PCDD/F sources and levels in River Elbe sediments

River Elbe sediments from 1991–1993 were analysed to determine polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F). The type of source and the charges between two neighbouring sample sites are characterized by the difference in their single congener PCDD/F-patterns. Three main sources could be identified as sewage sludge, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pentachlorophenol use. The other patterns could not be clearly related to a single main source regarding the PCDD/F homologues. In samples of 1992 and 1993, only one sample shows a pattern which could be related to polychlorinated biphenyls. The PCDD/>F burden of the River Elbe is completed with values from the literature.