How clean is the Panke?
After taking part in clean-up campaigns on beaches in Finland, Tenerife and along the Spree in Berlin, the dedicated students of the 'Our Happy Future' school club wanted to find out more. What is the actual state of our small but important Berlin city river, the Panke?
So, on 4 June, they set out to investigate its condition. Armed with measuring instruments and a thirst for experimentation, they took water samples and conducted a flow velocity experiment. Here are the most important results:
Conductivity: 1819 µS/cm
TDS (total dissolved solids): 908 ppm
pH value: 5.26
Flow velocity: approx. 0.37 m/s (10 m in 27.24 seconds).
These measurements indicate severe pollution: the pH value of 5.26 shows that the water in the Panke is highly acidic, which makes it difficult for aquatic organisms such as fish and insect larvae to survive. The high number of dissolved solids also suggests the presence of urban influences, such as sewage, road salt or industrial emissions.
What does this mean for us?
The students' research shows that even small urban rivers need our attention and protection. The Panke is an important habitat, not a nameless trickle – or at least it should be. For the 'Our Happy Future' working group, this means staying alert, observing closely and raising awareness – as well as taking action. After all, environmental awareness begins right on our doorstep.
