Persistente organische Schadstoffe in Böden, Gewässern und in Firn der Region nördliches Piringebirge (Bulgarien)

Systematic environmental screenings are still the exception in South-Eastern Europe. Especially, there is a decisive lack of information concerning the occurrence and behaviour of xenobiotic and toxic compounds like volatile-and non volatile halogenated organics, suppressed by the surrogate AOX, synthetic chelating agents, pesticides, like DDT as well as chlorate in the biosphere. The analysis of soils, waters and firns of a representative area in Bulgaria, the Pirin mountains, indicate a relatively low back ground pollution. The accumulation of the xenobiotics in this high mountain region is recognised to be low. Nevertheless, traces of pesticides and chelating agents like EDTA and NTA in ice (firns) and soils were found. The surrogate AOX should be a parameter, suitable for routine environmental screenings of such areas.     

Chlorcarbazole in Böden

Goal and Scope

In soil samples taken from several locations throughout Bavaria, the detection of p,p′-DDT by GC/MS was impeded by a superimposed peak. The authenticity of this compound, which has been identified as dichlorocarbazole by mass spectra databases, is confirmed and some characteristics of its occurrence in soils are described.

Methods

The authenticity of the unknown compound has been checked by comparing the low resolution mass spectra and chromatographic retention times with those of standard compounds. Some methodical studies concerning extraction and clean-up were also carried out.

Results and Conclusion

Mass spectra and retention of the unknown compound are identical with that of the 3,6-dichlorocarbazole standard compound; additionally, a second chlorocarbazole was found with mass spectrum and retention similar to 3-chlorocarbazole. In many topsoils (A-horizons) and subsoils (B-horizons) from 200 locations of different land-uses, the dichlorocarbazole could be detected. In contrast to PAH and other POPs, maximum concentrations occurred in the A- and upper B-horizons of forest soils rather than in the organic layers. Assuming the environmental distribution properties of the chlorocarbazoles to be similar to those of the PAH, this could indicate that the chlorocarbazoles are not deposited from the atmosphere as a result of anthropogenic activities but might be generated by natural processes in situ.

Recommendation and Perspective

To our knowledge, the occurrence of chlorocarbazoles in soils of unpolluted sites has not been previously described. Their widespread occurrence in relatively high concentrations and their detection using analytical standard procedures is surprising and requires further examination.     

Verunreinigte Böden

This article discusses the evaluative criteria which are applied for the assessment of contaminated soils. Guide values for materials in the soil (reference values, test values and action levels). Such guide values can be derived based upon either functional or constitutional criteria. The leachate from the soil must be analyzed for noxious materials in order to ensure the conservation of both ground- and surface-waters. Furthermore, existing concepts and drafts for evaluating soil contamination are discussed. The great diversity of the 37 regulatory publications for evaluating soil contamination is due to 1. different purposes these guidelines are aimend at, and 2. varying philosophies with regard to the degree of safety which is considered to be acceptable:

1. The approach of the LAGA (Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Abfall-German federal cooperative for waste regulation) is to merely avert dangerous effects of polluted land rather than to take precautionary measures.
2. The approach of the state of Baden-Württemberg is to combine precautionary activities and defensive procedures in one scheme with the technical and financial feasibility as criteria for the final decision.

A summary of the valid legislation is discussed, based on the specific regulatory works of the individual German states:

- The federal soil protection act and the directives based on it

- Inherent problems with deriving test values from basic toxicological data as well as the question of a tolerable cancer risk level

The procedure of linking the test values with a concrete danger to health that was designed for the federal soil protection act is discussed and compared with an alternative procedure. A presentation is given of the LABO (Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Bodenschutz — German federal and state cooperative on soil conservation) utilization concept for soils: The use of test values for assessing soil materials with regard to particular utilization goals. The article quotes the ?Guideline for monitoring the success in soil cleanup operations” as compiled by the GDCh working group on ?Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology” (1996). This guideline provides a review of the evaluatory concepts applied in the German states of Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hessen, Baden-Württemberg, as well as those of the German federal cooperative for waste regulation (LAGA). The respective procedures and specifications of Holland, Canada, the USA are also noted in this guideline.     

