Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemicals, Soil | Land, Water

Groundwater discharges of biocides from façades in urban regions

GRUBURG

Biocides, commonly used in building materials, are released through precipitation and can contaminate the groundwater. The study evaluates the transport of biocides through urban pathways — vegetated soils, permeable pavements, and infiltration systems — and gives recommendations for refining the European Emission Scenario Documents (ESD).The aim is to enhance groundwater protection in urban areas...read more

Climate | Energy

The relevance of autochthonous vs. allochthonous carbon in Blue Carbon ecosystems for climate change mitigation

As part of the research project FKZ 3722 42 510 0 ‘Climate protection measures in coastal regions and waters’

Blue Carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows, play a vital role in climate mitigation by storing atmospheric CO₂ in their soils.This paper highlights the critical need to distinguish between autochthonous (locally fixed) and allochthonous (externally sourced) carbon to ensure accurate carbon accounting. It states, that the inclusion of allochthonous carbon may over...read more

Climate | Energy

Potential of blue carbon for global climate mitigation - Factsheet

As part of the research project FKZ 3722 42 510 0 ‘Climate protection measures in coastal regions and waters’

Coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass meadows and tidal marshes, function as natural carbon sinks, thereby playing a vital role in the global carbon cycle. These Blue Carbon ecosystems have been found to be effective carbon storage mechanisms, whilst also providing a habitat for biodiversity and enhancing coastal resilience.This factsheet provides a comprehensive overview of the releva...read more

Chemicals

The impact of information gaps in the supply chain on environmental exposure - case study of a PBT substance

The ⁠REACH⁠ Regulation (EC 1907/2006) ensures chemical safety by requiring rigorous risk assessments before market entry. Safety data sheets (SDS) are vital for communicating safe usage guidelines, yet deficiencies are common, with up to 52% of SDSs found to be inadequate. This project aimed to identify gaps in SDS data by surveying actors across the supply chain with a specific focu...read more

Chemicals, Soil | Land

Designing a strategy based on toxicity evaluation to improve pesticide risk assessment for terrestrial amphibians (TerAmphiTox)

The UBA aims to contribute to the development of an EU guidance document on risk assessment for amphibians. As part of the project, data on the toxicity of various pesticides to amphibians were systematically researched, processed, and supplemented with its own experiments to establish a scientific basis for risk assessment. The impact of direct exposure through overspraying of amphibians and indi...read more

Climate | Energy, Water, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

The Wild Wild West in our Oceans?

The role of start-ups in marine CDR

Global efforts to reduce emissions remain inadequate which resulted in an increasing need for negative emission technologies that actively remove and permanently sequester CO₂ from the atmosphere.We highlight the rapid growth of commercial mCDR start-ups, despite limited research and potential irreversible harm to marine ecosystems. These activities appear uncoordinated, lack oversight, and show n...read more

Climate | Energy, Air, Waste | Resources, Soil | Land

Methane, the underestimated greenhouse gas

Sources, effects, mitigation options

Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. On top of this, methane is a key precursor for the formation of ground-level ozone. Ozone is linked to negative health effects whilst also damaging ecosystems and crops. Reducing methane emissions thus contributes to climate protection and also helps protect public health and ecosystems.For several years now, there have been...read more

Chemicals, Water

Input of plant protection products into groundwater via bank filtration

Literature research and recommendations for action

Plant protection products (PPPs) can be transported from the target area to other environmental compartments, e.g. groundwater. To minimize potential negative impacts, their environmental fate is assessed as part of the PPPs authorization process. Bank filtration describes the process where surface water infiltrates into groundwater systems, transporting dissolved or particulate compounds through...read more