{"id":76963,"date":"2025-11-03T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/?p=76963"},"modified":"2025-11-02T21:45:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T20:45:14","slug":"exploring-environmental-impacts-on-microbial-biodiversity-along-the-rhine-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/connections\/exploring-environmental-impacts-on-microbial-biodiversity-along-the-rhine-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring environmental impacts on microbial biodiversity along the Rhine River"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Rhine River is one of Europe\u2019s longest rivers, crossing six Central European countries before reaching the North Sea. Along its length, it harbours a vast amount of invisible life in the form of microbial ecosystems. Can we identify the hidden biodiversity within these communities? How do external factors affect the smallest life forms along such European waterways? And what can microbes tell us about the state of ecosystems in general?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are some of the questions that form part of a new EMBL-led pilot project. Scientists will investigate biodiversity and ecosystems of the Rhine, its tributaries, and lakes in its surroundings in Rhineland-Palatinate, focusing on microbiomes in pristine and polluted, riverine, terrestrial and lacustrine ecosystems along the river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No organism or community exists in isolation. Instead, they form complex networks through interactions with other life forms and their specific habitat environments. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate web of interactions between microbes, macroscopic life, and geochemical processes is crucial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilot study will examine microbial biodiversity and the effects that changes in the environment \u2013 for example, through human impact such as pollution \u2013  have on microbial ecosystems. EMBL researchers will analyse soils, sediments, and waters to explore the metagenome \u2013 the combined genetic material of all organisms in a given environment \u2013 and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes. This will help to identify which types of species are present to what extent, and how antibiotic resistance is spreading between different ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team will also investigate the presence of pollutants, such as pesticides, synthetic hormones, pharmaceuticals, microplastics and \u2018forever chemicals\u2019 PFAS, to map their effects on biodiversity and ecosystems. Additionally, these studies will contribute to the assessment of microbial activity that might help to degrade such substances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the interdisciplinary expeditions team will sample at seven sites. Using high-resolution molecular methods, they can subsequently study microbial life \u2013 the foundation of many ecological processes \u2013 at an unprecedented level of detail. To track long-term changes in water and soil quality, the team is establishing systematic time series. This approach allows for early detection of subtle ecological declines and the future development of targeted measures to counteract them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Using cutting-edge biomolecular technologies (multi-omics), we aim to work with EMBL to capture the complex effects of various pollutants on biodiversity and ecosystems in the Rhine,\u201d said Climate Protection Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate Katrin Eder. \u201cOur goal is to understand exactly what happens at the microbial level so that protective measures can be tailored in a more targeted and evidence-based way \u2013 embedded within a European scientific framework. We are confident that this approach will also reveal microbial activities that contribute to the breakdown of pollutants. From biodiversity to drinking water production \u2013 life unfolds along the river, and everyone benefits from a healthy Rhine ecosystem.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research without borders: the Rhine as part of a European network<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The project exemplifies EMBL\u2019s broader vision of understanding life in context through molecular approaches, and is part of the pan-European Traversing Ecosystems (TREC) initiative<\/a>. Following the successful completion of sampling along Europe\u2019s coastlines in 2023 and 2024, EMBL is now expanding its expedition to include freshwater systems with the aim of creating a comprehensive map of ecosystems on a cross-regional scale. Through standardised approaches in sampling and analysis, results can be placed in a continent-wide context, thereby strengthening Europe\u2019s capacity to monitor and protect its ecosystems across borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are grateful to receive direct support from the Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility of Rhineland-Palatinate for this work on the Rhine,\u201d said Peer Bork, EMBL Interim Director General and Scientific Director of TREC. \u201cAs for our European coastlines expedition, close collaboration with partners continues to be at the heart of our efforts to explore and understand biodiversity and ecosystems at the molecular and cellular level.