Field of research

Research Profile

The Department of Environmental Analysis conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface of analytical chemistry, environmental sciences, and ecotoxicology.
Its mission is to identify, quantify, and understand the behaviour of chemical contaminants in the environment — from their sources and transformation pathways to their ecological effects and potential risks to living organisms.

Since 2023, the Department has been headed by Assoc. Prof. Anna Białk-Bielińska, DSc, Eng., representing a younger generation of environmental chemists and a member of the scientific school established by Prof. Piotr Stepnowski.
She continues and develops his research directions while integrating classical analytical chemistry with modern ecotoxicological approaches and environmental risk assessment. Her current research focuses on the fate, transformation, and toxicity of pharmaceuticals and other micropollutants in various environmental compartments.

From 2006 to 2023, the Department was led by Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, currently Rector of the University of Gdańsk (since 2020). Professor Stepnowski is a recognized authority in environmental and green chemistry, author and co-author of more than three hundred scientific publications, and supervisor of numerous doctoral dissertations.
Professor Stepnowski’s scientific accomplishments and academic leadership have profoundly shaped the Department’s research profile, providing both a foundation and ongoing inspiration for studies on environmental pollution and sustainability.

Research Topics

1. Fate and Transformation of Environmental Contaminants

• Studies on the occurrence and transformation of pharmaceuticals, ionic liquids, next-generation pesticides, and other micropollutants in water, soil, and sediments.
• Investigation of degradation processes under environmental conditions.
• Identification of transformation products and assessment of their persistence and toxicity.

2. Development of Analytical Methods

• Development of advanced analytical procedures based on chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS, LC–MS/MS) for the determination of trace-level contaminants.
• Application of innovative sample-preparation approaches, including passive dosimetry techniques.
• Validation and implementation of environmental monitoring protocols for real environmental samples.

3. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Risk Assessment

• Evaluation of the effects of pharmaceuticals and other micropollutants on aquatic and soil organisms.
• Integration of chemical analyses with biological testing to assess potential ecological risks.

4. Bioanalytical Profiling and Chemotaxonomy

• Analysis of natural bioactive compounds in plants and insects.
• Application of lipidomic and metabolomic approaches in medical and environmental research, including health assessment and the search for disease biomarkers.

Our Mission

The Department of Environmental Analysis strives to:

• Develop reliable analytical tools for environmental monitoring;
• Understand the behavior and impact of pollutants in the ecosystems;
• Apply chemical knowledge to practical actions in environmental protection and sustainable development.