title: Occurrence and toxicity of 331 organic pollutants in large rivers of north Germany over a decade (1994 to 2004).
abstract: We analyzed the detection frequencies and concentrations for 331 organic compounds measured between 1994 and 2004 in the four largest rivers of north Germany, the Elbe, Weser, Aller, and Ems Rivers, and we assessed the potential risk for aquatic fauna using experimental and predicted acute toxicity data for the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, the crustacean Daphnia magna, and the fish Pimephales promelas. The detection frequency for most compounds decreased significantly from 1994 to 2004. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were most frequently detected, while pesticides were the most important chemical group concerning toxicity for the standard test organisms. The predicted toxicity for D. magna was significantly higher than for the other organisms and reached levels envisaging acute toxic effects on the invertebrate fauna, still in 2004. Most of the compounds responsible for potential acute effects on aquatic organisms are currently not considered as priority substances in the European Union, while only 2 of 25 priority substances that have been measured occurred at levels that may be relevant in terms of toxicity for the selected test organisms. We conclude that attenuation of pesticides and other organic toxicants should play an increased role in river basin management.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany. senator@ecotoxicology.de
authors.forename: Ralf B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Peter Carsten
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: von der Ohe
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kühne
authors.forename: Gerrit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schuüuürmann
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000187:drug effects; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000378:metabolism; D003621:Daphnia / Q000187:drug effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical