Transekt Halle-Leipzig
Halle/Leipzig conurbation within the chemical triangle
The sub-area Transekt Halle-Leipzig is located in the middle of the sampling area and is a representative section of the Halle/Leipzig conurbation.
The sub-area comprises the largest industrial area in central Germany and the most densely populated in East Germany. Settlement and industrial areas, active and former open pits, and tailings cover large parts of the area. The pollution situation is characterized by high emissions which are related to the enormous densities of chemical industry and population.
The main receiving streams of the sub-area are the rivers Saale and Weisse Elster. In the former GDR they were heavily polluted by waste waters from the pulp and paper industry and the chemical industry, and by discharges of insufficiently treated municipal wastewaters from the area of Halle/Merseburg.
Even today the levels of AOX (absorbable organic halogen compounds) and DOC (dissolved organic carbon) are unusually high in the upper reaches of the Saale (location of pulp and paper industry). Furthermore, the salt load and the level of nitrate are very high.
Sampling site
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Only sampling site of bream in the river Saale
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Sampling site in an intra-urban district
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Park area in the centre of Leipzig city
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Park area in the centre of Halle
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Sampling site for broad-leaved trees in an urban environment
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Park areas and lawns
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Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany
Specimen
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Common mussel species as invasive animal in rivers and lakes with high information level for water pollution
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Bioindicator in rivers and lakes
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Fine insoluble mineral or organic particles in the water phase
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A deciduous tree typical of ecosystems close to dense conurbations and an indicator for the characterisation of the immission situation during the vegetation period.
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A pigeon species home in nearly every city.
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As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
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Soil is livelihood and biosphere for humans, animals, plants and soil organisms. All the substances brought in are transported, transformed and/or accumulated in the soil.
Analytes
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Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals
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Only eighteen elements in the periodic table
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Organic substances with at least one metall atom
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Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom
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Toxic and persistent organochloropesticide
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Several isomeric compounds among the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons
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Group of organic compounds with at least three condensed six-membered rings
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Chemical agents against harmful organisms and for plant protection
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Organic compounds which are fully (per-) or partially (poly-) fluorinated
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Class of synthetic fragrances
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Atoms of one element with different weights
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Flame retardants reduce the flammability of objects
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Cyclic methylsiloxanes with persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties in the environment
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Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data
Sampling period
1991 - 2023