contamination / legacy burden
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contaminated site
Environmental contamination on a piece of land that comes from previous use and poses a danger to health or the environment.
Die Sanierung der industriellen Altlast auf dem Gelände wird Millionen kosten.
The remediation of the industrial contaminated site on the property will cost millions.
The word is made up of 'alt' (old) and 'die Last' (the burden). So it literally describes an 'old burden' or an 'old problem,' which fits both environmental contamination and figurative problems from the past.
Alte Schulden können zu einer schweren Last werden.
Old debts can become a heavy burden.
The meaning is easy to recognize from context. If the topic is land, soil, remediation, or the environment, the literal meaning is intended. With topics like finances, history, or personal problems, the figurative meaning is intended.
Auf dem alten Fabrikgelände wurden giftige Altlasten im Boden gefunden.
Toxic contamination was found in the soil on the old factory site.
In the figurative meaning, 'Altlast' (legacy burden) is often combined with adjectives like 'finanziell' (financial), 'historisch' (historical), or 'emotional' (emotional). Typical verbs are 'aufarbeiten' (to work through), 'beseitigen' (to eliminate), or 'bewältigen' (to cope with).
Der neue Chef muss die finanziellen Altlasten seines Vorgängers aufarbeiten.
The new boss has to work through his predecessor's financial legacy burdens.
burden / load
'die Belastung' and 'die Altlast' can both mean something negative that causes problems. 'Belastung' is general: it can be emotional, or it can result from harmful substances. 'Altlast' is more specific. It refers to something from the past that still causes trouble or is dangerous today, for example contaminated soil or an old unresolved problem. Learners may confuse the words because both describe a burden. The important point is: an 'Altlast' always comes from earlier times; a 'Belastung' can also arise right now.
Auf dem alten Fabrikgelände wurden gefährliche Altlasten im Boden gefunden.
Dangerous contamination was found in the soil on the old factory site.
Die hohe Belastung durch Abgase ist in der Innenstadt deutlich zu spüren.
The high exposure to exhaust fumes is clearly noticeable in the city center.