Topics | Umweltbundesamt

Behaviour of volatile substances in flowing watersAfter being discharged into runoff ditches, organic chemicals are subjected, in manifold processes, to transformation, enrichment and elimination. Volatilisation from the water body is one of the major elimination processes by which specific chemicals are irreversibly removed from aquatic ecosystems. Studies have shown that quantification of volati... read more

The main objectives of the test phase (calibration phase) were to ensure that the plant’s basic functions were working properly, as well as to define key parameters. The experiences are documented in a technical-scientific manual, which will help researchers to become familiar with the opportunities offered by the FSA and provide important information for the planning of projects in the future. Du... read more

Retention of substances (sediments, nutrients, pollutants) in river flood meadowsIn 2002 and 2003, a working group of the Institute for Geographical Sciences at the Free University (FU) Berlin carried out a study on matter retention in river flood meadows. The background for this study was the renaturation of rivers and river flood meadows, something, which has become very topical following the re... read more

Effect of environmental factors on microbial indicators and pathogenic agentsHygienic-microbiological inspections of lakes and rivers used for bathing activities are carried out using microbial indicators (indicator bacteria and viruses), which enter the waters as pathogenic agents mainly via the discharge of municipal wastewater. Indicators such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal entero... read more

In June 2003, an experiment of the effect of Metazachlor on aquatic populations was carried out in the indoor stream and pond mesocosms by the Umweltbundesamt. Metazachlor, a herbicide, belongs to the family of alpha-chloracetamides and is used, among other things, to keep grasses and weeds in the cultivation of rape, cabbage and soy beans under control. Even when applied in the appropriate manner... read more

Behaviour and fate of an active ingredient of a herbicideThe main route of entry for pesticides (e.g. herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) into water bodies can be either surface runoff or aerial drift. Evaluation of the behaviour of pesticides in natural surface water, in particular after changed weather conditions, is difficult due to the diffuse routes of entry. In the FSA, studies of this kin... read more