<p>The euthropthication of the Baltic Sea is a threat that is beginning to be taken seriously by the governments concerned. In Sweden, regulations concerning the allowed nitrogen (N) concentration in the effluent water from wastewater treatment plants are being tightened up. The Rimbo wastewater treatment plant has been imposed to reduce the annual mean concentration of total N in the effluent water to levels below 15 mg l-1. A more and more common way to reduce the nitrogen level in wastewater is to let the water pass through a wetland. This study investigates the possibility to build this kind of wetland at the outlet of the Rimbo wastewater treatment plant.</p><p>A prestudy of the topography, soil characteristics and groundwater flow indicates that the land area in question is well suited for the construction of a wetland. A proposal for the design has been made by using a physically based computer model developed in the PRIMROSE project (PRocess based Integrated Management of constructed and Riverine wetlands for Optimal control of wastewater at catchment ScalE), which is financed by the EU. Analysis of the residence time distribution (RTD) is a tool for understanding wetland design characteristics and can be used for wetland engineering such as optimizing design for best possibleefficiency in nitrogen removal. In order to characterize the performance of a wetland, it is useful to translate the RTD to a key figure representing the treatment efficiency. In this work, two types of such key figures have been used. Key figure 1 gives the hydraulic efficiency and Key figure 2 gives an estimation of the nitrogen retention by an integration of hydraulic characteristics and the chemical transformation of nitrogen.</p><p>The results of this study show that constructing a wetland in Rimbo probably would be an efficient way to reduce the nitrogen level at the effluent of the wastewater plant below the limits of the regulations. In addition, a wetland would form a nice place of recreation for the people in Rimbo and also make a good habitat for birds.</p> / <p>Övergödningen i Östersjön är ett problem som uppmärksammas alltmer. Ett led i att minska kvävebelastningen på Östersjön är ökade krav på rening i de svenska kommunala reningsverken. Rimbo avloppsreningsanläggning har blivit ålagd ett riktvärde för totalkväve på 15 mg l-1 i utgående vatten, vilket motsvarar en reningsgrad som inte uppnås idag. Ett alltmer vanligt sätt att minska föroreningshalterna är att anlägga våtmarker i anslutning till reningsverken för att efterpolera spillvattnet. Det här arbetet är en del av en förstudie till en sådan våtmark i Rimbo.</p><p>En förundersökning av topografi, jordart och grundvattenflöden indikerar att det område som föreslagits i anslutning till reningsverket i Rimbo lämpar sig väl för ett våtmarksbygge. Förslag till utformning har tagits fram med hjälp av en fysikaliskt baserad modell över vattenströmning, utvecklad inom det EU-finansierade projektet PRIMROSE (PRocess based Integrated Management of constructed and Riverine wetlands for Optimal control of wastewater at catchment ScalE). Analys av vattnets uppehållstidsfördelning ger förståelse för våtmarkens egenskaper och kan därför användas vid t ex optimering av våtmarksdesign med avseende på kväverening. För att på ett enkelt sätt kunna jämföra olika våtmarkers effektivitet är det praktiskt att översätta uppehållstidsfördelningen till ett nyckeltal för reningseffekten. I det här arbetet har två olika sådana nyckeltal beräknats. Det första ger den hydrauliska effektiviteten och det andra bygger på en metod där våtmarkens interna hydraulik integreras med den kemiska omvandlingen av kväve. Nyckeltal 1 ger ett mått på hur stor del av volymen i våtmarken som används för kväverening, medan Nyckeltal 2 ger ett mått på den procentuella kväveavskiljningen.</p><p>Den här förstudien visar att en våtmark sannolikt skulle vara ett utmärkt sätt att klara riktvärdet för kvävehalten vid reningsverket i Rimbo. Därutöver skulle en våtmark kunna utgöra ett positivt inslag i landskapet och öka den biologiska mångfalden, inte minst vad gäller fågelliv.</p>

No description available.

