Nutrients and heavy metals in the Odra river system

The Central-European transboundary river system of the Odra, draining areas of Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic, accounts for the third largest catchment in the Baltic Sea basin and one of the most important sources of nutrients and heavy metals discharged into this sea. The book presents the methodology as well as the final results of a bi- and trilateral cooperation lasting for more than five years, directed at the model- and GIS-based analysis and quantification of diffuse sources within the Odra river basin. Different modelling approaches, developed to a considerable extent during the project work in parallel to the expanding database, and statistically based projections allowed for estimating the partial loads of phosphorus, nitrogen and the most important heavy metals transported via the relevant pathways towards the rivers. The methodology consistently applied in the three neighbouring countries as well as the results both for the period 1993 – 1997 and for different land use scenarios (up to the year 2020) are suitable to give an example for practicising coordinated transboundary action in implementing the European Water Framework Directive. Likewise, they demonstrate the high methodical level and the fruitful outcomes of a long-term international scientific collaboration.