Selected Results
A selection of commented investigation results based on sampling data from the Environmental Specimen Bank.
Longterm monitoring
Accumulation patterns of heavy metals in the marine food web
The analysis of organisms from different trophic levels allows the assessment of the accumulation pattern of substances in the food web. Lead is not enriched in the marine food web. Highest levels are found in blue mussels. In contrast, mercury is clearly biomagnified with highest concentrations in herring gull eggs.
Retrospective monitoring
Alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates: voluntary measures of industry result in a decrease of environmental burdens
Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) are so called non-ionic detergents. They are widely used in industry and technology. Some of their precursors and degradation products are persistent, bioaccumulative, endocrine disruptive, and highly toxic to aquatic organisms.<br /> In 1986 and 1992, the German industry voluntarily renounced the use of APEO in cleansing agents. Since then, contamination of bream with APEO and their degradation products in German rivers declined. Contamination of blue mussels from the North and Baltic Sea was generally low and decreased further between 1986 and 2001.
Analysis examples
alpha-HCH contamination of roe deer from the Nationalpark Harz
Decreasing contamination since the early 1990s
Longterm monitoring
Arsenic in environmental specimens
Levels of arsenic are mostly quite low. Continuous concentration trends over time are found only in single cases. During the monitoring period, decreasing arsenic concentrations were detected in spruce shoots from the Saarland conurbation (Warndt). Arsenic also decreased in herring gull eggs from the North Sea island Trischen. In contrast, levels of arsenic increased in bream from the Saale (Wettin).
Analysis examples
Barium levels in bladder wrack from the North- and Baltic Seas
Significant difference in barium levels of bladder wrack from the North and Baltic Seas.
Analysis examples
Benz[a]anthracene in earthworms from the Saartal and the city of Leipzig
Differences in contamination between two regions with high anthropogenic impact
Analysis examples
Benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene in blue mussels from the Jadebusen
Significant decrease in contamination since the late 1980s
Analysis examples
Benzo[e]pyrene in leaves of poplars from the Saartal
Decreasing contamination since the early 1990s
Analysis examples
Benzo[ghi]perylene in blue mussels from the Baltic Sea
Only marginal variations since the early 1990s
Analysis examples
beta-HCH in bream from the river Mulde
Peak contamination after Elbe flood of 2002
Longterm monitoring
Cadmium in environmental specimens
Since the mid 1980s cadmium levels in spruce shoots and poplar leaves from the Saarland conurbation remained more or less constant.<br /> In marine samples cadmium levels increased, decreased or remained more or less constant depending on sampling area and specimen.
Analysis examples
Calcium in urine of German students from four cities
Decreasing calcium excretion since the mid 1990s.
Analysis examples
Chromium in spruce shoots from the Saarland conurbation
Significant decrease in chromium contamination since the mid 1980s
Analysis examples
Chrysene and triphenylene in spruce from the Saarland Conurbation
Declining contamination since the mid 1980s
Analysis examples
Cobalt in earthworms from a semi-natural sampling site (Solling) and an anthropogenic influenced area (Dübener Heide)
Significant differences in cobalt levels at both sampling sites
Analysis examples
Cobalt in zebra mussel from the Donau
Significant differences between the sampling sites
Longterm monitoring
Comparison between North Sea and Baltic Sea: Differences in levels of metals and arsenic in blue mussels
Blue mussels from the North Sea sampling sites Eckwarderhörne (Jadebay) and Südlich Lister Hafen/Königshafen (Sylt-Römö-Watt) have significantly higher mercury and arsenic contents compared to mussels from the Baltic Sea sampling site Darßer Ort. In contrast, cadmium levels are higher in Baltic Sea mussels. Lead concentrations are more or less the same in blue mussels from the sampling sites Darßer Ort and Eckwarderhörne whereas lower levels are observed in mussels from the Sylt-Römö-Watt. While nearly constant burdens are detected in mussels from Eckwarderhörne and Darßer Ort, concentrations of cadmium, mercury and arsenic have increased in mussels from the Sylt-Römö-Watt since the mid 1980s. <br /> Blue mussels from both North Sea sites exceed the OSPAR background concentrations for cadmium, lead and mercury. Respective background concentrations for Baltic Sea mussels are not available yet.
Analysis examples
Contamination of humans with lead
Decreasing lead concentration in whole blood since the Lead-in Petrol Act became effective.
Analysis examples
Copper in blue mussels from the North and the Baltic Sea
Higher copper levels in mussels from the Baltic Sea
Analysis examples
Coronene in beech from the Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald
Current concentrations are above the average values of previous years
Analysis examples
Dieldrin in eggs of herring gulls from the North and the Baltic Sea
Significant decrease in contamination of eggs from the North Sea
Monitoring the efficacy
Do human specimen reflect the ban of the wood preservative pentachlorophenol?
The ban of pentachlorophenol (PCP) led to a dramatic decrease in PCP-concentrations in blood plasma of students from Münster. PCP-levels dropped by more than 95% between 1985 and 2008.
Analysis examples
Fluoranthene in spruce shoots from the Saarländischer Verdichtungsraum and the Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald
Considerable differences in contamination between a region with high anthropogenic impact and a semi-natural environment
Monitoring the efficacy
Has the ban of persistent pesticides resulted in decreased environmental contamination?
The Pesticide Application Ordinance has led to a significant decline of environmental pollution by organochloro pesticides. Heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and aldrin are no longer present in the environmental samples. Dieldrin is detected only in single samples and at low levels. DDT and its metabolites, however, are still present in the environment. DDT and DDE levels are considerably higher in samples from East Germany as compared to West Germany.
Analysis examples
Hexachlorobenzene in blood plasma of students from Münster
Significant decrease in hexachlorobenzene burdens since the 1980s
Analysis examples
Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene in pine from the Dübener Heide
Significant decline in contamination since the early 1990s
Analysis examples
Iron in pine shoots from the Dübener Heide
Significant decreases in iron contents since the early 1990s
Analysis examples
Lead in eelpout from the North and the Baltic Sea
Decreasing contaminations in North Sea eelpouts
Monitoring the efficacy
Lead-in Petrol Act: has lead contamination of man and environment decreased?
Based on the Lead-in-Petrol Act, atmospheric lead emissions in Germany has dropped by 65% between 1985 and 1995. Since the Act became effective lead concentrations in human specimens and in terrestrial environmental specimens decreased contemporaneous to the decline in consumption of leaded petrol.
Analysis examples
Lindane in blue mussels from the North Sea
Use restrictions result in decreasing contamination since the 1990s