<p>Ecohydrological models are extensively used to evaluate land use, land management and climate change impacts on hydrology and in-stream water quality conditions. The scale at which these models operate influences the complexity of processes incorporated within the models. For instance, a large scale hydrological model such as Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) that runs on a daily scale may ignore the sub-daily scale in-stream processes. The key processes affecting in-stream solute transport such as advection, dispersion and transient storage (dead zone) exchange can have considerable effect on the predicted stream solute concentrations, especially for localized studies. To represent realistic field conditions, it is therefore required to modify the in-stream water quality algorithms of SWAT by including these additional processes. Existing reach-scale solute transport models like OTIS (One-dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage) considers these processes but excludes the actual biochemical reactions occurring in the stream and models nutrient uptake using an empirical first-order decay equation. Alternatively, comprehensive stream water quality models like QUAL2E (The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model) incorporates actual biochemical reactions but neglects the transient storage exchange component which is crucial is predicting the peak and timing of solute concentrations. In this study, these two popular models (OTIS and QUAL2E) are merged to integrate all essential solute transport processes into a single in-stream water quality model known as ‘Enhanced OTIS model’. A generalized model with an improved graphical user interface was developed on MATLAB platform that performed reasonably well for both experimental data and previously published data (R²=0.76). To incorporate this model into large-scale hydrological models, it was necessary to find an alternative to estimate transient storage parameters, which are otherwise derived through calibration using experimental tracer tests. Through a meta-analysis approach, simple regression models were therefore developed for dispersion coefficient (D), storage zone area (A_s) and storage exchange coefficient (α) by relating them to easily obtainable hydraulic characteristics such as discharge, velocity, flow width and flow depth. For experimental data from two study sites, breakthrough curves and storage potential of conservative tracers were predicted with good accuracy (R²>0.5) by using the new regression equations. These equations were hence recommended as a tool for obtaining preliminary and approximate estimates of D, A_s and α when reach-specific calibration is unfeasible. </p> <p> </p> <p>The existing water quality module in SWAT was replaced with the newly developed ‘Enhanced OTIS model’ along with the regression equations for storage parameters. Water quality predictions using the modified SWAT model (Mir-SWAT) for a study catchment in Germany showed that the improvements in process representation yields better results for dissolved oxygen (DO), phosphate and Chlorophyll-a. While the existing model simulated extreme low values of DO, Mir-SWAT improved these values with a 0.11 increase in R² value between modeled and measured values. No major improvement was observed for nitrate loads but modeled phosphate peak loads were reduced to be much closer to measured values with Mir-SWAT model. A qualitative analysis on Chl-<i>a</i> concentrations also indicated that average and maximum monthly Chl-<i>a</i> values were better predicted with Mir-SWAT when compared to SWAT model, especially for winter months. The newly developed in-stream water quality model is expected to act as a stand alone model or coupled with larger models to improve the representation of solute transport processes and nutrient uptake in these models. The improvements made to SWAT model will increase the model confidence and widen its extent of applicability to short-term and localized studies that require understanding of fine-scale solute transport dynamics. </p>

[pt] Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um sistema integrado de modelagem, tridimensional, de fluxo e transporte em meios porosos e fraturados. O sistema é composto de seis programas computacionais, que são responsáveis pela geração de superfícies geológicas (Gocad), geração de sistemas de fraturas (FracGen3D), modelagem geométrica (MG), análise numérica de fluxo e transporte (soluto e partículas) (FTPF-3D) e visualização dos resultados (Pos3D e Matlab). Dos programas, dois foram desenvolvidos neste trabalho (FracGen3D e o FTPF-3D) e quatro foram integrados ao sistema (Gocad, MG, Pos3D e Matlab). O sistema é capaz de modelar os meios porosos, fraturados, porosos fraturados (meio poroso e fraturado interposto) e uma combinação entre os meios. Nos meios fraturados ou porosos fraturados, as fraturas geradas podem ser do tipo determinísticas e/ou estatísticas. As características das fraturas estatísticas podem ser geradas segundo distribuições probabilísticas ou com valores constantes. O programa de análise numérica utiliza o Método dos Elementos Finitos para resolver as equações governantes, considerando