Arsenic
Ubiquitous toxic metalloid
Arsenic compounds were used as pesticides in agriculture and forestry until the 1980s and 2004, respectively. Moreover, several drugs are based on arsenic and it is used e.g. in electronic industry, metal alloys, and in the process of glass production.
Weathering, volcanic activities, and solution in waters, biological processes and anthropogenic activities may lead to emissions of arsenic. It is mobile in all environmental compartments and may circulate for a long time before settling in sediments.
Several arsenic compounds are highly toxic to humans and classified as carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic.
Toxicity has also been demonstrated for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Arsenic is accumulated by aquatic organisms (bioaccumulation). Biomagnification in the food web can not be ruled out.
For more information about the for chemical analysis see the Guidelines for Chemical Analysis: Determination of Arsenic and Selenium in Environmental Samples by ICP-MS after Hydride Formation.
Search data
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
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Common brown alga of the coastal areas of the North and Baltic Sea
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One of the most important edible mussel species common in the North and Baltic Sea
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As the only viviparous fish in German nearshore waters, it is a bioindicator in nearshore coastal marine ecosystems.
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Inshore, the herring gull mainly feeds from the sea: upon fish, mussels, and crabs.
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A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
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A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
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A deciduous tree typical of ecosystems close to dense conurbations and an indicator for the characterisation of the immission situation during the vegetation period.
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As the most dominant deciduous tree species in Central Europe, it plays a significant role in most nearly natural and also anthropogenically influenced forest ecosystems up to an altitude of 1100 m.
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The roe deer is the most common of the larger herbivores (first order-consumer) to be found in the wild in Europe.
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A pigeon species home in nearly every city.
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As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
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As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
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Soil is livelihood and biosphere for humans, animals, plants and soil organisms. All the substances brought in are transported, transformed and/or accumulated in the soil.
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Student groups with an even number of female and male students at the age of 20 to 29.
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Sampling area
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The only high mountains national park in Germany and an area of the Limestone Alps with international relevance
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Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany.
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Main water divide between the North- and Baltic Sea
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Longest river in Germany
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Germany's first national park
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National Park in the largest brackish water (Bodden) habitat of the world.
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National park in the world largest connected sand and mud flats.
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Fourth largest river basin in Central Europe
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Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany
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Germany's largest forest national park
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Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany
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Germany's largest connected forest area in a range of low mountains
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The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin
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Second largest river in Europe
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4 university cities as sampling areas.
Sampling period
1985 - 2024
Extended information
Links to external information and legislation
- Reference values for arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Tl, U, Pt) in blood or urine (PDF, external source) (external)
- Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 August 2013 amending Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/105/EC as regards priority substances in the field of water policy (external)
- Directive 2004/107/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004 relating to arsenic, cadmium, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air (external)
- ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - Toxicological Profile for Arsenic (external)