Dioxin (PCDD/F) in the river Elbe--investigations of their origin by multivariate statistical methods.

With several multivariate statistical methods a classification of dioxin data has been tried. As a main result one significant source of dioxin in the river Elbe, in the harbour of Hamburg as well as in soils of the flooding areas of the river Elbe could be identified: the dioxin contaminated region Bitterfeld. Our statistical results indicate that the dioxin contamination in the Bitterfeld region was caused partly by metallurgy processes and not only by chemical production.

Organic trace compounds in the water of the River Elbe near Hamburg. Part I.

Water samples of the River Elbe near Hamburg were analyzed for 145 organic chemical compounds. In part I results of the investigations concerning the following groups of compounds are presented (57 individual compounds): volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons, chloroalkylethers (haloethers), chlorobenzenes, nitrobenzenes, chloronitrobenzenes, and chloroanilines. Highest concentrations were found for the chlorinated bispropylethers and 1,7-dichloro-3,5-dioxaheptane (haloethers). Other important compounds were nitrobenzene, nitrotoluenes, and chloronitrobenzenes. The results were assessed on the basis of German surface water quality criteria.

Organic trace compounds in the water of the River Elbe near Hamburg. Part II.

Part II of the quantitative determination of altogether 145 distinct organic compounds is presented (88 organic compounds). Elevated amounts of some pesticides concerning triazines and especially dimethoate were recorded as well as of O,O,O-trimethylthiophosphate and O,O,S-trimethyldithiophos-phate, which are related to the chemistry of dimethoate. A comparison of the results of PCB-quantification in unfiltered water samples with the results for solid phase material (SPM-phase) in river water is presented. The occurrence of organic trace compounds in the River Elbe is discussed in comparison to corresponding investigations of the River Rhine.