Bakterielle Mineralisierung von Dibenzofuran,Dibenzo-p-dioxin und 1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorbenzol in Böden

Quantitative degradation of dibenzofuran (DBF), dibenzo-p-dioxin (DBD), and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorbenzene (TeCB) by the bacterial strains sphingomonas sp. HH 69, sphingomonas sp. RW1 and pseudomonas sp. PS 14 was investigated by radio-tracer techniques in liquid cultures and especially in samples of different soils. Pure strains converted DBF, DBD and TeCB up to 80% to CO₂ within few days. This degradation occurred not only in aerated liquid cultures but also in heterogeneous soils, with low levels of other pollutatns at favourable pH-values. Rate and degree of the mineralization of DBF, DBD and TeCB were independent of the DBF-, DBD-, or TeCB-concentration in the soils within a broad range. There was obviously a close correlation between the starting concentration of active cells (starting bacterial count) and the rate of degradation of the test substances in soil; by raising the starting bacterial count in the soil samples, mineralization of DBF, DBD, and TeCB, respectively, was clearly accelerated. However, under nearly the same coniditions in more acid soils (pH-values < 4) no significant degradation of DBF, DBD, and TeCB to CO₂ took place. As expected, this difficulty can be overcome by mixing CaCO₂ into the acid soils (liming). Easily utilizable substances like peptone, triolein, and glucose added as special carbon and energy sources to low contaminated soils, had only a small—if any—effect on the mineralization of DBF, DBD, and TeCB. In soils contaminated by a mixture of pollutants, the bacterial strains could develop their degradation capacity only to a limited extent and showed different degradation effects depending on the basic type of contamination. The efficiency of the degradation specialists was thus dependent on the “Chemical Environment” (type and concentration of contaminants present).     

Die ökologische Bewertung von Seeufern in Deutschland

Goal and Scope

Details about the ecological function of lake shores as ecotones between land and lakes are not well-known. These ecotones are also heavily exploited and, in part, considerably changed. Whereas anthropogenic nutrient loading is decreasing, structural changes are increasing. Unfortunately, there is a deficit in methods of evaluation and decision processes.

Main Focus

Even the EU-water framework directive was no remedy for this deficit, as lake shores were included only implicitly. In this article several evaluation methods and their conceptual groundwork are presented. However, these methods were not developed for lake shore research. Therefore, criteria are proposed which could fulfill the specific demands of lake shore assessments. The management of lakes shores should consider structural and biological parameters, and be agreeable to local residents.

Results and Conclusions

In addition to conventional biodiversity methods, the ecology of lake shores could also be represented by a functional food net, for example in benthic invertebrates. But even quantification of biodiversity alone creates many problems. A simple biodiversity index cannot meet all the demands placed on a method of evaluation in complex situations, especially when coupled with additional information on structure, practicability, costs, etc. For these reasons, assessments for future management cannot be based on such an index.

Outlook

A possible approach to include this complexity in assessments is to apply mathematical models and theoretical order concepts.     

Cäsium-137 in Böden saarländischer Waldökosysteme

Scopes and main features

In order to explain the behaviour of the artificial radioisotope¹³⁷Cs towards landscape resources in the Saar-Lor-Lux-Region, the cross-border region between southwestern Germany/ Saarland, France/Lorraine and Luxembourg, regional distribution as well as downward translocation and depth functions of¹³⁷Cs in the main soil substrates of forest ecosystems in the Saarland were investigated.

Results

The study shows that the highest¹³⁷Cs activities are found in the north of the Saarland, whereas the south and south-eastern regions show distinctly lower concentrations of¹³⁷Cs. Migration rates range between 0.25 cm/a and 1.0 cm/a. On an average, the highest migration rates were found in the clayey-silty substrates of the lime stone areas in theMuschelkalk regions (Middle Triassic) (0.66 cm/a), followed by the loamy substrates of Lower Permian clastic sediments (Unterrotliegendes) (0.53 cm/a) and the sandy substrates of theBuntsandstein areas (Lower Triassic sandstone) (0.41 cm/a). 90 to 95% of the¹³⁷Cs activities in the clay-poor soils of the Unterrotliegendes and the Buntsandstein were traced in the upper 10 cm of the humus topsoil. The substrates of the lime stone areas (Muschelkalk), in contrast to this, reveal a¹³⁷Cs activity of only 70–76% at the same depth.

Conclusions

Due to the fact that the primary and secondary pores of the soil pore system, in their function as translocation pathways, decrease with increasing soil depth, a significant reduction in the migration rates of¹³⁷Cs can be expected with increasing soil depth. On the other hand, the maximal migration depth of 40 cm found in shallow soils on jointed parent material, as well as on sites with high groundwater tables, implies a possible contamination of near-surface groundwater.

Future outlook

Based on the results of this study, a permanent monitoring of¹³⁷Cs was added to the long-term Soil Monitoring Program run by the Federal Administrative Office of Environment of the Saarland (Landesamt für Umweltschutz des Saarlandes)     

Phthalatkonzentrationen in Böden naturnaher Standorte des Sollings (Niedersachsen)

The phthalat concentrations in soil samples from the Solling (Ecological Research Project Solling) were measured. The samples were collected from a beech and a spruce forest and aTrisetum flavescens meadow. The distance from the tree trunks and the different horizons were taken into consideration as well. Dimethylphthalat, diethylphthalat, dibutylphthalat, butylbenzylphthalat, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalat and dioctylphthalat were determinated using GC/MS. From the six phthalates investigated, four were detected in the samples. Dimethyl and diethylphthalat were found at very low concentrations in only one sample. Dibutyl- and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalat were detected in eight of 21 samples. No phthalates were found in the samples from theTrisetum flavescens meadow. Two of the nine samples from the beech forest showed phthalates. In six of the nine samples from the spruce forest phthalates were detected. Phthalate concentrations in the spruce forest were always higher than those found in the beech forest.     

Konzentration und Verteilung von Platingruppenelementen (PGE) in Böden

In Germany automobile exhaust control by platinum-group element (PGE) loaded catalysts is now well established. By mechanical or chemical attrition, these catalysts could act as a potential source for a significant increase of PGE abundances in the environment. During a recent research program concentrations and distributions of PGE in different soils were measured along the highway A66 Frankfurt-Wiesbaden. 71 nearsurface soil samples were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The results revealed average abundances of 10 ppb platinum and 3 ppb ruthenium. Palladium as well as rhodium were below the analytical detection limit of 2 ppb. With increasing distance from the highway edge PGE values gradually decreased. Only the upmost soil layer, down to 20 cm depth, contains measurable PGE concentrations. Results: There are irregular PGE concentrations of anthropogenic origin in different soils along the highway A66 Frankfurt-Wiesbaden possibly arising from automobile exhaust catalysts. Further monitoring could help to avoid potential environmental hazards. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A00HP020 00002     

Emissions- und Immissionsprognosen für den Straßenverkehr in Deutschland

The use of such threshold values, which are valid today and will be valid in the future, for waste gas emissions from motor vehicles will continuously serve to further limit the amounts of emissions from the motorized traffic in Germany, even though it must be assumed that an ever increasing amount of mileage will be observed. Following the reduction in emissions which have been calculated, and the estimated improvements to be seen in this area, important goals in atmospheric quality should be achieved in the future. Especially the risk of cancer associated with motorvehicle traffic will drop appreciably below the target goals. The most important problem of the air pollution stemming from traffic emissions, however, seems to be the fine dusts. A reduction in the quantity of these substances may possibly be related to the emissions of nitric oxides and also of NMVOCs. The efficient reduction of the climatically-relevant emissions attributed to motor-vehicle traffic is a great challenge to the fields of technology, fuel supply and user behavior patterns. These factors will therefore represent an important part of the long-term environmental discussions.     

Coplanare polychlorierte Biphenyle (PCB) in den Oberböden Hamburgs

Goal and Scope

In topsoil samples of areas with different land use within the agglomeration of Hamburg, the coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls PCB 77, 126 und 169 were determined to estimate the importance of coplanar PCBs in urban soils. Proportions relative to Balischmiter-PCBs (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) and PCDD/F concentrations were examined.

Methods

Soil samples were taken from different depths (litter horizon, 0–10 cm, 0–30 cm) at 24 different sites within the State territory of Hamburg. Coplanar PCBs, Ballschmiter-PCBs and PCDD/Fs were analysed by GC-MS-coupling in the soil fraction <2 mm. Congener distributions are discussed with respect to contamination sources.

Results and Conclusion

Land use and position of soil sample areas are only of subordinate importance for coplanar PCB concentration of the soil samples. The industrial centre of Hamburg (including harbour) shows higher contamination concentrations than the suburban areas. In levels, patterns and relative proportion to PCDD/F concentrations, the samples from dredging material disposal fields differ from all other samples. Calculation of coplanar TEQs related to total TEQs shows a contribution to total TEQs of 11–32% for the background (non dredging material influenced) samples.

