Lipophilic organic contaminants in the Rhine river, Germany

1 Lipophilic organic contaminants in the Rhine river, Germany  

Therefore, the main issue of the presented study is to provide a comprehensive view on the state of pollution of Rhine river water with respect to lipophilic low molecular weight organic contaminants. The investigation is spatially restricted to the Rhine river section of North Rhine - Westfalia (Germany) which is affected dominantly by emissions 

1 Mainly adapted/reprinted from Schwarzbauer and Heim, 2005c 

All contaminants identified in Rhine water extracts by GC/MS screening analyses are summarized in Tab. 2. They are arranged either by structural properties or by technical/commercial application. 

A huge proportion of the contaminants were of anthropogenic origin. Several of these compounds are known as riverine pollutants and are consequently reported in various environmental investigations. However, numerous compounds identified are obviously man made chemicals but not or rarely reported as riverine contaminants. Thus, the knowledge about their usage, emission pathway and environmental behaviour is limited. 

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Schwarzbauer J, Heim S (2005c) Lipophilic organic contaminants in the Rhine river (Germany). Water Res 39, 4735-4748. 

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