Excess dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) is frequently encountered in natural groundwaters, originating from both geochemical and biological processes. In the investigated case, contamination of groundwater with toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) occurred due to anthropogenic activities. The co-occurrence of CO2 and Cr(VI) posed a distinct challenge for water treatment, as multiple process steps need to be tailored to remove both substances at the same time. This study investigates an integrated treatment approach specifically developed for groundwater containing elevated levels of both Cr(VI) and CO2. The process combines reduction coagulation filtration (RCF) with ferrous iron (Fe(II)) dosage with limestone filtration for concurrent Cr(VI) removal and water deacidification. A pilot plant with two parallel filters—one filled with dense limestone and the other with porous limestone—was operated under varying Fe(II) dosages (Fe(II), 0.3–1.0 mg/L) and filtration velocities (4.4–15.5 m/h). Results demonstrate that the RCF process achieved efficient Cr(VI) removal at moderate Fe(II) concentrations (<1.0 mg/L), with no breakthrough or reoxidation observed. Limestone filtration efficiently increased pH, calcium concentration, and buffer capacity, thereby decarbonating the water. Porous limestone showed higher reactivity than the dense limestone commonly used. Analysis of backwash sludge confirmed stable chromium retention and low residual metal concentrations in the supernatant. These findings confirm that the integrated RCF–limestone process provides an effective and cost-efficient solution for treating groundwater impacted by anthropogenic Cr(VI) and naturally elevated CO2 concentration. © 2026 The Authors.
In dieser Publikation wird ein Überblick über die Daten des deutschen PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) gegeben. Für jeden Schadstoff werden die Anzahl der gemeldeten Betriebe und deren Freisetzungen in Luft, Wasser und Boden, sowie deren Verbringungen mit dem Abwasser übersichtlich dargestellt. Getrennt nach Industriebranchen werden Daten für das aktuelle Berichtsjahr 2024 in Tabellen und die Entwicklung seit 2007 in Diagrammen zusammengefasst. Ausführliche Informationen und Recherchemöglichkeiten zum PRTR bietet das Portal Thru.de.
The European Green Deal states that moving from a linear to a circular economy is a key strategy to reduce resource consumption by repairing, reusing, remanufacturing, and recycling materials and products. Yet, the establishment of a circular economy in the European Union (EU) is still in an early stage. This report thus outlines how digitalisation can support the implementation of a circular economy and discusses the key role that governance for circularity can play in this context. The overall aim is to formulate recommendations for priorities for action, which the German government can link to the activities of the European Commission. The recommendations are based on an analysis of the role of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU regarding topics related to digitalisation and sustainability (REPORT 1), an expert workshop on digital circular economy (DCE) carried out in April 2022 and a literature review that deepened some of the workshop discussions. The analysis found that the potentials of a DCE are manifold and relate to improving products and business models along the entire circular value chain. Underlying these potentials is often the use of digital technologies for product tracking and monitoring as well as for a transparent digital data exchange. Further, it is argued that governance for circularity can be a key issue to empower stakeholders to move towards a DCE. Based on these findings, recommendations for EU and national policy makers are outlined to support the development of a systemic and coherent strategy for a DCE within the EU.
This publication provides an overview about data of the German PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register). For each pollutant, the number of reported facilities and their releases to air, water and land and their off-site transfer in waste water are clearly displayed. Data for industrial sectors of the current reporting year 2024 are summarized in tables while their developments since 2007 are presented in diagrams. Detailed information and search options within the PRTR are available at www.Thru.de.
