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Climate Change and the European Water Dimension - Agri ...

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Figure VI.F.1. Elbe <strong>and</strong> Mulde catchment affected by <strong>the</strong> flood in 2002<br />

VI.F.2 Release of Chemicals during <strong>the</strong> 2002 event<br />

The survey revealed no significant increases in levels of chemical pollution in river<br />

<strong>and</strong> floodplain sediments after <strong>the</strong> flood with few exceptions on a local scale, mainly<br />

along River Mulde. Concentrations of trace metals, hydrocarbons, PAHs,<br />

organochloro-pesticides, <strong>and</strong> PCBs exceeded German guidelines only in a few<br />

isolated cases, without distinct threats to human health.<br />

Polychlorinated Dioxins <strong>and</strong> Furans (PCDD/Fs) <strong>and</strong> Mercury contamination in soils<br />

behind dikes that broke in 2002 were, on average, typical of urban contamination<br />

levels indicating minor re-mobilization through <strong>the</strong> floodwaters. The investigated<br />

playgrounds <strong>and</strong> agricultural areas showed contamination levels far below German<br />

guidelines. Only a few pasture areas slightly exceeded <strong>the</strong> recommended maximum<br />

level of PCDD/F contamination for this type of l<strong>and</strong> use. Contrary observations were<br />

made in <strong>the</strong> floodplain soils regularly affected by floodwaters, where Mercury <strong>and</strong><br />

particularly PCDD/Fs levels significantly exceeded German guidelines especially<br />

downstream of <strong>the</strong> inlets of Rivers Mulde <strong>and</strong> Saale.<br />

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