Contact

Prof. Dr. Christoph Koch

Titel
Prof. Dr.
Firstname
Christoph
LastName
Koch
Position
Professur für Technische Chemie und Umweltchemie, Prodekan für Internationales des FB WI
Contact
  • Raum 03.03.34
Christoph Koch

Office Hours

This semesterWednesdays (even weeks), 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Wednesdays (odd weeks), 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
and by appointment via email
during the breakby appointment via email

Additional features

Associate Dean for International Affairs

Program Director for the “Environmental Engineering,” “Environmental Engineering International,” and “Industrial Engineering International” programs

Member of the Examination Board of the Department of Industrial Engineering

Further information

Research Focus:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Ecotoxicology

Selected Projects:

  • Thuringia Teaches and Learns Sustainably (ThüLeNa), funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation in the amount of €306,000 (total budget €2,500,000). Project duration: April 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027
  • Digital Journey Through Career Fields, funded by a Fellowship for Innovations in Digital Higher Education (Stifterverband & TMWWDG) in the amount of €30,008. Project duration: October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024
  • Creation of podcasts as a brief assessment of learning objectives for a lecture, funded by the eTeach Network Thuringia in the amount of €2,850. Project duration: April 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023
  • Soil analysis of urban gardens in Thuringia using citizen science (BEST), funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation in the amount of €150,000. Project duration: September 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024 (www.expedition-boden.de)

Laboratory equipment:

  • Ion chromatograph with conductivity detector (IC)
  • High-performance liquid chromatograph with diode array detector (HPLC)
  • Flame atomic absorption spectrometer with continuous light source (AAS)
  • Spectrophotometer
  • TOC and TNb analyzer
  • Automatic compact titrator
  • Portable X-ray fluorescence detector
  • Various sample preparation devices (microwave digestion system, cutting mill, etc.)

Current courses:

Module typeModule titleLevel
Required moduleChemistryBachelor
Required modulePhysical ChemistryBachelor
Required moduleEnvironmental ChemistryBachelor
Required moduleAnalytical ChemistryBachelor
Required moduleEnvironmental AnalysisBachelor


Selected Bachelor's & Master's Theses:

  • Sustainability in Industrial Processes: An Example of Proppant Manufacture From Bauxite Residue
    Master's Thesis, May 2025
  • Validation and Verification of Selected Organochlorine Pesticides Using Gas Chromatography with Subsequent EC Detection
    Bachelor's Thesis, February 2025
  • Development of Data Processing Methodology for the Analysis of Methanol-to-Olefin Products
    Bachelor's Thesis, September 2024
  • Occurrence and Distribution of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Estuarine and Seawater
    Bachelor's Thesis, September 2024
  • Implementation of a Method for the Detection of Microplastics in Soil Samples Using the Fluorescent Marker Nil Red
    Bachelor's Thesis, August 2024
  • Determination of Selected Heavy Metals for the Assessment of the Agricultural Usability of Filter Pellets for Biogas Desulfurization
    Bachelor's Thesis, July 2024
  • Comparison of pottery granules and bamboo-based activated carbon as adsorbents for removing lead from drinking water
    Bachelor’s thesis, July 2024
  • Microbial electrolysis cell: Development and testing of a pilot system
    Bachelor’s thesis, July 2024
  • Evaluation of styrene recovery from expanded polystyrene in composite thermal insulation systems via pyrolysis and subsequent distillation
    Bachelor's thesis, January 2024
  • Fundamentals of single-step dimethyl ether synthesis using multifunctional catalyst systems
    Bachelor’s thesis, October 2023
  • Design of sustainable greywater treatment systems in Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan
    Bachelor’s thesis, September 2023
  • Fabrication and testing of Pd-Ag membranes for H2 separation on ceramic substrates using electroless plating (ELP)
    Bachelor’s thesis, July 2023
  • Development of a sampling system for contaminant and gas analysis of feed and product gas streams in high-temperature electrolysis plants
    Bachelor’s thesis, June 2023
  • Evaluation of process parameters for respiration tests to characterize wastewater and its sub-streams
    Bachelor’s thesis, February 2023
  • Implementation of the TOP assay method to visualize a previously hidden fraction of PFAS
    Bachelor's thesis, November 2022

Guidelines for writing bachelor’s and master’s theses in the field of “Technical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry” can be downloaded HERE.

NOTE: The course materials can be found on our Moodle server.