os regimes permanente e transiente, em condições saturadas e não saturadas. Para a solução da não linearidade da equação de fluxo, é adotado o método de Picard ou o método BFGS. No transporte de solutos, os mecanismos de advecção, dispersão, difusão, sorção e decaimento podem ser considerados. O trabalho apresenta exemplos numéricos utilizados na validação das implementações computacionais realizadas, e apresenta também, outros exemplos utilizados para demonstrar o sistema desenvolvido. / [en] This work presents the development of an integrated system for the threedimensional modelling of flow and transport in porous and fractured media. The system is composed of six computational programs, which are responsible for the generation of geologic surface (Gocad), generation of fracture network (FracGen3D), geometric modelling (MG), numerical analysis of flow and transport (solute and particles) (FTPF-3D) and results visualization (Pos3D and Matlab). Of the programs, two had been developed in this work (FracGen3D and the FTPF-3D) and four had been integrated to the system (Gocad, MG, Pos3D and Matlab). The system is able to model the porous, fractured, fractured porous media (porous and fractured medias interposed) and a combination between the media. In the fractured or fractured porous media, the fractures generated can be of the type deterministic and/or statistical. The characteristics of the statistical fractures can be generated according to probabilistic distributions or with constant values. The numerical analysis program uses the Finite Element Method to solve the governance equations, considering steady-state and transient flow, in saturated and unsaturated conditions. For the solution of non linearity of the flow equation, the Picard scheme or the BFGS scheme are adopted. In the solute transport, the advection, dispersion, diffusion, sorption and decay mechanisms can be considered. This work also presents numerical examples used in the validation of the carried through computational implementations and other examples used to demonstrate the system that has been developed.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:25:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alice Leal Terres Oro.pdf: 734105 bytes, checksum: 00f0a2e6f0c0139384a1298b29fdcc57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-07-20 / Measurements of solute concentrations at soils are essential to optimize irrigation and fertilizer application, to study surface runoff and erosion and to evaluate soil salinity. For this purpose, Time Domain Reflectometry is a dielectric technique that has been shown to give accurate water content and electrical conductivity values. Used under both laboratory and field conditions, this a non-destructive essay takes simultaneous measurements of electrical conductivity and soil water content, using a single probe and testing only one sample region. Although there are many ways in which electrical conductivity may be obtained with Time Domain Reflectometry equipment, few of them are characterized by simplicity and straight forwardness. Because of that, this study aimed to evaluate different methods to determine electrical conductivity at solutions and soils. A sequence of laboratory experiments was conducted in deformed soil samples of an Oxisol from West Parana State, arranged in columns 0,30 m height, with an internal diameter of 0,19 m. The three wire probes, with manual assembling and without impedance-matching transformer, were vertically installed in soil columns, considering as a control one the column which soil received only distilled water. The others treatments were defined according to the sodium chloride content: 0,01; 0,03; 0,05; 0,07; 0,09; 0,10 and 0,15 N. The electrical conductivity was determined using waveforms collected with specific software and there wasn t signal attenuation. It was found a linear relationship between the bulk electrical conductivity and the pore water electrical conductivity under constant water content. It was concluded that soils with significant iron contents display an atypical dielectric behavior that limits the applicability of the equipment for measuring not only soil moisture but bulk electrical conductivity also. / Medidas de concentrações de solutos em solos são essenciais para otimizar a irrigação e aplicações de fertilizantes, para estudar escoamento superficial e erosão e para avaliar a salinidade do solo. Para tal fim, a Reflectometria no Domínio do Tempo é uma técnica dielétrica que tem sido capaz de fornecer valores precisos, tanto para teores de água como para condutividade elétrica do solo. Empregada tanto em condições de laboratório como em condições de campo, esta técnica não-destrutiva realiza medidas simultâneas das duas grandezas, empregando uma única sonda e testando a mesma região da amostra. Embora existam várias técnicas através das quais a condutividade elétrica pode ser determinada com um equipamento de Reflectometria no Domínio do Tempo, poucas técnicas são caracterizadas pela simplicidade e pela rapidez. Devido a isso, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar diferentes métodos para a determinação da condutividade elétrica de soluções e de solos. