Iron pollution in the Spree: LMBV fights for clean water!

Iron pollution in the Spree: LMBV fights for clean water!

An explosive situation for the Spree and its surroundings: The Lusatian and Central German Mining Management Company (LMBV) has ambitious plans to drastically reduce iron pollution in the Spree. This initiative aims to reduce iron levels to zero. For more than a decade, the water quality near Spremberg has been massively impaired by iron hydroxide, and this is visible in the brown discoloration of the water. How rbb24 According to reports, the renovation of the water treatment plants in Vetschau is already in full swing, while iron-containing sludge continues to be pumped out of the Spree.

But where does all the iron come from? The brown coal opencast mining was originally responsible for this, lowering the groundwater level and bringing iron sulfide into contact with oxygen. This has led to alarming clogging of the water. Current measuring points in the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve show that the discoloration of the water is not just an aesthetic problem, but a serious ecological problem. The process of icing, which is considered a long-term consequence of brown coal mining, means that up to 40 mg/L iron has been detected in the affected waters. Even 2-3 mg/L can endanger fish fry, according to a report by Greenpeace.

Remedial measures and their urgency

The LMBV has already made significant efforts to improve water quality. Since 2013, numerous water treatment plants have been put into operation in the south of Spremberg, filtering around half of the sludge from the Spree. In the past ten years, 500,000 tons of iron hydroxide sludge have been transported away. But that's not all: the LMBV is currently thinking about building a new specialized mono-landfill for these residues in Kostebrau in order to be able to manage the disposal of the sludge in the long term EUWID documented.

The current renovation is necessary because the existing systems are getting old after twelve years and urgently need an update. To pump out the mud, a floating excavator is used, which pumps the mud into large geotubes. These must then be disposed of. The measures are costly; So far, over 110 million euros have been invested in combating iron hydroxide. The LMBV hopes that the cleanup in Vetschau can be completed by 2050, while Spremberg may take up to 100 years.

Ecological consequences and outlook

Environmentalists are worried: The brown mud that is spreading in the rivers could massively damage the ecosystem of the Spree Forest and also endanger tourism. Although the process of icing can currently only be observed in the upper reaches of the river, its spread offers a foretaste of the challenges ahead. Heavy rain and flood events in recent years have further exacerbated the situation by increasing groundwater formation, forcing iron-rich water into the rivers.

The challenges left by lignite mining should not be underestimated. While the LMBV is actively working on solutions, it remains to be seen how the water quality in the Spree will develop and what further measures are necessary to preserve the intact nature of the Spree Forest.