Pharmaceuticals in the River Rhine

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals are introduced into the River Rhine mainly via wastewater and can be detected almost permanently in mixed samples taken over the entire year. Depending on use and recalcitrance, the concentrations are in general below 0.1 μg L⁻¹, except for carbamacepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen and several X-ray contrast media. Thus the detected concentrations are quite comparable to the pesticide concentrations found in the River Rhine, but since pharmaceuticals are applied over the entire year and not depending on the seasonal application, the yearly transport rates can even be higher. Due to the high water flow in the River Rhine, it is quite unlikely, other than in small streams, that peak concentrations above 0.5 μg L⁻¹ can be detected. Thus there is a strong correlation between the water flow and the share of wastewater.