Heavy metal content of soils and sediments of the river Elbe in selected parts of East Germany

The former German Democratic Republic (GDR), now the five eastern states of Germany, had an intensive livestock and crop production characterized by wide application of agrochemicals and organic manure. This contributed to the contamination of the river Elbe which is known as one of the most polluted rivers in Europe. Consequently, it was assumed that the flood plains of the river Elbe which are used as grassland (nearly 85.680 hectares in the eastern states) are also polluted. First results of our research on heavy metal pollution of arable soils, high flood sediments, and flood plains will be presented and discussed. (orig.)