Dick Vethaak
Prof Vethaak has more than 30 years experience in the field of ecotoxicology and water quality issues of delta and marine waters. He received his doctorate degree in biology from the University of Amsterdam. He is a European Registered Toxicologist and a part-time professor of Ecotoxicology at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University Amsterdam. His current research interests include:
- Emerging threats, such as endocrine disruptors, nanoparticles, and chemical mixtures
- Ecological indicators for aquatic ecosystem health assessment resulting from chemical stress
- Ecotoxicology of marine litter and microplastics
- Trophic transfer, bioaccumulation and effects of chemical contaminants in food webs
- Innovative technologies for pollution monitoring and control
- Integrated environmental assessment methods.
He is editor of several books and published about 90 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and more than 200 reports, conference contributions and other articles. His citation Hirsh’s h-index in Web of Science is 29.
Working experience
| 2009 | VU Amsterdam | Endowed professor of ecotoxicology. |
| 2008 | Deltares | Senior specialist (topic water quality, ecotoxicology and risk assessment). |
| 2003 - 2007 | RWS - National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management (RIKZ) | Head of ecotoxixology section. |
| 1997 - 2003 | RWS - RIKZ | Senior advisor / specialist ecotoxicology. |
| 1991 - 1997 | RWS - RIKZ | Senior project leader ecotoxicology. |
| 1989 - 1991 | RWS - Tidal Waters Division (DGW) | Project leader environmental chemistry. |
| 1983 - 1989 | National Institute for Fishery Research (RIVO) | Project leader. |
| 1982 | EC, DG XII, Brussels | Research assistant. |
| 1981 - 1982 | University of Amsterdam | Junior scientist. |
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FP7 EU CLEAN SEA.
The Netherlands, 2012 - 2016
Towards a Clean, Litter-Free European Marine Environment through Scientific Evidence, Innovative Tools and Good Governance. Participant, involved in various WPs.
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INTERREG IVA MICRO
Southern North Sea and French Channel, 2012 - 2014
Investigating the extent of the microplastic pollution and the risk for marine organims. Field and lavoratory research. Together with EV-ILVO, Cefas, Ifremer, CNRS and IVM. Participant and WP leader.
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ICON, a practical demonstration on integrated chemical and biological effect monitoring. Assessment of data and publication in 2012/13. Member steering committee.
North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean Sea, 2008 - 2013
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Deltares and IVM-VU: a desk study and expert workshop on microplastics pollution in the North Sea. Commissioned by the Dutch government. Project leader.
The Netherlands, 2010 - 2011
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Desk and field study of the status of dioxin and other organic pollutants in the Western Scheldt and the implications for human and environmental health. Commissioned by the Dutch government. Advisor.
The Netherlands, 2006 - 2008
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FP6 EU FIRE risk assessment of brominated flame retardants as suspected endocrine disruptors for human and wildlife health. Participant. Leading flatfish exposure studies.
The Netherlands, 2004 - 2006
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ICES BECPELAG International workshop aimed at assessing techniques for monitoring the effects of contaminants on marine pelagic ecosystems. Member steering committee.
North Sea, 2002 - 2006
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LOES. A nationwide investigation into the occurrence and effects of estrogens and xenoestrogens in the aquatic environment of the Netherlands. Initiator, project leader and coordinator.
The Netherlands, 1999 - 2002
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ICES/IOC BREMERHAVEN sea-going workshop on assessment of chemical contamination and their biological effects on marine organisms along a pollution gradient in the North Sea. Co-coordinator
North Sea, 1991 - 1993
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VISEX. A large-scale mesocosm experiment to investigate the causal relationships between sedimentary chemical contaminants and liver cancer in flat fish. Project leader.
The Netherlands, 1990 - 1993
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Guidance on integrated monitoring and assessment of chemicals and biological effects. Advice to OSPAR.
2012
Davis and Vethaak (eds) ICES Cooperate Research Report no 313, 277 pp
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Effects of cumulative stress on fish health near freshwater outlet sluices into the sea.
2011
Vethaak et al., Integrated Environmental Assessment and Managment 7: 445-58.
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Emerging contaminant threats and challenges in ecotoxicology.
2010
Inaugural lecture, VU University Amsterdam, 3L Drukkerij BV Rotterdam, 44 pp.
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Review of impact of chemical contaminants on pelagic ecosystems.
2011
Hylland and Vethaak. Book chapter in Ecological Impacts of Toxic Chemicals. Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. pp. 271-87.
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Using biological effects tools to define Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
2010
Lyons, Thain, Hylland, Davis, Vethaak. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60: 1647-51.
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A guide to toxicity assessment and monitoring effects following marine oil spills in European waters.
2010
Martínez-Gómez, Vethaak, et al. ICES Journal of Marine Science 67: 1105-18.
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Evaluation of three-year monitoring with biomarkers in fish following the Prestige oil spill (N Spain).
2009
Martinez-Gomez, Campillo, Fernández, Valdés, Benedicto, Sánchez, Vethaak. Chemosphere 74: 613-20.
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Long-term trends in the prevalence of cancer and major diseases among flatfish in the S.E. North Sea as indicators of changing ecosystem health.
2009
Vethaak et al. Environmental Science and Technology, 43: 2151-58.
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Contaminants in marine ecosystems: developing an integrated indicator framework using biological effects techniques.
2008
Thain, Vethaak and Hylland. Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1508 -14.
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Biological Effects of Contaminants in Marine Pelagic Ecosystems.
2006
Hylland, Lang, Vethaak (eds). SETAC Press, Brussels, Belgium. 475 pp. Peer-reviewed book.