Speaker
Description
Heavy metal contamination in the Harz mountains is a legacy of historical metal ore mining, processing and smelting. Since heavy metals exhibit toxic effects towards ecosystems, knowledge of heavy metal concentrations in the environment is important for assessing environmental risks. The aim of this study was to investigate the contamination of the Innerste River catchment of the Harz mountains. Therefore, a literature review was conducted assessing the state of heavy metal contamination in soils and river water. Studies from this review measured heavy metal contents of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr in soil samples from eleven floodplain sites along the Innerste River. Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu exceeded the precautionary limits by the German Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance and can therefore be classified as highly contaminated. Additionally, heavy metal concentrations in blackberry leaves were examined and proposed for biomonitoring as indicators for Pb and Zn pollution of topsoils. Heavy metal loads of the Innerste River, measured 2007 until 2017 by the Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal and Nature Protection Agency (NLWKN), showed similar heavy metal concentrations for Cu, Pb and As whereas Cd, Ni, Zn and Cr showed reduced loads. Environmental quality standards were exceeded for Pb and Zn indicating poor water quality. The concentrations of heavy metals still present demonstrate the lasting impacts of former mining activities and the need for monitoring.