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em condições de laboratório, usando amostras deformadas de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico da Região Oeste do Paraná, acondicionadas em colunas com comprimento de 0,30 m e diâmetro de 0,19 m. As sondas com 3 hastes, montadas de forma artesanal e sem qualquer equalização de impedâncias, foram instaladas verticalmente nas colunas de solo, sendo considerada como controle a coluna cujo solo recebeu água destilada. Os outros tratamentos foram definidos conforme os teores de cloreto de sódio adicionado: 0,01; 0,03; 0,05; 0,07; 0,09; 0,10 e 0,15 N. A condutividade elétrica foi determinada a partir das formas de onda coletadas com um programa específico e não ocorreu atenuação de sinal. Encontrou-se uma relação linear entre as medidas de condutividade elétrica total do solo e a condutividade elétrica da solução do solo, sob umidade constante. Também se concluiu que solos com alto teor de Fe exibem um comportamento dielétrico atípico, o qual limita a aplicabilidade da técnica.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:48:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alice Leal Terres Oro.pdf: 734105 bytes, checksum: 00f0a2e6f0c0139384a1298b29fdcc57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-07-20 / Measurements of solute concentrations at soils are essential to optimize irrigation and fertilizer application, to study surface runoff and erosion and to evaluate soil salinity. For this purpose, Time Domain Reflectometry is a dielectric technique that has been shown to give accurate water content and electrical conductivity values. Used under both laboratory and field conditions, this a non-destructive essay takes simultaneous measurements of electrical conductivity and soil water content, using a single probe and testing only one sample region. Although there are many ways in which electrical conductivity may be obtained with Time Domain Reflectometry equipment, few of them are characterized by simplicity and straight forwardness. Because of that, this study aimed to evaluate different methods to determine electrical conductivity at solutions and soils. A sequence of laboratory experiments was conducted in deformed soil samples of an Oxisol from West Parana State, arranged in columns 0,30 m height, with an internal diameter of 0,19 m. The three wire probes, with manual assembling and without impedance-matching transformer, were vertically installed in soil columns, considering as a control one the column which soil received only distilled water. The others treatments were defined according to the sodium chloride content: 0,01; 0,03; 0,05; 0,07; 0,09; 0,10 and 0,15 N. The electrical conductivity was determined using waveforms collected with specific software and there wasn t signal attenuation. It was found a linear relationship between the bulk electrical conductivity and the pore water electrical conductivity under constant water content. It was concluded that soils with significant iron contents display an atypical dielectric behavior that limits the applicability of the equipment for measuring not only soil moisture but bulk electrical conductivity also. / Medidas de concentrações de solutos em solos são essenciais para otimizar a irrigação e aplicações de fertilizantes, para estudar escoamento superficial e erosão e para avaliar a salinidade do solo. Para tal fim, a Reflectometria no Domínio do Tempo é uma técnica dielétrica que tem sido capaz de fornecer valores precisos, tanto para teores de água como para condutividade elétrica do solo. Empregada tanto em condições de laboratório como em condições de campo, esta técnica não-destrutiva realiza medidas simultâneas das duas grandezas, empregando uma única sonda e testando a mesma região da amostra. Embora existam várias técnicas através das quais a condutividade elétrica pode ser determinada com um equipamento de Reflectometria no Domínio do Tempo, poucas técnicas são caracterizadas pela simplicidade e pela rapidez. Devido a isso, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar diferentes métodos para a determinação da condutividade elétrica de soluções e de solos. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em condições de laboratório, usando amostras deformadas de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico da Região Oeste do Paraná, acondicionadas em colunas com comprimento de 0,30 m e diâmetro de 0,19 m. As sondas com 3 hastes, montadas de forma artesanal e sem qualquer equalização de impedâncias, foram instaladas verticalmente nas colunas de solo, sendo considerada como controle a coluna cujo solo recebeu água destilada. Os outros tratamentos foram definidos conforme os teores de cloreto de sódio adicionado: 0,01; 0,03; 0,05; 0,07; 0,09; 0,10 e 0,15 N. A condutividade elétrica foi determinada a partir das formas de onda coletadas com um programa específico e não ocorreu atenuação de sinal. Encontrou-se uma relação linear entre as medidas de condutividade elétrica total do solo e a condutividade elétrica da solução do solo, sob umidade constante. Também se concluiu que solos com alto teor de Fe exibem um comportamento dielétrico atípico, o qual limita a aplicabilidade da técnica.