Recommendation and Perspective

Estimation of coplanar PCB concentrations by determining Ballschmiter-PCB concentrations in top soil samples does merely work at samples which contamination is caused by the use of commercial PCB mixtures. Rating samples by TEQ concentrations, an increase of TEQs up to 30%, due to coplanar PCBs, should be reckonned. These considerations should be reason for extending the usual PCB determinations of Ballschmiter-PCBs to coplanar PCBs in more cases than is the general practice today.     

Klimawandel und zukünftig mögliche temperaturgesteuerte Malariatransmission in Deutschland

Background, aim and scope On behalf of the Centre of Excellence for Climate Effects and Adaption (KomPass) of the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) an Expert Information System on Climate Change and Adaption (FISKA) was developed. FISKA shall provide the governmental institutions with basic information and models on climate change impacts for the development and accomplishment of adaption strategies. In this paper the impact model on potential temperature-dependent malaria transmissions is presented. It shows how, together with the REMO and WettReg climate models implemented in FISKA, areas at risk of malaria can be identified. Materials and methods FISKA was developed as an open and modular expert information system and allows the exchange of data and information with other institutions. Climate change impacts are implemented as calculation engines. The system allows for implementing additional data and impact models to improve existing impact models. For the calculation of the temperature-dependent potential secondary malaria infections the basic reproduction rate was used and the according algorithms were implemented in two calculation engines. One engine allows the calculation of the secondary infections and the other allows the calculation of the seasonal transmission gates. Measured air temperatures for the period 1961–2007 were provided by the German Meteorological Service (DWD), data on future air temperatures were extracted from the climate models REMO and WettReg for the climate reference periods 1991–2020, 2021–2050, and 2051–2080. The respective secondary infections and the resulting seasonal transmission gates for each period were regionalised on the basis of an ecological land classification to analyse significant ecoregional differences. Results Comparing the climate reference period 1961–1990 and the following period 1991–2007, the proportion of Germany featuring a potential seasonal malaria transmission gate of one or rather two months has been reduced in favour of a three months transmission gate. Accordingly, in the period 1991–2007 malaria transmissions during three months are possible on 70?% of the German territory instead of 26?% in 1961–1990. The percentage of a four months transmission gate has increased from 0.02?% to 0.76?%, and even a five months transmission is possible on 0.15?% of Germany. For future periods the number of potential secondary infections increases and further extensions of the seasonal transmission gates were revealed. In case of REMO A1B in 2051–2080, almost whole Germany features thermal conditions allowing malaria transmissions during four or rather five months. Discussion Rising air temperatures lead to changes in the spatial structure of the ecological elementary factor temperature, which can, under otherwise identical conditions, facilitate the reproduction of pathogens (here Plasmodium vivax) and vectors (here Anopheles atroparvus) as well as the spread of diseases. The basic reproduction rate serves the calculation of secondary malaria infections, which are the infections of host by a vector under the assumption that every member of the host population is susceptible for the pathogen. Improved thermal conditions alone do not necessarily imply the development of a malaria epidemic. Other factors like population density or medical care and the presence of vector habitats are of major importance, however, not considered by the calculation engines. The example of malaria is intended to be a model for a range of temperature-dependent vector-borne diseases. Conclusions The impact model on temperature-dependent malaria infections shows exemplarily the information content and functionality of FISKA. Data and functionality of FISKA serve as an expert information system for the detection of risks due to climate change. The results can be published as interactive maps via the FISKA internet interface. From a technical point of view, every impact model based on a calculation engine can be implemented and published via the web interface, provided that the impact models and the resulting risk maps rely on scientific reliable assumptions and are documented comprehensively. Recommendations and perspectives An improvement of FISKA considering the European scale is technically possible. It would require the development of GIS- and model applications on the basis of Europe-wide basic and specific data. For small-scale model runs a dynamic modelling of the water balance including soil hydrology as well as consideration of microclimate effects are required.     

Chemodynamische Verteilung lipophiler organischer Schadstoffe in Gewässern

Using a simple chemodynamical model, the distribution of lipophilic organic contaminants between the solid (suspended particulate matter, sediment) and the aquatic phase in waters has been studied. For numerous organic contaminants found in the river Elbe, the partitioning between the solid and aquous phases has been calculated.     

