Materials Accounting as a Policy Tool for Nutrient Management in the Danube Basin

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ch. Lampert ◽  
P. H. Brunner

Nutrient management has to consider both: Nutrients as essential elements for the biosphere with limited resources and nutrients as potential environmental pollutants (eutrophication, groundwater-deterioration). Materials Accounting techniques enable to describe and quantify the metabolism of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in large river Basins, such as the Danube Basin. By knowing the sources and pathways of nutrients it is possible (i) to identify the key causes of pollution problems and (ii) to point out inefficient use of the limited resource “nutrients”. Additionally, it is possible to design efficient measures based on nutrient balances. Materials Accounting observes the changes of stocks within a time interval. Therefore, it allows the early recognition of the accumulation and depletion of harmful substances (e.g. Nitrate in the groundwater) or of limited resources (e.g. P in topsoils) in the environment. In combination with scenario development Materials Accounting has a high predictive power. There is a substantial difference in designing the most efficient measures for reducing nutrient inputs or to optimise the use of limited resources in the entire Danube Basin and in individual countries.

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Schilling ◽  
H. Behrendt ◽  
A. Blaschke ◽  
S. Danielescu ◽  
G. Dimova ◽  
...  

In the framework of the project daNUbs (Nutrient Management in the Danube Basin and its Impact on the Black Sea) the MONERIS emission model is used for the basin wide calculation of nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) emissions in the Danube Basin. The MONERIS model was developed and successfully applied for German river catchments. Based on investigations in selected test regions (case studies) the daNUbs approach is to check the applicability of the MONERIS emission model for the specific conditions of the Danube Basin in more detail than is possible with a basin wide application. Six case studies with areas of 400–3,500 km2 and several subcatchments have been selected in order to represent different conditions along the Danube Basin. In this study region intensive data collection and enhanced monitoring has been performed in order to raise the database significantly above the generally available data. Water balance as well as nutrient balance calculations have been performed with the MONERIS model as well as with other approaches. Results are compared to each other and to data from monitoring. Results up till now showed the applicability and sensitivity of the MONERIS approach in different conditions of the Danube Basin (e.g. emissions via groundwater). They indicated that the nitrogen retention in the catchments is well described with the MONERIS model.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 2549-2579 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kneis ◽  
R. Knoesche ◽  
A. Bronstert

Abstract. In the context of the European Water Framework Directive options for improving the water quality of the lowland river Havel (Germany) were assessed. The lower section of this river is actually a polytrophic river-lake system suffering from high external nutrient loading and exhibiting significant in-river turnover. In order to gain a better understanding of present conditions and to allow integrated scenarios of nutrient management to be evaluated the catchment models SWIM and ArcEGMO-Urban were coupled with a simple, newly developed nutrient TRAnsport Model (TraM). Using the TraM model, the retention of nitrogen and phosphorus in a 55 km reach of the Lower Havel River was quantified and its temporal variation was analyzed. It was examined that about 30% of the external nitrogen input to the Lower Havel is retained within the surveyed river section. A comparison of simulation results generated with and without consideration of phosphorus retention/release revealed that summer TP concentrations are currently increased by 100–200% due to internal loading. Net phosphorus release rates of about 20 mg P m−2 d-1 in late summer were estimated for the Havel lakes. Scenario simulations with lowered external nutrient inputs revealed that persistent phosphorus limitation of primary production cannot be established within the next decade. It was shown that a further reduction in nitrogen concentrations requires emissions to be reduced in all inflows. Though the TraM model needs further extension it proved to be appropriate for conducting integrated catchment and river modeling.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynette K. Abbott ◽  
David A. C. Manning

<p>Soil health is dependent upon complex bio-physical and bio-chemical processes which interact in space and time. Microrganisms and fauna in soil comprise highly diverse and dynamic communities that contribute, over either short or long time frames, to the transformation of geological minerals and release of essential nutrients for plant growth. Certified organic soil management practices generally restrict the use of chemically-processed highly soluble plant nutrients, leading to dependence on nutrient sources that require microbial transformation of poorly soluble geological minerals. Consequently, slow release of nutrients controls their rate of uptake by plants and associated plant physiological processes. Microbial and faunal interactions influence soil structure at various scales, within and between crystalline mineral grains, creating complex soil pore networks that further influence soil function, including the nutrient release and uptake by roots. The incorporation of organic matter into soil, as either manure or compost in organic farming systems is controlled to avoid excessive release of soluble nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, while simultaneously contributing an essential source of carbon for growth and activity of soil organisms. The interdependence of many soil physical and chemical processes contributing to soil health is strongly linked to activities of the organisms living in soil as well as to root structure and function. Capitalizing on these contributions to soil health cannot be achieved without holistic, multiscale approaches to nutrient management, an understanding of interactions between carbon pools, mineral complexes and soil mineralogy, and detailed examination of farm nutrient budgets.</p>


