Pesticides are the active substances used in plant protection products and biocides. They are toxic in especially to plants (herbicides), insects (insecticides) or fungi (fungicides).
Persistent organic pollutants are subject to long-range transport and also occur in the environment far from their source. They accumulate in the suspended solids of watercourses and in the food chain. They are toxic to humans and wildlife.
Metals and selenium are found in the environment in various different compounds. Their geogenic concentrations (background concentrations ) vary. Some metals and selenium are essential for organisms at low concentrations.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients for aquatic plants (algae, macrophytes). Their high concentration causes excessive growth especially of algae (Eutrophication). Rivers transport nitrogen and phosphorus into lakes and North sea and Baltic sea and influence its nutrient concentration.
The UBA carries out research in its own laboratories on the effects of plant protection products, biocides, pharmaceutical drugs or industrial chemicals on the environment. Its research answers questions such as: How do these substances impact individual organisms in ecosystems? How are they distributed in soil, water and air? Is their effectiveness sufficient to control articulata and rodents?
