Micropollutants in three tributaries of Lake Constance, Argen, Schussen and Seefelder Aach: A literature review

Abstract

A literature review made evident that in three tributaries of Lake Constance, Argen, Schussen and Seefelder Aach 82 micropollutants (including 3 metabolites of pesticides) were detected in at least one of the streams. Quality standards according to the EU Water Frame Directive (which however comprises only 16 of the detected chemicals) are not exceeded in any of the streams. The comparison of maximal values with existing threshold values and eff ect concentrations obtained in ecotoxicological analyses and biomarker studies revealed 35 substances to be of relevance in at least one of the three waters. These were 5 chemicals in the Argen, 31 chemicals in the Schussen, and 17 chemicals in the Seefelder Aach, for which eff ects on mortality, development, health or reproduction in aquatic organisms cannot be excluded. © 2012 Triebskorn and Hetzenauer.