[pt] Neste trabalho se analisam as características de colapso de um solo laterítico submetido à percolação de um licor cáustico a diferentes concentrações. O solo é uma areia quartzosa com uma pequena fração de finos cauliníticos. O licor é um efluente industrial, resultante da produção de alumínio, a base de soda cáustica. Mediante o presente estudo, determinou-se o efeito da infiltração do licor cáustico sobre três aspetos: colapsividade, transporte de solutos e características de sucção. Isto foi feito através de um programa experimental que incluiu ensaios de caracterização física-química do solo e do licor, ensaios edométricos, em edômetros especiais, para avaliar as características de colapso e de transporte de solutos, e ensaios de sucção pelo método do papel filtro. Os resultados do programa experimental mostraram que o solo é colapsível em presença de água, sendo sua colapsividade aumentada em presença do licor cáustico. Também indicaram que os parâmetros de transporte e sucção são fortemente afetados pela percolação do licor. A mudança destes parâmetros é função da concentração do licor. / [en] In this work, characteristics of collapse of a laterítico soil submitted to percolation of a caustic liqueur to different concentrations are analysed. The soil comprises a quartzitic sand with a small fraction of kaolinitic clay. The liqueur is a caustic fluid, from an aluminium industry. In the present study, effects of the caustic liqueur infiltration were observed considering three aspects: collapse, solute transport and soil suction characteristics. This was done through an experimental program that included physical and chemical characterization of the soil and liqueur, special oedometer tests to evaluate simultaneously collapse characteristics and solute transport, and suction tests using the filter paper method. The results of the experimental program showed that the soil suffers volume change in presence of water, and its colapsivity is increased in presence of the caustic liqueur. They also indicated that the transport and suction parameters are affected strongly by the percolation of the liqueur.

