Integration of MONERIS and GREAT-ER in the decision support system for the German Elbe river basin

Abstract

The Elbe-DSS is a computer based system for integrated river basin management of the German part of River Elbe basin. Simulation models are used to assess the efficiency of measures such as reforestation, changes of agricultural practices or the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants for achieving management targets. MONERIS and GREAT-ER are integrated into the Elbe-DSS to assess nutrient and pollutant loads. MONERIS calculates nutrient inputs from diffuse and point sources on a sub-catchment scale of about 1000 km(2). GREAT-ER is a tool for exposure assessment of point source emissions and considers fate in sewage treatment plants as well as degradation and transport in rivers. Both models make long-term predictions, but their spatial scales of operations differ. GREAT-ER divides the whole river network into small segments that are linked through a routing algorithm. The segments are coupled to MONERIS using accumulated flow length distribution. Linking the two models allows to distribute diffuse nutrient emissions calculated from MONERIS and point source emissions from GREAT-ER to the river network, where further elimination and transport processes are calculated. We exemplify the DSS in a study assessing the effects of different reforestation and erosion control measures on phosphate loads and concentrations in the river network. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.