Glossary

0..9

24h-sampling urine

Particularly suitable matrix for human biomonitoring because chemicals and/or their metabolites excreted with urine have been in direct contact with the organism. Therefore, measurements in urine can give valid information regarding the internal human body burden.

go to document

2cx-MMHP

Mono(2-carboxymethyl-hexyl)phthalate is a secondary metabolite of DEHP.

go to document

5cx-MEPP

Mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl)phthalate is a secondary metabolite of DEHP.

go to document

5OH-MEHP

Mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate is a secondary metabolite of DEHP.

go to document

5oxo-MEHP

Mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate is a secondary metabolite of DEHP.

go to document

7OH-MiNP

Mono(4-methyl-7-hydroxyoctyl)phthalate is a oxidised DiNP metabolite with functional hydroxyl group.

go to document

7oxo-MiNP

Mono(4-methyl-7-oxo-octyl)phthalate is a oxidised DiNP metabolite with functional oxo group.

go to document

A

Agrarian Ecosystems

Agrarian ecosystems cover more than half the surface area of Germany and thus decisively shape the landscape.

go to document

alpha-HCH

The main constituent of technical HCH.

go to document

Analytes

Analytes are the subject of investigation and have been chosen to represent substances or groups of substances that describe either a basic physiological state or else toxic or carcinogenic conditions.

go to document

Archive

The long-term storage of environmental and human specimens is regarded as the main task of the German Environmental Specimen Bank: The Environmental Specimen Bank provides a continuous historical record of the state of the environment in Germany.

go to document

Arsenic

Arsenic compounds were used as pesticides in agriculture and forestry until the 1980s and 2004, respectively. Furthermore, several drugs are based on arsenic compounds.

go to document

B

Beech

As the most dominant deciduous tree species in Central Europe, it plays a significant role in most nearly natural and also anthropogenically influenced forest ecosystems up to an altitude of 1100 m.

go to document

Benzo[a]pyrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with five connected six-membered rings.

go to document

Benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with three six-membered rings and one five-membered ring with a single sulphur atom.

go to document

Benzo[e]pyrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with five connected six-membered rings.

go to document

Benzo[ghi]perylene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with six connected six-membered rings.

go to document

Benz[a]anthracene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with four connected six-membered rings.

go to document

beta-HCH

Most persistent HCH-isomer with the highest potential for biomagnification.

go to document

bioaccumulation

Increase in concentration of a substance in an organism

go to document

Bioaccumulation potential

Ability of a substance to enrich in organisms independent of the uptake route (surrounding medium, food)

go to document

biomagnification

Increase in concentration of a substance in an organism through dietary uptake

go to document

Blood plasma

Ideal matrix for most chemicals because it is in contact with the whole organism and in equilibrium with the organs and tissues in that chemicals are being accumulated.

go to document

Blue mussel

The blue Mussel is widespread in the North and Baltic Sea and belongs to the most important edible mussel species.

go to document

Bream

Bioindicator in freshwater and lakes.

go to document

Butylbenzyl phthalate

Only phthalate of commercial importance with differing side chains one of them representing a benzyl group.

go to document

C

Cadmium

The natural occurrence of cadmium is low and its minerals are mostly associated with zinc ores.

go to document

Chlorohydrocarbons

Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom.

go to document

Chromium

Naturally occurring transition metal.

go to document

Chrysene + Triphenylene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with four connected six-membered rings.

go to document

Cobalt

Naturally occurring transition metal.

go to document

Common bladder wrack

The common bladder wrack is widespread along the coastal areas of the North and Baltic Sea.

go to document

Common spruce

A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.

go to document

Copper

Copper is a metal widespread in nature and widely used by humans.

go to document

Coronene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with seven connected six-membered rings.

go to document

D

DDT and metabolites

Toxic and persistent organochloropesticide.

go to document

Di-n-butyl phthalate

A short-chain phthalate registered as auxiliary for pharmaceutical products that have to be administered encapsulated to resist gastric juice.

go to document

Dieldrin

Dieldrin is a very effective insecticide. Until the early 1970s it was a common contact and stomach poison for soil insects like termites, grasshoppers and beetles and for textile pests. Furthermore, it was used in the control of tropical vectors like the tsetse fly.

go to document

Diethylhexyl phthalate

The world's most important plasticiser among the chemical group of phthalates.

go to document

Diisobutyl phthalate

A short-chain phthalate whose use in packaging materials for food has been withdrawn voluntarily by the industry in 2007.