<p>One of many applications of geohydraulic modelling is assessing the suitability of a site to host a nuclear waste repository. This modelling task is complicated by scale-dependent heterogeneity and coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes. The objective here was to develop methods for (i) upscaling flow and transport in fractured media from detailed-scale data and (ii) accounting for THM-induced effects on regional-scale transport. An example field data set was used for demonstration.</p><p>A systematic framework was developed where equivalent properties of flow, transport, and stress-effects were estimated with discrete fracture network (DFN) modelling, at some block scale, and then transferred to a regional-scale stochastic continuum (SC) model. The selected block scale allowed a continuum approximation of flow, but not of transport. Instead, block-scale transport was quantified by transit time distributions and modelled with a particle random walk method at the regional scale.</p><p>An enhanced SC-upscaling approach was developed to reproduce the DFN flow results more simply. This required: (i) weighting of the input well-test data by their conductivity-dependent test volumes and (ii) conductivity-dependent correlation structure. Interestingly, the best-fitting correlation structure resembled the density function of DFN transmissivities. </p><p>Channelized transport, over distances exceeding the block scale, was modelled with a transport persistence length. A linear relationship was found between this persistence length and the macroscale dispersion coefficient, with a slope equal to a representative mean block-scale dispersion coefficient.</p><p>A method was also developed to combine well-test data and rock-mechanical data in estimating fracture transmissivities, and its application was demonstrated.</p><p>Finally, an overall sequential THM analysis was introduced allowing the estimation of the significance of waste-related thermo-mechanical (TM) effects on regional transport; here TM effects are calculated separately and their impact on fracture transmissivities were incorporated into the hybrid framework. For the particular case, their effects on regional-scale transport were small.</p>

Durch die Stilllegung der Kali-Gewinnung und -Produktion zwischen 1990 und 1993 sowie die begonnene Rekultivierung der Kali-Rückstandshalden haben sich die Salzfrachteintragsbedingungen für die Fließgwewässer im "Südharz-Kalirevier" in Thüringen zum Teil deutlich verändert. Aufgrund erheblich geringerer Salzeinträge in die Vorfluter Wipper und Bode ist es möglich geworden, zu einer ökologisch verträglichen Salzfrachtsteuerung überzugehen. Die Komplexität der zugrunde liegenden Stofftransportprozesse im Einzugsgebiet der Wipper macht es jedoch unumgänglich, den Steuerungsvorgang nicht nur durch reine Bilanzierungsvorgänge auf der betrachteten Steuerstrecke zu erfassen (so wie bisher praktiziert), sondern auch die Abflussdynamik im Fließgewässer und den Wasserhaushalt im Gebiet mit einzubeziehen. <br><br> Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit dienen zum einen einer Vertiefung der Prozessverständnisse und der Interaktion von Wasserhaushalt, Abflussbildung sowie Stofftransport in bergbaubeeinflussten Einzugsgebieten am Beispiel der Unstrut bzw. ihrer relevanten Nebenflüsse. Zum anderen sollen sie zur Analyse und Bewertung eines Bewirtschaftungsplanes für die genannten Fließgewässer herangezogen werden können. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Erstellung eines prognosetauglichen Steuerungsinstrumentes, das für die Bewirtschaftung von Flusseinzugsgebieten unterschiedlicher Größe genutzt und unter den Rahmenbedingungen der bergbaubedingten salinaren Einträge effektiv zur Steuerung der anthropogenen Frachten eingesetzt werden kann. <br><br> Die Quellen der anthropogen eingeleiteten Salzfracht sind vor allem die Rückstandshalden der stillgelegten Kaliwerke. Durch Niederschläge entstehen salzhaltige Haldenabwässer, die zum Teil ungesteuert über oberflächennahe Ausbreitungsvorgänge direkt in die Vorfluter gelangen, ein anderer Teil wird über die Speichereinrichtungen gefasst und gezielt abgestoßen. Durch Undichtigkeiten des Laugenstapelbeckens in Wipperdorf gelangen ebenfalls ungesteuerte Frachteinträge in die Wipper. Ein weiterer Eintragspfad ist zudem die geogene Belastung. <br><br> Mit Hilfe detaillierter Angaben zu den oben genannten Eintragspfaden konnten Modellrechnungen im Zeitraum von 1992 bis 2003 durchgeführt werden. Durch die Ausarbeitung eines neuartigen Steuerungskonzeptes für das Laugenstapelbecken Wipperdorf, war es nun möglich, die gefasste Haldenlauge entsprechend der aktuellen Abflusssituation gezielt abstoßen zu können. Neben der modelltechnischen Erfassung der aktuellen hydrologischen Situation und der Vorgabe