Bestimmung von leicht freisetzbarem Cyanid in Böden und Wässern mit der Mikrodestillation

Easy-liberatable cyanide has to be analysed if soils and waters are contaminated by cyanide. The aim of this study was to determine easy-liberatable cyanide in these environmental samples using a micro-distillation apparatus by means of a modified digestion vessel. Pure aqueous solutions of different cyanide species, five contaminated and uncontaminated soil samples and two water samples were analysed by micro-distillation according to the German standards. Recovery was determined by analysis of spiked samples. When using the modified digestion vessels, the pH of 4 which is demanded by the standard method can be adjusted. The recovery of potassium cyanide and weakly-complexed zinc-cyanide ranged from 93–101% for standards, and from 87–98% for spiked samples. In contrast, the recovery of strong iron-cyanide complexes was below 4% both for pure solutions and spiked samples. The precision of the method expressed as a relative standard deviation was 25% in cases of very low easy-liberatable cyanide contents (< 1 mg CN kg^?1) and below 12% in case of high easy-liberatable cyanide contents (> 1 mg CN kg^?1) for contaminated soils. The determination of easily-liberatable cyanide in soils and waters using micro-distillation combined with the modified digestion sample is an alternative to other distillation methods.     

Erprobung und Erfolgskontrolle eines Phytoremediationsverfahrens zur Sanierung Sprengstoff-kontaminierter Böden

The final article of a series of three evaluates the in situ-remediation of TNT(trinitrotoluene)-contaminated soil from ‘Werk Tanne’. The multidisciplinary approach allows a differentiated assessment. Grading with large-scale machinery leads to a depletion of TNT for almost 90% within the first 6 months, while ADNT(amino-dinitrotoluene)-content decreases more or less steadily over 1,5 years. Grading reduces the heterogenous distribution of the contamination only slightly. Results from field-monitoring and biotest-battery indicate residual toxicities of ecotoxicological relevance and a reduced capacity for biological regeneration, in comparison with the uncontamined site. Mycorrhized plants safe-guard the site and improve the soilecological conditions. Their role in reducing lower level residual toxicity requires further investigation. There is need for future research (1) on the dynamics and mechanisms of the initial decrease of TNT followed by stagnation, (2) on the fate of the primary metabolites, (3) on long-term effects of the phytoremediation, and (4) on the establishment of the complex monitoring for routine work.     

Erprobung und Erfolgskontrolle eines Phytoremediations-verfahrens zur Sanierung Sprengstoff-kontaminierter Böden

Results of a field experiment (please refer to Warrelmann et al. 2000a) document TNT-degradation and regeneration after the establishment of a phytoremediation. Various approaches are included in a complex monitoring system, which are conducted in the field (nitroaromatics in soil, seepage water, and plants; soil fauna; soil fungi; decomposition) as well as in the lab (a battery of 6 biotests). The data document a high heterogeneity of the TNT-contamination, a rapid initial decrease and a mediocre displacement of nitroaromatics in plants and seepage water. The initial rapid transformation of TNT to aminodinitrotoluenes ceases significantly after 3 months. Results of the biotest battery allow a sophisticated assessment of soil toxicity; the results from the soil ecological field investigations make the long-term effects of TNT-contamination likely. In a third part of the series of articles, a synopsis and judgement of the project will be delivered.     

Erprobung und Erfolgskontrolle eines Phytoremediationsverfahrens zur Sanierung Sprengstoff-kontaminierter Böden

On the area of a former ordnance plant (‘Werk Tanne’, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany), a field experiment for phytoremediation of TNT-contaminated soils has been carried out since May 1999. The concept is based on a stepwise degradation of TNT by white-rot fungi and mycorrhiza within the rhizosphere of site-specific seedlings. An appropiate site with contaminants in the surface-soil was prepared with a large-scale soil grader and subsequently divided into different experimental plots, including an uncontaminated control as well as a contaminated plot without treatment. Planting of the selected trees and shrubs (infected with mycorrhiza during nursery) and inoculation with wood chips (inoculated with white-rot fungi) is followed by a detailed monitoring of the experimental plots (chemical analyses, biotest-battery, ecological field indicators). For the evaluation of the results, multivariate methods are applied.     

Bewertungsmaßstäbe zur Beurteilung von Schadstoffbelastungen in Böden anhand der Bioverfügbarkeit

Until now, assessment of contaminated sites is based on variable protection goals, whereby total contents and in part mobile contents are considered. Due to interactions of pollutants in soil and bound residues, total contents do not reflect the actual risk. In contrast an investigation based on availability/bioavailability of contaminants would enable a harmonization of the protection-goal-based evaluation and a closer-to-reality risk assessment for the individual location.