1998 ◽  
Vol 173 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erkki T. Isometsä ◽  
Jouko K. Lönnqvist

BackgroundThis study investigated three questions with major implications for suicide prevention: the sensitivity of the history of previous suicide attempt(s) as an indicator of suicide risk, the time interval from a preceding suicide attempt to the fatal one, and switching of suicide methods by those eventually completing suicide.MethodThe lifetime history of suicide attempts and the methods the victims (n=1397) used were examined in a nationwide psychological autopsy study comprising all suicides in Finland within a 12-month research period in 1987–1988.ResultsOverall, 56% of suicide victims were found to have died at their first suicide attempt, more males (62%) than females (38%). In 19% of males and 39% of females the victim had made a non-fatal attempt during the final year. Of the victims with previous attempts, 82% had used at least two different methods in their suicide attempts (the fatal included).ConclusionsMost male and a substantial proportion of female suicides die in their first suicide attempt, a fact that necessitates early recognition of suicide risk, particularly among males. Recognition of periods of high suicide risk on the grounds of recent non-fatal suicide attempts is likely to be important for suicide prevention among females. Subjects completing suicide commonly switch from one suicide method to another, a finding that weakens but does not negate the credibility of restrictions on the availability of lethal methods as a preventive measure.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2164
Author(s):  
Katie Mattern ◽  
Alyssa Lutgen ◽  
Nathan Sienkiewicz ◽  
Grant Jiang ◽  
Jinjun Kan ◽  
...  

While stream restorations are increasingly being adopted to mitigate sediment and nutrient inputs and to meet water quality regulatory targets, less information is available on the drivers behind the design, implementation, effectiveness, and cost of restorations. We address these issues for a $4.2 million stream restoration for legacy sediments implemented for a rural Piedmont stream in Maryland, USA. A total of 1668 m of stream was restored in three phases, which included the partial removal of legacy sediments, the grading of streambanks, floodplain creation, channel reshaping with meanders and pool-riffle forms, the raising of the stream bed, and the planting of riparian vegetation. The sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations and fluxes were monitored before- and during the restoration phases. The sites selected for restoration had legacy sediments vulnerable to erosion and were on state-owned land. The restoration design was based on the need to maintain mature riparian trees and preserve existing sensitive wetland habitats. Water quality monitoring indicated that the sediment and nutrient fluxes increased during the restoration phase and were attributed to disturbance associated with construction activities and increased runoff. We also recommend that soil health needs to be included as an integral component to enhance the effectiveness and resilience of stream restorations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Paetsch ◽  
Helmuth Thomas

&lt;p&gt;Since the early eighties of the 20&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; century nitrogen and phosphorus loads of the River Elbe, a river entering the North European Shelf at the southeastern coast, have decreased by a factor of about four. This resulted in a reduction of the eutrophication status in the adjacent German Bight and the coastal waters west of Denmark. In addition, benthic carbon and alkalinity pools have changed due to 1- changed carbon loads and, 2- changed decay pathways of benthic organic carbon.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We investigate the consequences of observed nutrient and organic loads by rivers with a 3D-biogeochemical model including a 3D-early diageneses model within the sediment for the time 1979 - 2014. &amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The results show a strong decrease of benthic carbon rather due to decreasing nutrient loads and subsequent autochthonous biological production than changes in organic loads. The export of inorganic carbon from the sediment is related to the magnitude of benthic organic carbon and cannot explain the strong decrease of the benthic POC pool.&amp;#160;During the time until the early nineties aerobic degradation increases, whereas denitrification and sulfate reduction as organic matter degradation pathway decreases.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alkalinity production due to benthic organic matter degradation decreases over the first half of the investigated time interval and keeps constant during the second half. Denitrification and sulfate reduction dominate the mechanisms decreasing the alkalinity export. Benthic nitrification consuming alkalinity strongly increases during the first half of the time dampening the decrease of alkalinity export.&lt;/p&gt;


