river

Water

Rivers

Our waters are used in a variety of ways, these influence their status. The results of the monitoring of the EC Water Framework Directive show it needs forceful measures in the whole catchment and at the rivers to meet the good status. read more

Water

Chemicals

The group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exceeds the values of the environmental quality standards for chemicals regulated in the German Ordinance on Surface Waters. read more

The UBA

Pesticides

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). read more

The UBA

Metals

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. read more

Water

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

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. read more

Water

Nutrients in watercourses

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. read more

The Umweltbundesamt

For our environment