Gadolinium, one of the rare earth elements, is one of the main components in contrast agents used for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Although not harmful itself, this gadolinium can serve as an indicator for other wastewater-derived substances, such as pharmaceutical residues, which could be hazardous. Under the lead of Michael Bau, Professor of Geosciences, the working group for “Resource & Environmental Studies” at Jacobs University has tested samples of Bremen’s drinking water for rare earth elements and compared them with gadolinium-contaminated samples from Berlin. The results are reassuring for Bremen-based consumers: None of the drinking water samples from the State of Bremen have tested positive for anthropogenic gadolinium.