Non-target screening in the Rhine basin

The states in the Rhine River basin have been cooperating for decades to protect the Rhine - an important habitat for freshwater organisms and a source of drinking water. The water quality of the Rhine has significantly improved. However, pollution from diffuse sources and micropollutants still poses a challenge. 

Until recently, monitoring of the water quality is mostly done on a predefined selection of target substances, that are known to harm the environment.  In recent years, non-target screening (NTS) by means of liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has gained importance. This allows to detect a very broad spectrum of substances including substances that are yet not monitored within the scope of environmental protection. Some measuring stations along the Rhine had already long-standing experience in this area.

2021-2024 pilot project

To optimize the methodology and to link the initiatives from the different stations, the ICPR and five authorities from Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands, launched a pilot project from 2021 until 2024, partly funded by the European Union under the EU LIFE programme.

The goal was to develop a new approach for non-target screening data that is international, centralized, innovative and fast, covering data processing, evaluation and storage. This approach is implemented through a new evaluation and visualisation tool.

2024-2029 project

Thanks to the success of the project, the project partners have decided to continue and further expand non-target screening in the Rhine River basin from 2024 until at least 2029. New project partners with additional monitoring stations from France and Luxembourg have joined the project. There is also an exchange with Austria.