go to document

Diisononyl phthalate

Mixture of phthalate diesters differing slightly in branching of the alcohol chains. Main substitute of DEHP as plasticiser.

go to document

Domestic pigeon

A pigeon species home in nearly every city.

go to document

E

Earthworm (Aporrectodea longa)

As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).

go to document

Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)

As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).

go to document

Ecosystems

The investigations are carried out in 6 ecosystem types.

go to document

Ecosystems close to conurbations

Ecosystems close to conurbations, or urban-industrial ecosystems, are areas of human activity where natural factors are in part significantly modified or annulled and, especially in built-up areas, only function in very fragmented ways.

go to document

Eelpout

As the only viviparous fish in German nearshore waters, it is a bioindicator in nearshore coastal marine ecosystems.

go to document

F

Fluoranthene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with three six-membered rings and one five-membered ring.

go to document

Forestry ecosystems

Almost a third of Germany is covered in forest, most of it under productive forestry management.

go to document

H

Herring gull

Inshore, the herring gull mainly feeds from the sea: upon fish, mussels, and crabs.

go to document

Hexachlorobenzene

Hexachlorobenzene is a fungicide which was mainly used in seed treatment and as wood and timber preservative.

go to document

Hexachlorocyclohexane

Several isomeric compounds among the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons.

go to document

Human samples

Human body fluids and hair.

go to document

I

Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with five six-membered rings and one five-membered ring.

go to document

Iron

Naturally occurring transition metal.

go to document

L

Lead

Naturally occurring poisonous heavy metal.

go to document

Limnetic samples

Animal samples from rivers and lakes.

go to document

Lindane (gamma-HCH)

A highly effective insecticide that in Europe was banned from agricultural use in 2002 and from pharmaceutical use in 2007.

go to document

Lipid content

Parameter to normalise concentrations of lipophilic substances.

go to document

Lombardy poplar

A deciduous tree typical of ecosystems close to dense conurbations and an indicator for the characterisation of the immission situation during the vegetation period.

go to document

M

Magnesium

Naturally occurring non-toxic alkaline earth metal.

go to document

MAK

Maximum concentrations at the workplace (Maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentrationen)

go to document

Manganese

Naturally occurring transition metal.

go to document

Marine ecosystems

The structure and function of marine ecosystems are not the only factors to take into consideration when analysing marine organisms. All major changes at sea also induce changes in terrestrial ecosystems. The seas serve to regulate the weather, as a transport network, as a source for numerous food and mineral substances and as the final link in the chain of ecosystem loading.

go to document

Marine samples

Samples of marine-animals, sea weeds and seabirds.

go to document

MBzP

Mono-benzylphthalate is the primary metabolite of Butylbenzyl  phthalate (BBzP) resulting from elimination of the butyl group.

go to document

MEHP

Mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate is the primary metabolite of DEHP after cleavage of one alcohol group.

go to document

Mercury

Naturally occurring highly toxic transition metal, which is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure.

go to document

Metals

Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals.

go to document

Methyl triclosan

Methylation of triclosan results in methyl triclosan, which is more persistent in the environment. The lipophilic methyl triclosan accumulates in organisms.

go to document

Methylmercury

In the environment methylmercury is formed from inorganic mercury ions.

go to document

MiBP

Mono-iso-butylphthalate is the primary metabolite of DiBP resulting from the elimination of one iso-butyl group.

go to document

MnBP

Mono-n-butyl phthalate is the primary metabolite of DnBP resulting from the elimination of one butyl group.

go to document

N

Nearly natural terrestrial ecosystems

Nearly natural ecosystems are exceptional in that they have preserved their ancient structure and function without significant human manipulation.

go to document

Nickel

Naturally occurring transition metal.

go to document

Nonmetals

Only eighteen elements in the periodic table are not metals.

go to document

O

Octachlorostyrene

Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chlorinated organochlorine compound.

go to document

Organochloro pesticides

Organochloro hydrocarbons with insecticidal properties.

go to document

P

p,p'-DDD

DDD is a metabolite of DDT with insecticidal properties. It is suspected to be carcinogenic and to act as endocrine disruptor.

go to document

p,p'-DDE

DDE is the main metabolite of DDT. It is even more persistent than the parent compound and is strongly accumulated by organisms. It is suspected to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and to act as endocrine disruptor.

