Behaviour and Fate of Pollutants in Rainwater Seepage

Abstract

Abstract Within the framework of an integrated project of the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology, the behaviour and fate of inorganic and organic rainwater components were examined at two seepage sites in Berlin. The findings are given for Pucklerpfuhl in Berlin-Dahlem, the catchment area of which is characterised by a relatively high volume of traffic. It was found, that the low salt infiltration water dilutes the more salty groundwater flow. Furthermore, the sludge sediment layer of the seepage pond proved to be a trap which prevents both heavy metals and organic pollutants from reaching the groundwater. Radionuclide measurements undertaken in parallel with the pollutant investigations made it possible to chronologically classify the pollutant discharges over the last four decades. This revealed that statutory measures to limit and reduce pollutants clearly had an effect and did reduce environmental pollution.