The occurrences of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water may pose health risks to exposed consumers. PFAS removal with two anion exchange resins and a divinylbenzene sorbent in column experiments operated in parallel was investigated over a period of 520 days. For all adsorbents, removals of short-chain (C3 to C6 perfluorinated carbon atoms) PFAS were significantly lower than those of long-chain (C7 to C10 perfluorinated carbon atoms) PFAS. The strong base resin removed the short-chain PFAS slightly better than the weak base resin. Sulfonates were removed better than carboxylates with the same number of fluorinated carbon atoms. Anion exchange resins exhibited a greater affinity for the aromatic fraction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), resulting in a higher removal of UV-absorbing components than total DOC. The strong base resin outperformed the weak base resin and the divinylbenzene sorbent in terms of removing DOC concentrations and reducing UV254 absorbance. The reductions in UV254 and the elimination of short-chain PFAS exhibited correlations (Pearson's r > 0.60), indicating that UV254 abatement may be a possible surrogate parameter for short-chain PFAS elimination. Correlations (Pearson's r > −0.60) between the removals of nitrate and PFAS were observed. © 2026 The Authors
Climate-driven challenges probably increase disinfection in drinking water systems. Interactions between disinfectants and infrastructure materials remain understudied. This study quantifies the consumption of chlorine, the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the formation of regulated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) from 20 common materials: polymeric pipes, seals, fittings, epoxy resins, and cement mortar. The materials were pulverized to maximize the surface area and create a worst-case scenario. The results were compared with standardized migration tests. Chlorine depletion (>90%) was observed in the waters exposed to epoxy resins, seals, and cement. The formation of DBP, especially trichloromethane (TCM), exceeded 100 μg/L in samples of epoxy resins, cement, vulcanized fiber, and polyamide; TCM was detected in polyethylene pipe materials at concentrations between 5 and 18 μg/L. Increased temperatures enhanced DOC leaching and THM formation. Relations between DOC and DBP concentrations indicate material leachates as precursors. The results highlight the importance of material selection and testing for disinfected drinking water systems, providing critical insights for risk assessment, material certification, and regulatory development. ©2026 The Authors
Ozonation is an established advanced treatment process to transform organic micropollutants present in wastewater treatment plant effluents. In the presence of bromide, ozone treatment can cause formation of the oxidation byproduct bromate. Due to its potential carcinogenicity, its concentration in drinking water is regulated and limited to 10 μg/L in the European Union. Understanding relevant influences on bromate formation and potential control options is crucial to ensuring surface water quality and safe drinking water in case of semi-closed water cycles. This study investigates the bromate formation potential for four wastewater treatment plant effluents of the largest German city Berlin. Laboratory-scale ozonation experiments were conducted with varying ozone doses and bromide concentrations to determine bromate formation for different conditions that might occur during real operation. The results show native bromide concentrations of 0.14 to 0.32 mg/L and bromate concentrations of 0.3 to 1.3 μg/L for ozone consumptions around 0.7 mg/mg O3/DOC at pH values between 7 and 8. This corresponds to bromate yields of 0.2 to 0.6% (mg/mg bromate/bromide). Splitting the ozone dose into multiple smaller doses proved to be an efficient bromate control option for high specific ozone consumptions, with up to 48% less bromate formation. The results underline that the bromate formation potential in Berlin wastewater treatment plants does not limit ozonation as advanced wastewater treatment, since bromate concentrations of all plants were significantly below the drinking water limit of 10 μg/L for specific ozone consumptions around 0.7 mg/mg O3/DOC, even at artificially elevated bromide concentrations. © 2026 The Authors.
Accurate estimation of the disease burden attributable to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) requires reliable exposure data with an adequate spatial resolution. While coarse-resolution models are commonly used for national assessments, the impact of spatial resolution on environmental burden of disease (EBD) estimates remains understudied. We compared two modelling approaches for PM2.5 exposure in Germany: a chemical transport model (REM-CALGRID [RCG], 2 × 2 km² resolution) and a high-resolution hybrid geostatistical land-use regression model (PMR, 100 × 100 m² resolution). EBD estimates were calculated for five health outcomes using established concentration-response functions. Across all outcomes, the PMR model consistently produced slightly higher EBD estimates—approximately 2%–3% higher disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) than the coarser RCG model. The difference is due to improved detection of local pollution hotspots and more accurate exposure assignments in the high-resolution model. A larger share of the population was classified into higher exposure categories under the PMR model. Although the added value of high-resolution modelling is limited at national level, it offers clear benefits for small-area analyses and applications in environmental justice and health equity. Our findings support the integration of fine-scale exposure data into public health surveillance and burden of disease (BoD) assessments where feasible. © The Author(s) 2026
Impactful knowledge generation and utilisation, aiming at addressing environmental and sustainability challenges, requires meaningful interaction between scientists, stakeholders, policymakers and society. This study identifies key success factors and challenges at the science-policy-practice interaction, drawing on document analysis, interviews, and workshops involving experts, policymakers, and funders of environmental and sustainability research and innovation across 14 European countries. Experiences from current practices highlight the highly variable contexts for interaction and communication throughout Europe, a diverse range of tools and approaches, and differing levels of available resources. Siloed structures and the need to engage various societal sectors and levels of governance remain significant challenges. The development and employment of expertise in communication, interaction and knowledge co-creation, capable to orchestrate this variability, is essential. Greater recognition of the diverse dimensions of inclusive participation is proposed to ensure that environmental and sustainability research and innovation, aimed at societal transformation, leaves no one behind. © 2026 Lyytimäki J et al.
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