Eutrophication modeling, management and decision making : The Kis-Balaton case

• Published in: Water science and technology 1998, Vol.37 (3), p.165-175
• Main Author: SOMLYODY, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural management; Algae; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Aquatic plants; Biological and medical sciences; Continental surface waters; Cyanobacteria; Decision making; Design modifications; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Eutrophication; Evaluation; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh water environment; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Inflow; Lakes; Macrophytes; Mineral nutrients; Modelling; Multiple criterion; Natural water pollution; Nature conservation; Nutrient removal; Phosphorus; Phosphorus cycle; Phytoplankton; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Removal; Reservoirs; Retention; Soil; Water levels; Water pollution; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(98)00067-5

Attempts to solve the problems of the Kis-Balaton reservoir system are described. The original design intended that macrophytes in the reservoirs would remove phosphorus and control eutrophication in Balaton lake. This was not successful: the upper reservoir became a hypertrophic phytoplankton system and phosphorus retention by reed stands in the lower reservoir was inadequate. The high water level and algal-rich flows tended to destroy the reeds. The remedial approach incorporated the integrated study of nutrient cycling, soil and sediment processes, groundwater, water balance, water circulation, water levels, nature conservation impacts and their costs. The phosphorus models tested were: single box and Koble-Corrigan isotherm assumption; single box with Freundlich isotherm; and 2 box with Langmuir isotherm. Alternatives were evaluated with several hydrological and meteorological scenarios and phosphorus loads. The production of a suitable sorption isotherm within the soil-sediment system was problematic but reliable estimates were eventually obtained from a multiple box model which harmonized the fast dynamics of the water column and the slow changes in soil/sediment. Modifications were proposed for the lower reservoir to reconcile phosphorus removal, flood protection and nature conservation.