Pollution of Groundwater in the Danube River Basin by Hazardous Substances

Abstract

The implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Groundwater Directive and the reporting there under give a very good overview of those hazardous substances which are of considerable concern in the Danube River Basin. Thirty-two hazardous substances could be identified of definitely causing considerable pollution of groundwater in the Danube River Basin as they are causing poor chemical status of at least one groundwater body.

The establishment of groundwater threshold values for 72 hazardous substances also indicates that these substances are either already causing significant pollution or are reasonably suspicious of bearing potential to significant pollution. As threshold values are established on a risk-based approach at national, river basin or groundwater body level, considerable variations are evident within the Danube River Basin District. Additionally, national legislations identifying those substances which have to be prevented from entering groundwater according to Article 6 of the EU Groundwater Directive give strong indication of further hazardous substances being relevant.