A36/00 Nutrient management in the Danube Basin and its impact on the Black Sea

01.02.2001 - 17.11.2005
Research funding project
Mismanagement of nutrients in the Danube Basin resulted in severe eutrophication problems in Western Black Sea coastal area (WBSC) until the early 1990ies. For better nutrient management in the future improved knowledge is needed concerning (i) the sources, pathways, stocks, losses and sinks of nutrients in a large river catchment, (ii) the effects of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and silica) on the receiving ecosystems, (iii) related management tools for nutrients in the Danube Basins and (iv) the future development (scenarios) of nutrient management and its effect on water quality and on the socio-economic development in the Danubian countries. Material flow analysis was successfully combined with MONERIS-, DANUBE WATER QUALITY-, DANUBE DELTA- and BLACK SEA PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL Models able to quantitatively describe the nutrient relevant sources, transport phenomena and processes in the Danube catchment and their effect on the WBSC ecosystem. The performed simulations of the seasonal cycle of the physical and biogeochemical variables over the last decade are in agreement with the observations. The following conclusions can be drawn from these achievements: Ecological indicators show significant improvement of WBSC due to decreased nutrient discharges (mainly phosphorus) of Danube into the WBSC caused by (i) the economic crises in the Central and Eastern Europe Countries (less fertilizer production and application and reduced animal stock and manure disposal), (ii) the introduction of P free detergents (iii) P- and N-removal at treatment plants (A, D,CZ). The tools developed allow an improved nutrient management of large (international) river basins as required e.g. by EU-WFD. Still there is an important risk of not reaching good ecological status in the WBSC. The recovery of the economic situation in the CEE countries is going lead to increasing nutrient loads to the WBSC (agriculture, industry), if not improved nutrient management is applied. In addition the development of sewer systems will lead to an increase of nutrient discharges to the rivers if not waste water treatment with nutrient removal is performed. The natural buffer capacity of the river system for nutrients is much higher in smaller creeks, than in Danube River, its wetlands (including the Delta) and its main tributaries.

People

Project leader

Institute

Grant funds

  • European Commission (EU) Other EU Research Initiative European Commission Application number 00051

Keywords

GermanEnglish
Schwarzes MeerBlack Sea
Donaudanube
Flussgebietsbewirtschaftungriver basin management
Nährstoffbewirtschaftungnutrient management

Publications