Zur Ökologie Abwasserbelasteter Altrheine

The backwaters of the Upper Rhine can be divided into two types, namely the Sondernheim type and the Leimersheim type. The first one obtains its water mainly from small tributaries of the Rhine, the latter one by the Rhine itself. Both of them are polluted to nearly the same extent by organic matter. In the Sondernheim type biological decomposition starts intensively. It leads to mass-production of a few animal species in the upper, to less production of a large number of animal species in the lower part of its flow. In the Leimersheim type neither biological decomposition, nor mass-production nor a high species-diversity are to be observed. The possible causes of this difference are under discussion. It is necessary to notice them when technical measures to improve the hydrological and hydrobiological situation of the ancient meanders of the Rhine are under consideration.