Field Trip to Bavaria – Laboratory Trade Fair and Bavarian Environment Agency

At the end of March, a delegation from the department for Land Use and Land Development, together with the laboratory team, set off on a two-day trip to Bavaria. The first day was devoted entirely to ‘Analytica’, a trade fair for all kinds of laboratory equipment in Munich. Following a pre-defined plan, the team specifically gathered information on potential new purchases – such as a gas pycnometer or a microwave digestion system. At the same time, the team took the opportunity to find out about possible replacement solutions for ageing equipment in their own laboratory, such as the ion chromatography system or the ultrapure water treatment system.

On Friday, the trip continued to Wielenbach to the branch office of the Bavarian Environment Agency (LfU). The focus of this visit was on professional exchange, establishing new contacts and broadening our horizons. Particular interest was shown in the lysimeter facility there, which is used in Wielenbach primarily for investigations into pollutants. Large-volume soil cylinders are taken from contaminated sites or various project areas across Bavaria and subjected to long-term, detailed analysis in Wielenbach. Currently, there is a particular focus on PFAS.

The laboratory facilities in Wielenbach, which are primarily used for sample preparation, were also visited and held some interesting surprises – including a laboratory-scale experimental wastewater treatment plant. The tour of the fish farm with its adjoining experimental hall for ecotoxicology was also very exciting; here, targeted investigations are carried out into how various types of potential pollutants affect fish.

After a group pizza at the LfU to round off the visit, the group set off on their return journey to Petzenkirchen, armed with many new impressions, valuable insights and new contacts. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Ann-Sophie Heldele, Olga Titova and Korbinian Freier, as well as the entire team at the Wielenbach site, for their warm and friendly welcome and the exciting and enriching exchange!