In April/May 1994 during a period of high discharge in the German part of the River Elbe (9 stations) and its main tributaries (3 stations) samples of suspended particulate matter (SPM) have been collected by means of sedimentation chambers with sampling periods of three or four weeks. Subsequent analyses for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) have shown that the river enters Germany with a rather low PCDD/F-load which almost steadily increases to below Hamburg. Major sources of contamination has been the input by the tributary Mulde and resuspension of contaminated sediments along the riversides. Downstream of Hamburg marine influence have caused a sharp decrease of PCDD/F-contents. Changes in the result of 1989, 1992/93 have been discussed.