Iron pollution of the Spree: This is how the LMBV is fighting against the dilapidation!

Iron pollution of the Spree: This is how the LMBV is fighting against the dilapidation!

Spremberg, Deutschland - The burden of the Spree near Spremberg with iron hydroxide is an urgently treating problem for the region. The mining company LMBV has set itself the goal of reducing the iron load in the Spree to zero. However, this measure is lengthy because the Spree has been faced with iron -containing water for over a decade. The striking brown of the water is a direct sequence of the brown coal. In order to counteract this problem, the central water treatment plant in Vetschau is being renovated.

Since 2013, the LMBV iron hydroxide has been filtering from the Spree, with about half of the sludge that has been caught. A suction flushing excavator is responsible for getting the iron -containing mud from the depth and pumping in geotubes. In the past ten years, 500,000 tons of iron hydroxide mud have been removed. 6,000 tons of mud were filtered last year. The disposal takes place on landfill after a drying phase. The LMBV has already invested 110 million euros in combating the iron hydroxide, and the complete removal of the sludge is planned for the next few decades.

ecological risks and causes

The iron hydroxide pollution not only has aesthetic, but also serious ecological consequences. The rising groundwater level has meant that fabrics get into the Spree. This has endangered the ecosystem of the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve. Part of the iron sludge has already been deposited in the upper runs of the flowers and the small channels in the Spreewald, which is an ecological risk. The discoloration of the Spree has had a significant impact on the environment and animal world of the region since 2007.

The effect of so -called dilaptions, a process that releases iron oxide into surrounding waters is particularly worrying. In heavily affected channels, iron concentrations of up to 40 mg/l were measured, which is toxic for water creatures. Concentrations of 2-3 mg/l can endanger the brood. This leads to acidification of the water and the sludge of the sludge at the bottom, which in particular threatens the food base for birds and other animals.

Action alliance for clean water

The "Clear Spree" campaign alliance has set itself the goal of preventing mining -related fabric loads of the Lausitzer waters. The stabilization of the water balance is also required beyond the end of the lignite generation. A central requirement is the target for iron according to surface water ordinance of ≤ 1.8 mg/l to ensure healthy water quality. Furthermore, the permanent prevention of iron hydroxide and sulfate entries in the Spreewitzer gutter is to be achieved through targeted measures.

Politics and business in Brandenburg, Saxony and Berlin are asked to protect the Lausitzer waters and the Spree as a livelihood and to develop sustainable solutions for the water problem. Among other things, the measures include ensuring a minimum outflow for the Spree and the restraint of water in the landscape.

The late consequences of lignite mines turn out to be lengthy, and particularly heavy rain events in 2010 and 2011 tightened the problem with increased groundwater formation. The LMBV has now documented the effects of mining on the water quality and supports the continuous review of the iron and sulfate content in the waters. The recent measurements of Greenpeace also confirm the alarming values ​​and the need to act immediately.

For more information and details on the measures, you can report the reports from rbb24 , clear spree and Greenpeace pursue.