Heavy Metals in Saale Sediments — Changes in the Contamination since 1991

Abstract

Based on the hydrographical and geological conditions of the river Saale catchment area, the regional geogenic background values are given for heavy metals in fluviatile sediments. They serve as a yardstick for evaluating the current sediment load of the Saale. Compared with the data from the 1990s, level reductions in the Saale can only be proven for the main contaminants Hg and Cr. By contrast, heavy metal levels in the formerly highly contaminated Weiße Elster river basin have clearly decreased, in particular Cd, Zn, Ag, and U. At the same time, increased manganese levels throughout the river system indicate a reduction in organic loads and an increase in oxygen levels. Schwermetalle in den Sedimenten der Saale -Veränderungen in der Belastungssituation seit 1991Ausgehend von den hydrographischen und geologischen Gegebenheiten des Einzugsgebietes der Saale werden die regionalen geogenen Hintergrundwerte für Schwermetalle in Flusssedimenten vorgestellt. Sie dienen als Maßstab für die Beurteilung der aktuellen Sedimentbelastung 2der Saale. Im Vergleich mit Daten aus den 90er Jahren sind im Saalestrom nur bei den Hauptkontaminanten Hg und Cr Rückgänge in den Gehalten nachweisbar. Demgegenüber haben sich die Schwermetallgehalte im ehemals hoch belasteten Teilflussgebiet der Weißen Elster insbesondere bei Cd, Zn, Ag und U deutlich verringert. Gleichzeitig deuten erhöhte Mangangehalte im gesamten Flusssystem auf reduzierte organische Belastung und höhere mittlere Sauerstoffgehalte hin.

Bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr in different environmental samples — Effects of anthropogenic contamination and implications for isoscapes in past migration studies

“…In contrast, an archeological shell from the Iron Age, which very likely came from the same river, exhibits a smaller difference (+0.0001) compared to that of the modern river water. In summary, our 87 Sr/ 86 Sr data therefore suggest that although anthropogenic contamination of the Saale River has been reported (Zerling et al, 2003), the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio was probably not affected significantly. Modern river waters in this region can therefore be used as comparative samples in studies of past mobility and migration.…”

Biometric parameters of the bream (Abramis brama) as indicators for long-term changes in fish health and environmental quality—data from the German ESB

“…1). Current findings have suggested an improved water quality of the Rivers Rhine, Saar, Elbe and its tributaries Saale and Mulde (International Commission of the Protection of the Elbe River (ICPER) 2010; Heininger et al 2003;Rüdel et al 2006;Rüdel et al 2007;Wenzel et al 2004;Zerling et al 2004; International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) 2002, 2007, 2011; Internationale Kommission zum Schutz der Mosel und der Saar (IKSMS 2001). These improvements were primarily a result of the decline of the contaminant burden and an increase of the oxygen levels.…”

Heavy metal inflow into the floodplains at the mouth of the river Weiße Elster (Central Germany)

“…As far as the Weiße Elster system is concerned, the main pollutants are Cd, Zn, Cr, U, and Hg. Since remediation activities began in 1990, the level of metal in its sediment has decreased by as much as 75% [2].…”