Interactions between atmospheric deposition and nutrient status or soil condition were studied using correlation analysis of the principal factors values for the year 1989. In case of both species, especially sulphur and calcium (factor 1) input is related to high foliar content of sulphur and calcium. The same influence can be detected for nitrogen (factor 3). Nitrogen inputs on Scots pine stands influenced the magnesium sufficient in a negative way

The present study evaluated the interactive effects of global change and heavy metals on the growth and development of three soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars and the consequences on yield and food safety. Soybean cultivars (Alim 3.14 from Argentina, and ES Mentor and Sigalia, from Germany) were grown until maturity in heavy metals polluted soils from the Rhine Valley, Germany, at two CO₂ concentrations (400 and 550 ppm) and heat stress (HS) episodes (9 days with 10 °C higher than maximum regular temperature) during the critical growth period in controlled environmental chambers. Different morpho-physiological parameters, heavy metal concentration in aerial organs, seed quality parameters, and toxicological index were recorded. The results showed that no morphological differences were observed related to CO₂. Moreover, Alim 3.14 showed the highest yield under control conditions, but it was more sensitive to climatic conditions than the German cultivars, especially to heat stress which strongly reduces the biomass of the fruits. Heavy metals concentration in soil exceeds the legislation limits for agricultural soils for Cd and Pb, with 1.6 and 487 mg kg⁻¹ respectively. In all cultivars, soybeans accumulated Cd in its aerial organs, and it could be translocated to fruits. Cd concentration in seeds ranged between 0.6 and 2.4 mg kg⁻¹, which exceed legislation limits and with toxicological risk to potential Chinese consumers. Pb levels were lower than Cd in seeds (0.03–0.17 mg kg⁻¹), and the accumulation were concentrated in the vegetative organs, with 93% of the Pb incorporated. Moreover, pods accumulated 11 times more Pb than seeds, which suggests that they act as a barrier to the passage of Pb to their offspring. These results evidence that soybean can easily translocate Cd, but not Pb, to reproductive organs. No regular patterns were observed in relation to climatic influence on heavy metal uptake.

Lead concentrations in hard antlers of adult European roebucks (Capreolus capreolus) were analyzed to assess lead exposure of roe deer roaming the floodplain of the Innerste River, a river system contaminated due to historical metal ore mining, processing, and smelting in its upper reaches. Antler lead concentrations of roebucks culled in the period 1939–2018 within or close to the Innerste floodplain ranged between <0.17 mg Pb/kg (limit of detection) and 51.5 mg Pb/kg (air-dry weight). Median lead concentration in antlers of roebucks culled within the floodplain was 11.1 mg Pb/kg, compared to 2.3 mg Pb/kg in antlers of bucks culled in the floodplain vicinity (P < 0.01). Sampling year had no significant effect on antler lead concentrations (P = 0.748). Lead isotope ratios of antlers from the Innerste downstream area (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb: 1.179–1.181; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb: 2.083–2.085) fell within the range of those reported for hydrothermal vein deposits from the upper catchment area of the Innerste River in the Harz Mountains. Our study demonstrates the long-lasting impact of the historical metal ore mining, processing, and smelting in the Harz Mountains on lead pollution in floodplains of rivers draining this area and the lead exposure of wild herbivores inhabiting the floodplains. Furthermore, it highlights the suitability of roe deer antlers for monitoring environmental lead levels and the usefulness of lead isotope signatures in antlers for source apportionment of lead pollution.

Lichens serve as important bioindicators of air pollution in cities. Here, we studied the diversity of epiphytic lichens in the urban area of Munich, Bavaria, southern Germany, to determine which factors influence species composition and diversity. Lichen diversity was quantified in altogether 18 plots and within each, five deciduous trees were investigated belonging to on average three tree species (range 1–5). Of the 18 plots, two were sampled in control areas in remote areas of southern Germany. For each lichen species, frequency of occurrence was determined in 10 quadrats of 100 cm² on the tree trunk. Moreover, the cover percentage of bryophytes was determined and used as a variable to represent potential biotic competition. We related our diversity data (species richness, Shannon index, evenness, abundance) to various environmental variables including tree traits, i.e. bark pH levels and species affiliation and air pollution data, i.e. NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations measured in the study plots. The SO₂ levels measured in our study were generally very low, while NO₂ levels were rather high in some plots. We found that the species composition of the epiphytic lichen communities was driven mainly by NO₂ pollution levels and all of the most common species in our study were nitrophilous lichens. Low NO₂ but high SO₂ values were associated with high lichen evenness. Tree-level lichen diversity and abundance were mainly determined by tree traits, not air pollution. These results confirm that ongoing NO₂ air pollution within cities is a major threat to lichen diversity, with non-nitrophilous lichens likely experiencing the greatest risk of local extinctions in urban areas in the future. Our study moreover highlights the importance of large urban green spaces for species diversity. City planners need to include large green spaces when designing urban areas, both to improve biodiversity and to promote human health and wellbeing.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs, MCCPs) are high-production volume industrial chemicals that have been previously reported to occur in food, packaging material and the environment. This study presents an assessment of dietary exposure for consumers in Southern Germany based on three different sampling approaches: (i) a classical market basket study (n = 154), (ii) the analysis of ready-made meals from restaurants (n = 10), and (iii) a total diet approach (n = 21). In 35% of the samples, CPs were below the method limit of quantification. Highest amounts of SCCPs and MCCPs were found especially in extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) and fish. Homologue patterns indicated the partial removal of CPs during the refining of (other) edible oils. Ready-made meals contained only low amounts of CPs equal to estimations based on market basket samples. Total diet samples from the same hospital were generally comparable with each other regardless of diet, although vegetarian meal plans with high amounts of cheese and other dairy products contained up to an order of magnitude more CPs than other diets. Taking all approaches into account, calculated daily exposures for adults ranged 35–420 ng/kg bw/day for ΣSCCPs and 22–840 ng/kg bw/day for ΣMCCPs, which is between one and two orders of magnitude higher than the current dietary intake of polychlorinated biphenyls (indicator PCBs) in Europe.