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S346-S347
Author(s):  
Catalina Howland ◽  
Arthur Chang ◽  
Stephen Selvanayagam ◽  
Stacy Kim ◽  
Mark Bounthavong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening, systemic complication of infection. Rapid intervention is critical to reduce morbidity and mortality; however, early recognition of sepsis is challenging due to a highly variable and nonspecific presentation. Recognition is particularly problematic in ambulatory (walk-in) patients who receive minimal to no medical attention prior to ED presentation. There is limited literature addressing sepsis intervention among the ambulatory population in the ED. Our organization has employed an electronic, nurse-driven sepsis screening tool into the triage process for all ambulatory patients who present to the ED. Methods This was a retrospective, quasi-experimental study conducted from November 2015 to May 2018 in three consecutive timeframes: pre-implementation (12 months), implementation (7 months), and post-implementation (12 months). Adult ambulatory ED patients were included if they had a coded diagnosis of sepsis, septic shock, or an infectious syndrome, had fever or hypothermia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome signs on presentation. The primary outcome measure was hourly time interval to antibiotic administration from time of ED registration. Results A total of 902 patients were included with 286, 208, and 408 patients in the pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation cohorts, respectively. Baseline characteristics including comorbid conditions and infection source were similar between cohorts. The primary outcome of hourly time interval to antibiotic administration was significantly different (P = 0.044) between the three cohorts with the most substantial increase in administration specifically in the less than 1-hour interval. Between the pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation cohorts, significant decreases were observed in mean time to fluids (3.6, 3.0, and 2.5 hours, respectively, P = 0.003) and average length of stay (5.5, 5.8, and 4.2 days, respectively, P < 0.001) and a significant increase was observed in ED sepsis alert activations (26%, 48%, 51%, respectively, P < 0.001). Conclusion A nurse-driven electronic time-of-triage sepsis screening tool improved timely recognition and intervention in ambulatory ED patients with suspected sepsis. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (16) ◽  
pp. 4177-4182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Hobbie ◽  
Jacques C. Finlay ◽  
Benjamin D. Janke ◽  
Daniel A. Nidzgorski ◽  
Dylan B. Millet ◽  
...  

Managing excess nutrients remains a major obstacle to improving ecosystem service benefits of urban waters. To inform more ecologically based landscape nutrient management, we compared watershed inputs, outputs, and retention for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in seven subwatersheds of the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lawn fertilizer and pet waste dominated N and P inputs, respectively, underscoring the importance of household actions in influencing urban watershed nutrient budgets. Watersheds retained only 22% of net P inputs versus 80% of net N inputs (watershed area-weighted averages, where net inputs equal inputs minus biomass removal) despite relatively low P inputs. In contrast to many nonurban watersheds that exhibit high P retention, these urban watersheds have high street density that enhanced transport of P-rich materials from landscapes to stormwater. High P exports in storm drainage networks and yard waste resulted in net P losses in some watersheds. Comparisons of the N/P stoichiometry of net inputs versus storm drain exports implicated denitrification or leaching to groundwater as a likely fate for retained N. Thus, these urban watersheds exported high quantities of N and P, but via contrasting pathways: P was exported primarily via stormwater runoff, contributing to surface water degradation, whereas N losses additionally contribute to groundwater pollution. Consequently, N management and P management require different strategies, with N management focusing on reducing watershed inputs and P management also focusing on reducing P movement from vegetated landscapes to streets and storm drains.


2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon E. Brodie ◽  
Alan W. Mitchell

In tropical Australia, intensive studies of river suspended sediment (SS) and nutrient dynamics have been restricted to streams on the north-east coast between the Fitzroy and Normanby Rivers (Queensland), Magela Creek/East Alligator River (Northern Territory) and the Ord River (Western Australia). Historical conditions in these rivers were probably characterised by low–moderate SS concentrations and low concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in flow events. Introduction of agriculture has transformed SS and nutrient dynamics. Grazing has led to soil erosion and increased SS and particulate nutrient concentrations and fluxes in event flows. Fertilised cropping has increased nutrient inputs to catchments, where it forms a substantial proportion of the catchment area. Consequently, both particulate and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations and fluxes have increased. Australian tropical rivers have episodic flows, with most material transport occurring during large flow events. The restricted period of these highly energetic flows means little trapping of materials in waterways occurs. Loads are transported efficiently downstream and processes such as denitrification and in-channel sedimentation may be of limited importance. Owing to excessive nutrient inputs associated with agriculture, a number of northern freshwater, estuarine and coastal ecosystems are now eutrophic. Continued development, especially fertilised cropping, without adequate management of nutrient losses is likely to exacerbate these problems.


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