Spree River

Ricking, M., J. Schwarzbauer, and S. Franke. 2003. Molecular markers of anthropogenic activity in sediments of the Havel and Spree Rivers (Germany). Water Res. 37 2607-2617. 

The areas of investigation are spatially restricted. Studies on river water or sediments focussed on selected areas of the Elbe and Rhine river systems comprising the Havel and Spree river (exclusively in the urban area of Berlin), the Elbe estuaiy (German Bight), the Teltow Canal, as well as the Lippe river and the middle Rhine river. Investigations on groundwater contamination were exclusively restricted to two small areas in North-Rhine/Westfalia (Fig. 9). 

N-formylpiperidine in municipal wastewater influents to wastewater treatment plants whereas in the effluents the compound was absent. Hence, the origin of NFP is not clarified so far. This compound was also detected in sediments from the Havel and Spree rivers, Germany (Ricking et al., 2003). 

Molecular markers of anthropogenic activity in sediments of the Havel and Spree rivers (Germany) ... 

In order to identify a wide variety of organic contaminants and to differentiate between point and non-point sources, 28 recent surface sediment samples from the Havel and Spree river, representing the sedimentary record from 1979/80 up to 1995, were analysed by means of a non-target screening approach with subsequent quantification of selected groups of compounds. 

The main focus of this study was to identify organic substances in Havel and Spree river sediments that could trace anthropogenic emissions of specific sources within the system. Therefore, selected contaminants with respect to their source specificity and to their environmental stability are discussed in order to characterize new potential anthropogenic marker compounds. 

Tab. 1 Samples of Havel and Spree river sediments. Sampling devices EB = Eckman-Birge-grab sampler NF = liquid nitrogen deep freeze method.

Fig. 1 Sampling locations in the Havel and Spree river area. Further informations are provided in Table 1.

In contrast to the qualitative non-target screening analyses, which were applied to the complete sample set, the quantitative analyses were restricted to selected sediment samples including H3, H6, S2, S9, S10, S13, S14,T1, T2, T5 and T6. These samples were selected with respect to their spatial distribution representing well the contamination of the Havel and Spree river sediments in the urban area of Berlin. The quantitative data were not normalized to TOC content as no significant correlation with the data has been found. 

In Havel and Spree river sediment samples a background concentration of ASPE of 1500 - 2500 ng/g was peaked by concentrations up to 8860 ng/g, indicating a distinct emission source at station H6. 

Tab. 4 Potential anthropogenic marker compounds identified in sediment samples of the Havel / Spree rivers. Quantitative data are given in ng/g dry matter.

Fig. 2 Concentrations of alkylsulfonic acid phenylesters (molecular structure is given in the upper box) in sediment samples of the Spree river (S10 and SI 4) and the Teltow Canal (T5 and T6). On the x-axis the homologues series with aliphatic side chain length ranging from CJ3 to Ci8 and the individual positional isomers of each homologues groups (7-/6-, 5-, 4- 3-. = position of substitution at the side chain) are noted according to Franke et al 1998a. All concentrations are given in ng/g dry matter.

Also benzophenone [ 15] might act as an anthropogenic marker. It is mainly used along with substituted diphenyl ketones as UV-absorber in creams, as a fixative in perfumes and soap as well as an intermediate in pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals production. As well, only low concentrations were found in the Havel and Spree river sediments in the range of 0.5 to 3 ng/g, recommending an optimized analytical procedure. 

These compounds were frequently detected in Havel and Spree river sediments at lower concentrations compared to the elevated amounts of the point source contaminants. Thus, a widespread distribution of these compounds in minor concentrations was stated (Ricking et al. 2003). 

Schwarzbauer J, Ricking M, Franke S, Francke W (2001) Halogenated organic contaminants in sediments of the Havel and Spree rivers (Germany). Part 5 of Organic compounds as contaminants of the Elbe river and its tributaries. Environ Sci Technol 35, 4015-4025. 

---