Diffuse pollution of soils, surface waters, and ground-water by anthropogenic organic and inorganic compounds is a growing global concern. Pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, household products, pesticides and insecticides, as well as persistent organic pollutants may be detected in the environment years after their application or use. Which types of pollutants show up in which compartments, how they are transported, to which extend are they degraded or stored, and what are their possible adverse effects are main research aspects.
