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Chemicals in European waters

Publication Created 14 Jan 2019 Published 16 Jan 2019
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This report’s aim is to improve understanding of which chemicals continue to pose significant risks to the environment, especially when they are present in water. It also looks at how better knowledge and understanding can help to improve controls to minimise harm. The report gives an overview of information about pollutants used in the assessment of water quality under the Water Framework Directive, and describes some of the newer techniques available for the assessment of water quality.
Downloading: PDF document icon Chemicals in European waters TH-AL-18-017-EN-N.pdf — PDF document, 15.02 MB (15753144 bytes)
Publication Created 14 Jan 2019 Published 16 Jan 2019
EEA Report No 18/2018
This report’s aim is to improve understanding of which chemicals continue to pose significant risks to the environment, especially when they are present in water. It also looks at how better knowledge and understanding can help to improve controls to minimise harm. The report gives an overview of information about pollutants used in the assessment of water quality under the Water Framework Directive, and describes some of the newer techniques available for the assessment of water quality.

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Chemical risk estimates for European water bodies The map displays the fraction of sites where the maximum chemical concentration exceeds the acute risk threshold (left) and the mean chemical concentration exceeds the chronic risk threshold (right) for any organism group. The color code in the map shows the level of chemical risk, from low chemical risk (green) to high chemical risk (red).
Metal pollution in the Weser catchment from mining areas in the Harz Mountains Water bodies have been classified under the Water Framework Directive. Blue areas are water bodies at good chemical status. Red streams are failing to achieve good chemical status. Grey areas are not classified for chemical status. The river and floodplain sediments have been contaminated with the waste and mine water over centuries. In the floodplains high lead and cadmium concentrations affect the agriculture at pasture and arable land along the river floodplains.
Impact of mercury on European water quality The data relate to the total number of water bodies in each country which have failed the WFD criteria for Hg.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/chemicals-in-european-waters or scan the QR code.

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