Group Organization
• AMEG Documents
• AMEG Working Groups
• Future Activities
• AMEG Background