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilot project was officially kicked off with a short ceremony, including the official handover of the grant agreement in Worms on 31 October 2025. This was followed by the collection of the first set of samples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bork added: \u201cWe want to rapidly translate the latest insights that fundamental research delivers into real-life applications. EMBL provides data-driven intelligence on highly relevant environmental aspects such as pollution and antimicrobial resistance, which can support decision-makers in taking evidence-based action. With this pilot study, EMBL is laying the foundation for future cross-European research expeditions on freshwater ecosystems and their societal application.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EMBL\u2019s <\/em>efforts to expand pioneering expedition-based research into freshwater ecosystems<\/em><\/a> receive support from the Klaus Tschira Stiftung. The pilot project in Rhineland-Palatinate is supported by the Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility through the project \u201cNutzung von Mikroben f\u00fcr den Umweltschutz und f\u00fcr die Zukunftsf\u00e4higkeit des Lebens im Rheingebiet von Rheinland-Pfalz\u201d. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Erforschung von Umwelteinfl\u00fcssen auf die mikrobielle Biodiversit\u00e4t entlang des Rheins<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Eine neue Pilotstudie untersucht die bislang unerforschte mikrobielle Vielfalt, die Auswirkungen von Schadstoffen und das Vorkommen von Antibiotikaresistenzen entlang des Rheins mit dem Ziel, den Zustand von \u00d6kosystemen in und entlang europ\u00e4ischer Wasserwege besser zu verstehen und langfristig zu bewerten.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Der Rhein ist einer der l\u00e4ngsten Fl\u00fcsse Europas und flie\u00dft durch sechs zentraleurop\u00e4ische L\u00e4nder, bevor er in die Nordsee m\u00fcndet. Entlang seines Verlaufs beherbergt er eine enorme, meist unsichtbare Vielfalt an mikrobiellen Lebensgemeinschaften.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welche verborgene Biodiversit\u00e4t steckt in diesen Mikroben-Gemeinschaften? Wie wirken sich \u00e4u\u00dfere Einfl\u00fcsse auf diese kleinsten Lebensformen in europ\u00e4ischen Gew\u00e4ssern aus? Und was k\u00f6nnen Mikroben \u00fcber den Zustand unserer \u00d6kosysteme verraten?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diesen Fragen geht ein neues, vom EMBL geleitetes Pilotprojekt nach. Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler untersuchen Biodiversit\u00e4t und \u00d6kosysteme des Rheins, seiner Nebenfl\u00fcsse und umliegender Seen in Rheinland-Pfalz. Der Fokus liegt auf den Mikrobiomen in Gew\u00e4ssern und dem diese umgebenden Erdreich in Gegenden mit unterschiedlich hoher Belastung durch menschliche Aktivit\u00e4ten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organismen und Lebensgemeinschaften existieren nicht in Isolation. Im Gegenteil: sie sind vielmehr Teil komplexer Netzwerke aus biologischen Wechselwirkungen und Umweltfaktoren. Ein umfassendes Verst\u00e4ndnis dieser komplexen Verflechtungen zwischen Mikroben, gr\u00f6\u00dferen Organismen und geochemischen Prozessen ist entscheidend, um \u00f6kologische Zusammenh\u00e4nge zu verstehen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Die Pilotstudie untersucht daher die mikrobielle Biodiversit\u00e4t sowie die Auswirkungen von Umweltver\u00e4nderungen \u2013 etwa durch Verschmutzung \u2013 auf mikrobielle \u00d6kosysteme. Forschende des EMBL analysieren Boden-, Sediment- und Wasserproben, um das Metagenom \u2013 also das gesamte genetische Material aller Organismen in einer Umweltprobe \u2013 zu entschl\u00fcsseln und das Vorkommen von Antibiotikaresistenzgenen zu bestimmen. So kann erfasst werden, welche Arten vorkommen, in welcher H\u00e4ufigkeit, und wie sich Resistenzen zwischen verschiedenen \u00d6kosystemen verbreiten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dar\u00fcber hinaus werden Schadstoffe wie Pestizide, synthetische Hormone, Arzneimittelr\u00fcckst\u00e4nde, Mikroplastik und sogenannte \u201eForever Chemicals\u201c (PFAS) identifiziert, um ihre Auswirkungen auf Biodiversit\u00e4t und \u00d6kosysteme zu kartieren. Die Untersuchungen tragen auch zur Bewertung mikrobieller Aktivit\u00e4ten bei, die potenziell zum Abbau solcher Substanzen beitragen k\u00f6nnen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Rheinland-Pfalz wird das interdisziplin\u00e4re Expeditionsteam an insgesamt sieben Standorten Proben entnehmen. Mithilfe modernster Technologien, k\u00f6nnen die Forschenden das mikrobielle Leben \u2013 die Grundlage vieler \u00f6kologischer Prozesse \u2013 mit bisher unerreichter Pr\u00e4zision untersuchen. Um langfristige Ver\u00e4nderungen in der Wasser- und Bodenqualit\u00e4t zu erkennen, werden systematische Zeitreihen eingerichtet. Diese erm\u00f6glichen die fr\u00fchzeitige Erkennung schleichender \u00f6kologischer Ver\u00e4nderungen und die Entwicklung gezielter Gegenma\u00dfnahmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eMit Hilfe modernster biomolekularer Technologien (Multinomics) m\u00f6chten wir mit dem EMBL die komplexen Einfl\u00fcsse verschiedenster Schadstoffe auf die Biodiversit\u00e4t und die \u00d6kosysteme am Rhein erfassen\u201c, sagte Klimaschutzministerin des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz, Katrin Eder. \u201eUnser Ziel ist es, genau zu verstehen, was auf mikrobieller Ebene geschieht, damit wir Schutzma\u00dfnahmen noch gezielter und wissensbasiert anpassen k\u00f6nnen \u2013 eingebettet in einen europ\u00e4ischen Wissenschaftsrahmen. Wir sind zuversichtlich, dabei auch mikrobiellen Aktivit\u00e4ten zu begegnen, die zum Abbau von Schadstoffen beitragen k\u00f6nnen. Von der Artenvielfalt bis zur Trinkwassergewinnung \u2013 das Leben spielt sich am Fluss ab und so profitieren alle von einem gesunden \u00d6kosystem Rhein.