Publications

Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) have been derived in a variety of different aquatic eco-systems worldwide to investigate accumulation patterns of environmentally relevant chemicals. Not only is the TMF interesting for chemicals’ risk assessment related questions, but also for monitoring aspects under the European Water Framework Directive (WFD).

This report describes activities by the Coordination Centre for Effects (CCE) since the CCE was transferred from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) to the German Environment Agency (UBA) in 2018.

A test concept for bioconcentration tests with the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca (HYBIT) was recently described. It was shown that the Hyalella bioconcentration factors (BCFs) derived for compounds with different hydrophobic characteristics (log Kow 2.4 – 7.8) show a strong correlation to those from fish tests.

In transformation tests with organic substances in soil non-extractable residues (NER) are formed which remain there as residues. Some can be released again into the environment in the long-term and should be considered in the persistent assessment. Besides substances properties and soil characteristics the proportion of NER strongly depends on the extraction procedure.

Soils play a central role in climate mitigation. They are both as a carbon sink and a source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). This report outlines the mitigation potential for GHG emissions of climate friendly soil management options at global, EU and German level.

Seit 2005 nutzt die Genfer Luftreinhaltekonvention (CLRTAP) ökologische Belastungsgrenzen (Critical Loads) um Wirkungen von Schwermetallen auf die menschliche Gesundheit und auf Ökosysteme zu beurteilen. Dafür sind kritische Konzentrationen in Umweltmedien festgelegt, die sogenannten Critical Limits.

This analysis is intended to contribute to classifying the effects of the introduction of the CBAM on the affected industrial sectors in Germany in relation to exports. It analyses the export intensity and the costs for the purchase of certificates compared to the average value of exports of the respective product group.

Environmental and sustainability-related data is becoming increasingly important for corporate success, not least because of rising regulatory requirements. The use of software solutions and digital technologies offers numerous potentials for process optimisation, decision support and improvement of environmental performance.

The intensity of heat islands in urban areas with many sealed surfaces and little vegetation is increasing due to climate change. This study investigated both how to mitigate this effect on affected neighbourhoods and how to provide agreeable indoor temperature, if possible without air conditioning.

A robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment is required for companies wishing to achieve taxonomy compliance under the EU Taxonomy Regulation with respect to significant contributions to climate adaptation for certain economic activities. The relevant legal requirements are defined in Annex 1, Appendix A of Delegated Regulation 2021/2139.

In 2021 UBA commissioned workshops to discuss how research outputs on climate resilient infrastructure systems could be more consistently transferred into practice of infrastructure operation. This paper presents barriers for successful transfer and provides recommendations to overcome them.

The aim of the study was to conduct an initial analytical survey of a small number of samples analyze the proportion of fossil carbon in sewage sludge and digester gas and to correlate it with other data collected in a sewage treatment plant.