Lindane (gamma-HCH)
Highly effective insecticide that was banned from agricultural use in 2002 and restricted in pharmaceutical use in 2007
γ-HCH is lipophilic and binds to soil particles. During rain and run-off it enters ground- and surface waters. In the atmosphere it may be transported over long distances adsorbed to dust particles.
In the environment, γ-HCH is persistent. It accumulates in organisms and is enriched in the food web (biomagnification). Moreover, there is evidence for carcinogenicity and endocrine disrupting activity.
Since 2002, the use of Lindane in agriculture is banned in Europe and in 2009 it was added to the Stockholm Convention. It is, however, still used in some veterinary and pharmaceutical products.
Search data
Specimen
| 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. |
|---|---|
| Feral pigeon | A pigeon species home in nearly every city. |
| Bream | Bioindicator in rivers and lakes |
| Blue mussel | One of the most important edible mussel species common in the North and Baltic Sea |
| Eelpout | As the only viviparous fish in German nearshore waters, it is a bioindicator in nearshore coastal marine ecosystems. |
| Suspended particulate matter | Fine insoluble mineral or organic particles in the water phase |
Sampling area
| BR/NP Berchtesgaden | The only high mountains national park in Germany and an area of the Limestone Alps with international relevance. |
|---|---|
| Saarländischer Verdichtungsraum | Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany. |
| Bornhöveder Seengebiet | Main watershed between the North- and Baltic Sea. |
| Rhein | Longest river in Germany. |
| NP Bayerischer Wald | The Bavarian Forest National Park is Germany's first national park. |
| NP Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft | National Park in the largest brackish water (Bodden) habitat of the world. |
| BR/NP Wattenmeere | National park in the world largest connected sand and mud flats. |
| Elbe | Fourth largest river area in Central Europe. |
| Dübener Heide | Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany. |
| NP Harz | The Harz National Park is Germany's largest forest national park. |
| Solling | Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany. |
| BR Pfälzerwald | Germany's largest connected forest area in a range of low mountains. |
| Oberbayerisches Tertiärhügelland | The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin. |
| Donau | Second largest river in Europe. |
Sampling period
1985 - 2010