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forschung ohne Grenzen: Der Rhein als Teil eines europ\u00e4ischen Netzwerks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Das Projekt steht exemplarisch f\u00fcr die Vision des EMBL, das Leben im Kontext zu verstehen \u2013 durch molekulare Ans\u00e4tze und internationale Zusammenarbeit – und ist Teil der gesamteurop\u00e4ischen Traversing Ecosystems (TREC)<\/a>-Initiative. Nach erfolgreichen Probenahmen entlang der europ\u00e4ischen K\u00fcsten in den Jahren 2023 und 2024 erweitert das EMBL seine Expedition nun auf Binnengew\u00e4sser, um eine umfassende Karte europ\u00e4ischer \u00d6kosysteme zu erstellen. Durch standardisierte Probenahmen und Analysen k\u00f6nnen die Ergebnisse europaweit verglichen werden. So wird die F\u00e4higkeit Europas gest\u00e4rkt, \u00d6kosysteme grenz\u00fcberschreitend zu untersuchen und zu sch\u00fctzen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWir freuen uns sehr \u00fcber die direkte Unterst\u00fctzung durch das Ministerium f\u00fcr Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie und Mobilit\u00e4t Rheinland-Pfalz f\u00fcr diese Arbeiten am Rhein\u201c, sagte Prof. Peer Bork, Interim Generaldirektor des EMBL und wissenschaftlicher Direktor der TREC-Initiative. \u201eWie schon bei unserer europ\u00e4ischen K\u00fcstenexpedition steht auch hier die enge Zusammenarbeit mit unseren Partnern im Zentrum unserer Bem\u00fchungen, Biodiversit\u00e4t und \u00d6kosysteme auf molekularer und zellul\u00e4rer Ebene zu verstehen.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Das Pilotprojekt wurde am 31. Oktober 2025 in Worms mit einer Zeremonie zur \u00dcbergabe des Zuwendungsvertrags offiziell gestartet. Im Anschluss erfolgten Probenentnahmen direkt vor Ort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bork erg\u00e4nzte: \u201eWir m\u00f6chten neueste Erkenntnisse aus der Grundlagenforschung rasch in praxisrelevante Anwendungen <\/strong>\u00fcberf\u00fchren. Das EMBL liefert datenbasierte Erkenntnisse zu zentralen Umweltaspekten wie Verschmutzung und antimikrobieller Resistenz, die Entscheidungstr\u00e4gerinnen und Entscheidungstr\u00e4gern helfen k\u00f6nnen, wissenschaftlich fundierte Ma\u00dfnahmen zu ergreifen. Mit dieser Pilotstudie legt das EMBL den Grundstein f\u00fcr zuk\u00fcnftige europaweite Expeditionen zu S\u00fc\u00dfwasser\u00f6kosystemen \u2013  Forschung mit hoher gesellschaftlicher Relevanz.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Die Erweiterung der EMBL-Expeditionsforschung auf S\u00fc\u00dfwasser\u00f6kosysteme wird von der Klaus Tschira Stiftung unterst\u00fctzt. Das Pilotprojekt in Rheinland-Pfalz wird durch das Ministerium f\u00fcr Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie und Mobilit\u00e4t Rheinland-Pfalz im Rahmen des Projekts \u201eNutzung von Mikroben f\u00fcr den Umweltschutz und f\u00fcr die Zukunftsf\u00e4higkeit des Lebens im Rheingebiet von Rheinland-Pfalz\u201c<\/em> gef\u00f6rdert.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

EMBL is leading a pilot study along the Rhine River to explore microbial biodiversity, the effects of pollutants, and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Using advanced biomolecular methods, the project aims to inform evidence-based measures to protect ecosystems and water quality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":77045,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17595],"tags":[13938,530,17255,5736,13936],"embl_taxonomy":[4798,13104],"class_list":["post-76963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connections","tag-expedition","tag-funding","tag-mobile-services","tag-planetary-biology","tag-trec","embl_taxonomy-international-relations","embl_taxonomy-trec"],"acf":{"vfwp-news_embl_taxonomy":[13104,4798],"featured":true,"show_featured_image":false,"field_target_display":"embl","field_article_language":{"value":"english","label":"English"},"article_intro":"

A pilot study will investigate undetermined microbial diversity, the impacts of pollutants, and antibiotic resistance along the Rhine River as part of a wider effort to assess the condition of ecosystems in and along European waterways<\/p>\n","related_links":[{"link_description":"Expedition Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) ","link_url":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/about\/info\/trec\/"},{"link_description":"EMBL Mobile Laboratories","link_url":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/mobile-labs\/"}],"source_article":false,"in_this_article":false,"press_contact":"EMBL Generic","article_translations":[{"translation_language":"Deutsch","translation_anchor":"#deutsch"}],"languages":""},"embl_taxonomy_terms":[{"uuid":"a:2:{i:0;s:36:\"302cfdf7-365b-462a-be65-82c7b783ebf7\";i:1;s:36:\"9ffbb90a-8976-4bfa-a41e-abb53a2c6122\";}","parents":[],"name":["International Relations"],"slug":"international-relations","description":"What > International 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