go to document

PCB101

PCB101 is a low chlorinated, relatively volatile PCB. Together with other low chlorinated congeners (e.g. PCB28 and 52) it stands for acute contamination of the ambient air. It degrades rather fast and accumulation in organisms is lower compared to higher chlorinated congeners.

go to document

PCB118

PCB118 belongs to the toxicologically relevant group of dioxin-like PCBs (also known as WHO-PCBs) that have molecular-biological properties resembling those of dioxins and furans. They are highly toxic. Technical mixtures of PCB contain only trace amounts of dioxin-like PCB. They can occur as by-products of incineration processes.

go to document

PCB138

PCB138 is a higher chlorinated PCB. It is hardly degradable and accumulates strongly in organisms and the food web. Together with other high chlorinated congeners (e.g. PCB153 and 180) it stands for long-term contamination mainly through food.

go to document

PCB153

PCB153 is a higher chlorinated PCB. It is hardly degradable and accumulates strongly in organisms and the food web. Together with other high chlorinated congeners (e.g. PCB138 and 180) it stands for long-term contamination mainly through food.

go to document

PCB180

PCB180 is a higher chlorinated PCB. It is hardly degradable and accumulates strongly in organisms and the food web. Together with other high chlorinated congeners (e.g. PCB138 and 153) it stands for long-term contamination mainly through food.

go to document

Pentachlorophenol

Pentachlorophenol is a persistent chlorinated hydrocarbon and an effective biocide.

go to document

Phenanthrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with three connected six-membered rings.

go to document

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a common element in the environment and constituent of many minerals.

go to document

Phthalates

General-purpose plasticisers for PVC and other polymers.

go to document

Pine

A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.

go to document

Polychlorinated biphenyls

Persistent and toxic chlorinated compounds.

go to document

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Group of organic compounds with at least three condensed six-membered rings.

go to document

Potassium

Naturally occurring alkali metal.

go to document

Pubic hair

Ideal matrix for the detection of internal exposure to methylmercury. Otherwise only screening method for adequate great populations and based on groups for detection of exposures to inorganic arsenic compounds, lead, and nicotine.

go to document

Pyrene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with four connected six-membered rings.

go to document

R

Riverine ecosystems

Riverine ecosystems can be considered as the final link in the functional structure of the terrestrial environment, as they function as a sink and a vehicle for discharges from the mainland, which they pass on to the marine ecosystems.

go to document

Roe deer, one-year-old

The roe deer is the most common of the larger herbivores (first order-consumer) to be found in the wild in Europe.

go to document

S

Saliva

Via element analysis in saliva release of alloy components of dental (prothesis) materials can be assessed.

go to document

Sampling areas

The sampling areas have been selected to represent adequately the major types of ecosystems in Germany and taking into account the varying intensities of anthropogenic impact and land use.

go to document

Scalp hair

Ideal matrix for the detection of internal exposure to methylmercury.

go to document

Selenium

Selenium is a relatively rare element that naturally occurs both in its elemental form and in many minerals.

go to document

Specimen types

The specimen types have been selected in such a way as to permit load observations within both a spatial and a time framework, thereby providing optimum information about overall conditions in the various sampling areas.

go to document

Standard operating procedures

To achieve a high degree of quality assurance, every step in the procedure from sampling through transport, preparation and analysis of the specimen to long- term storage is the subject of binding Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for each type of specimen.

go to document

Strontium

Alkaline earth metal with high reactivity and zthat occurs naturally only in compounds with other elements.

go to document

Students

Student groups with an even number of female and male students at the age of 20 to 29.

go to document

Sulfur

Sulfur is a ubiquitous element which naturally occurs in its elementary form as well as in sulfide- and sulfate minerals.

go to document

T

Terrestrial samples

Samples of animals living on land and plants growing on land.

go to document

Thallium

Thallium is a rare element which naturally occurs as trace element in many minerals.

go to document

Triclosan

Chlorinated aromatic biocide.

go to document

W

Water content

Parameter to calculate wet weight from dry weight and vice versa.

go to document

Whole blood

Ideal matrix for most chemicals because it is in contact with the whole organism and in equilibrium with the organs and tissues in those chemicals are being accumulated.

go to document

Z

Zebra mussel

The zebra mussel is a filter feeder on microscopic plankton organisms and organic particles that has become an invasive species in many European countries.

go to document

Zinc

Zinc is a rather common element. In the environment it is present mainly in ores.

go to document