Rhein
Rhine river
Longest river in Germany
The river Rhine originates in Switzerland and flows through four countries until it empties into the North Sea after passing the Netherlands. It is the largest tributary of the North Sea and with its length of 1320 km also the longest river in Germany. The river basin of the Rhine has a size of about 200,000 km2 and spreads over nine countries. The sampling area covers the 865 km-long German section of the Rhine and extends from Lake Constance to Bimmen at the German/Dutch border.
Further characteristics of the stream are:
- The Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe and used in many ways. It is Germany’s main waterway.
- About 50 million people live in its catchment area, thereof 34 million in Germany.
- The Rhine supplies drinking water for about 20 million people.
- In Germany, the dynamics of the water flow of the Rhine have been strongly modified. Numerous barrages were installed and straightening of the watercourse has diminished the retention areas.
- Despite reduced pollution through wastewaters from households and industries, the Rhine still carries high burdens of heavy metals and chemicals, e.g. pesticides that affect the drinking water quality of the Rhine residents.
Recommended analysis examples
Search data
Sub-areas
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Study site immediately downriver of Basel's chemical industries
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Last study site in the dammed Rhine before the German-French border
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At the exit of the Rhine from the Rhenish Slate Mountains and upstream of the Moselle confluence at the German Corner at Koblenz
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Area situated along the German-Dutch border
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The sampling areas have been selected to represent adequately the major types of ecosystems in Germany and taking into account the varying intensities of anthropogenic impact and land use.
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
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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Class of non-ionic surfactants and their degradation products
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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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Proctection for humans and products
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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
1995 - 2023
Extended information
Links to external information and legislation
- " href="https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/1968/dokumente/steckbrief_flussgebietseinheit_rhein.pdf" target="_blank">Steckbrief Flussgebietseinheit Rhein (PDF, external source) (external)
- " href="https://www.iksr.org/en/" target="_blank">ICPR - International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (external)