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Oder Flood 1997 - Implications For The German Part Of The Oder Lagoon 
A. Röpke 1 , M. von Weber & A. Bachor 
1 Ministry of the Environment Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 
Schloßstr. 6-8 
19053 Schwerin 
2 State Agency of Environment and Nature Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 
Badenstr. 18 
18439 Stralsund 
Abstract 
Results of a special investigation by the State Agency of Environment and Nature concerning 
effects of the 1997 Oder flood on the Oder Lagoon (German part) are presented and 
summerized as follows: 
• The input of water from the Oder flood into the Oder Lagoon (German part) started at the 
end of July 1997. By mid August the water was distributed all over the lagoon. 
• Parallel to the Oder flood a significant increase in silicate concentration was observed at 
the eastern station of the Oder Lagoon (German part). Increasing nitrate concentrations 
were registered between July 28 and August 6 exclusively on the eastern station of the 
German side of the lagoon. In contrast to silicate and nitrate, the Oder flood resulted in a 
slightly decrease of phosphate concentrations in the Oder Lagoon (German part). 
• The heavy metals zinc, copper and nickel didn't show any significant changes of 
concentrations during the Oder flood. Increases for lead, cadmium and mercury can be 
explained with elevated inputs via the river Oder. Lead concentrations already increased 
before the peak of the flood was reached. At the end of July the highest lead 
concentrations since 1992 were observed in the Oder Lagoon (German part). About 14 
days later the peaks for cadmium and mercury were registered. Similar high concentrations 
had been observed during the years before. 
• Twentysix pesticides were analysed in the Oder Lagoon (German part). Only atrazin and 
2,4-dichlorphenoxy acetic acid were measured in significant concentrations above the 
analytical detection limits. Atrazin, which is prohibited in Germany since 1992, was found 
with concentrations up to 200 ng/1. Such high values had not been found anywhere else in 
waters of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern including the river Elbe during 1997.