Downloads of free teaching and learning materials:

Journal articles:

  • Koch, C.; Peter, M.: Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science. Environmental Challenges 2025, 18, 101096. 10.1016/j.envc.2025.101096
  • Ziemann, C.; Schulz, F.; Koch, C.; Solvang, M.; Bitsch, A.: Steps forward in toxicological in vitro screening of mineral wools considering morphology as an integrated part. Archives of Toxicology 2024, 98, 3949-3971. doi: 10.1007/s00204-024-03855-7
  • Solvang, M.; Okhrimenko, D.V.; Koch, C.: Investigation of the occurrence of binder material on airborne respirable mineral wool fibers. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene 2023, 20, 240-253. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2205470
  • Smollich, E., Döbbeler, E., Müller-Geipiel, T., Stratmann, L., Koch, C., Merkus, V.I., Kostka, K., Okhrimenko, D.V., Solvang, M., Nachev, M., Zimmermann, S., Schmidt, T.C., Sures, B.: Assessment of acute and chronic ecotoxicological effects of aqueous eluates of stone wool insulation materials. Environmental Sciences Europe 2023, 35, 24. doi: 10.1186/s12302-023-00727-2
  • Koch, C.; Okhrimenko, D.V.; Solvang, M.; Aznar, A.; Pezennec, E.; Chaudan, E.; Magrane Francesch, J.; Lindberg, P.; Herault, P.; Alami Badissi, A.: Comment on Critical Choices in Predicting Stone Wool Biodurability: Lysosomal Fluid Compositions and Binder Effects. Chemical Research in Toxicology 2021, 34, 1695-1696. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00135
  • Koch, C.; Alami Badissi, A.; Basketter, D.A.; McFadden, J.P.; White, J.R.: Comment on “Occupational psoriasis after exposure to rockwool”. Contact Dermatitis 2021, 84, 357-358. doi: 10.1111/cod.13791
  • Koch, C.; Sures, B.: Degradation of brominated polymeric flame retardants and effects of generated decomposition products. Chemosphere 2019, 227, 329-333. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.052
  • Koch, C.; Sures, B.: Ecotoxicological characterization of possible degradation products of the polymeric flame retardant “Polymeric FR” using algae and daphnia OECD tests. Science of the Total Environment 2019, 656, 101-107. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.207
  • Koch, C.; Nachev, M.; Klein, J.; Köster, D.; Schmitz, O.J.; Schmidt, T.C.; Sures, B.: Response to comment on “Degradation of the polymeric brominated flame retardant “Polymeric FR” by heat and UV exposure”. Environmental Science & Technology 2019, 53, 11058. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03971
  • Koch, C.; Nachev, M.; Klein, J.; Köster, D.; Schmitz, O.J.; Schmidt, T.C.; Sures, B.: Degradation of the polymeric brominated flame retardant “Polymeric FR” by heat and UV exposure. Environmental Science & Technology 2019, 53, 1453-1462. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03872
  • Kresmann, S.; Arokia, H.R.; Koch, C.; Sures, B.: Ecotoxicological potential of the biocides terbutryn, octhilinone, and methylisothiazolinone: Underestimated risk from biocidal pathways? Science of the Total Environment 2018, 625, 900–908. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.280
  • Koch, C.; Sures, B.: Environmental Concentrations and Toxicology of 2,4,6-Tribromophenol. Environmental Pollution 2018, 233, 706-713. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.127
  • Koch, C.; Dundua, A.; Aragon-Gomez, J.; Nachev, M.; Stephan, S.; Willach, S.; Ulbricht, M.; Schmitz, O.J.; Schmidt, T.C.; Sures, B.: Degradation of polymeric brominated flame retardants: Development of an analytical approach using PolyFR and UV irradiation. Environmental Science & Technology 2016, 50, 12912–12920. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04083
  • Koch, C.; Schmidt-Kötters, T.; Rupp, R.; Sures, B.: Review of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) with a focus on legislation and recent publications concerning toxicokinetics and -dynamics. Environmental Pollution 2015, 199, 26–34. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.01.011

Contributions to anthologies:

  • Koch, C.: Introduction: Chair of Technical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Department of Industrial Engineering, Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena. German Chemical Society (GDCh): Communications of the Division of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology 4/2024, 164–165
  • Houghton, C.; Koch, C.; Solvang, M.: Rock/Stone Wool (mineral wool). Patty’s Toxicology, Seventh Edition, September 2023. Wiley, New Jersey. doi: 10.1002/0471125474.tox152
  • Koch, C.: The Environmental Behavior of HBCD and Resulting Legal Consequences. German Chemical Society (GDCh): Communications of the Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Division 4/2015, 113–115

Conference presentations:

  • Peter, M., Koch, C.: Digging deeper: How soil citizen science affects participants’ scientific identity. Australian Citizen Science Association Conference (CitSciOZ25 2025), Melbourne, Australia, October 13–15, 2025
  • Ziemann, C.; Schulz, F.; Koch, C.; Solvang, M.; Bitsch, A.: Methodological approaches for toxicological in vitro screening of mineral wools using normal rat alveolar macrophages and mesothelial cells. 10th German Pharm-Tox Summit, Hanover, Germany, March 25–28, 2025
  • Hundt, C., Koch, C., Leibbrandt, P.: Engineering and Digital Teaching: Opportunities, Pitfalls, and Open Questions. eTeach Annual Conference, Jena, Germany, November 4–5, 2024
  • Koch, C.: Investigation of inorganic pollutants in private gardens in Thuringia using citizen science. Environment, Giessen, Germany, September 8–11, 2024
  • Smollich, E., Döbbeler, E., Müller-Geipiel, T., Stratmann, L., Koch, C., Merkus, V.I., Okhrimenko, D.V., Solvang, M., Nachev, M., Zimmermann, S., Schmidt, T.C., Sures, B.: Assessment of acute and chronic ecotoxicological effects of aqueous eluates of stone wool insulation materials. SETAC Europe Annual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, May 1, 2023
  • Koch, C.: Importance of the biosolubility of mineral wool fibers. Conference on Synthetic Mineral Fibers – Mineral Wool Waste (Austrian Water and Waste Management Association, ÖWAV), Leoben, Austria, November 4, 2020
  • Koch, C.: Mineral wool insulation and circular economy progress. Online Seminar of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna, Austria, October 21, 2020
  • Koch, C.: Toxicity of degradation products of the commercially used “Polymeric FR” following UV irradiation and heat. 38th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (DIOXIN 2018), Krakow, Poland, August 26–31, 2018
  • Koch, C.: 2,4,6-Tribromophenol – Review regarding its environmental concentrations and toxicology. 37th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (DIOXIN 2017), Vancouver, Canada, August 20–25, 2017
  • Koch, C.: Science and regulation of polymers: A look at PolyFR. The Science and Policy of Organohalogens in consumer products (Workshop prior to DIOXIN 2017) organized by Green Science Policy Institute, Berkeley, California, August 20, 2017
  • Koch, C.: Degradation of polymeric brominated flame retardants: Development of an analytical approach using PolyFR and UV irradiation. 8th International Symposium on Flame Retardants (BFR 2017), York, United Kingdom, May 7–10, 2017
  • Koch, C.: Method development for determining the degradation of polymeric brominated flame retardants using PolyFR and UV radiation as an example. 21st SETAC Annual Meeting German Language Branch (GLB), Tübingen, Germany, September 5–8, 2016
  • Koch, C.: Degradation of polymeric brominated flame retardants: Development of an analytical approach using PolyFR and UV irradiation. 36th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (DIOXIN 2016), Florence, Italy, August 28–September 2, 2016
  • Koch, C.: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) – still a risk for the future despite the ban? German Chemical Society (GDCh) – 2nd Forum of Young Environmental Scientists, Blomberg, Germany, June 22–24, 2015
  • Koch, C.: Review of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) with a focus on legislation and recent publications concerning toxicokinetics and -dynamics. 7th International Symposium on Flame Retardants (BFR 2015), Beijing, China, April 21–24, 2015

Posters at conferences:

  • Peter, M., Koch, C.: Digging In: What we have learned from a soil citizen science project in Europe. Australian Citizen Science Association Conference (CitSciOZ25 2025), Melbourne, Australia, October 13–15, 2025
  • Peter, M., Koch, C.: Transitions in Science Education: Sustainability and Digital Advances. European Science Education Research Association (ESERA 2025), Copenhagen, Denmark, August 25–29, 2025
  • Koch, C.: Digital Journey Through Career Fields. eTeach Annual Conference, Jena, Germany, November 4–5, 2024
  • Peter, M., Koch, C.: "Expedition Soil" – Investigating the Soil in Our Vegetable Gardens Together. Forum Citizen Science, Hamburg, Germany, October 8–10, 2024
  • Koch, C.: Digital Journey Through Career Fields. eTeach Dialogue Day, Jena, Germany, May 30, 2024
  • Peter, M.; Koch, C.: Expedition Boden: The Soil Expedition. European Citizen Science Conference (ECSA 2024), Vienna, Austria, April 3–6, 2024
  • Koch, C.: “Chemistry Explained” – a chemistry podcast for learning objective assessment. eTeach Annual Conference, Erfurt, Germany, November 15–16, 2023
  • Okhrimenko, C.V.; Botner, J.A.; Riis, H.K.; Koch, C.; Solvang, M.: In vitro tests of stone wool fiber dissolution. 11th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, Maastricht, Netherlands, August 28–September 2, 2021
  • Koch, C.: Toxicity of degradation products of the polymeric flame retardant “Polymeric FR” following heat treatment and UV irradiation. Environment 2018 – Annual Meeting of the SETAC German Language Branch (GLB) and the German Chemical Society (GDCh), Münster, Germany, September 9–12, 2018
  • Koch, C.: PolyFR – An Opportunity for the Future? German Chemical Society (GDCh) – 2nd Forum of Young Environmental Scientists, Blomberg, Germany, June 22–24, 2015