eines Chlorid-Konzentrationssteuerzieles für den Pegel Hachelbich, mussten dabei weitere Randbedingungen (Beckenkapazität, Beckenfüllstand, Mindestfüllstand, Kapazität des Ableitungskanals, usw.) berücksichtigt werden. <br><br> Es zeigte sich, dass unter Anwendung des Steuerungskonzeptes die Schwankungsbreite der Chloridkonzentration insgesamt gesehen deutlich verringert werden konnte. Die Überschreitungshäufigkeiten bezüglich eines Grenzwertes von 2 g Chlorid/l am Pegel Hachelbich fielen deutlich, und auch die maximale Dauer einer solchen Periode konnte stark verkürzt werden. Kritische Situationen bei der modelltechnischen Frachtzusteuerung traten nur dann auf, wenn Niedrigwasserverhältnisse durch die Simulationsberechnungen noch unterschätzt wurden. Dies hatte deutliche Überschreitungen der Zielvorgaben für den Pegel Hachelbich zur Folge. <br><br> Mit Hilfe des Steuerungsalgorithmus konnten desweiteren auch Szenarienberechnungen durchgeführt werden, um die Auswirkungen zukünftig zu erwartender Salzfrachten näher spezifizieren zu können. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, dass Abdichtungsmaßnahmen der Haldenkörper sich direkt positiv auf die Entwicklung der Konzentration in Hachelbich auswirkten. Durch zusätzlich durchgeführte Langzeitszenarien konnte darüber hinaus nachgewiesen werden, dass langfristig eine Grenzwertfestlegung auf 1,5 g Chlorid/l in Hachelbich möglich ist, und die Stapelkapazitäten dazu ausreichend bemessen sind. / As a consequence of general closure and conversion of potash-industries between the years 1990 and 1993 and due to the beginning of recultivation activities on the potash stockpiles the load of dissolved potassium salt of rivers in the "Südharz-Kalirevier" in the German federal state of Thuringia has considerably changed. The extremely decreased salt inputs into the tributaries of Wipper and Bode were accompanied by a change in salt load management towards a system controlled with respect to river ecology. Due to the high complexity of salt transport processes in the Wipper catchment, the existing operation rules cannot comply with the present requirements, so that a comprehensive knowledge of water balance processes and river flow dynamics have to be included in management strategies. <br><br> On the one hand this investigation aims to analyse the processes and the interaction of water balance, runoff generation and solute transport in catchment areas influenced by salt mining activities such as the case in the river Unstrut and its relevant tributaries. On the other hand the results of this study can help to analyse and assess sustainable management plans for the above mentioned river basins. Thus the main objective of this study is to develop an integrated, predictive management tool, that can be applied for catchment areas of different spatial scales and for the effective use of controlled discharge of anthropogenic salt solution taking into account the basic input conditions from salt mining activities. <br><br> The most important sources of anthropogenic salt inputs into the river stream are the salt loads from the potash stockpiles near the disused mines. Due to usual precipitation salt solution leaches from the stockpiles, which partly reaches the river streams uncontrolled by lateral interflow processes. Another part is being gathered in reservoirs and than discharged according to special system operation rules. As well dissolved salt loads comes into the Wipper by leakage processes out of the reservoir in Wipperdorf. Furthermore geogenic input is another important emission pathway. <br><br> With detailed information about these different emission pathways, model simulations were performed within the period from 1992 to 2003. After the technical implementation of a new management strategy for the reservoir in Wipperdorf, now it was possible to push off the stored lye according to the actual runoff situation in the river stream. Beside a fully modell aided description of the whole actual hydrological situtation and provided control values for chloride concentration at the gauging station in Hachelbich, also other boundary conditions had to be considered for this purpose (such as reservoir capacity, actual fill level, minimum fill level, drain capacity etc.). <br><br> It turned out, that the application of the new management strategy led to a clear decreased range in chloride concentration. Frequencies of exceeding a critical value of 2 g chloride/l at gauging station in Hachelbich enormously declined and the maximum duration of such periods could rigorously be shortened. Particluar critical situations in calculating potential lye discharge only occured when measured flow discharge was underestimated through model simulations. In this case control values for the gauging station in Hachelbich could not be achieved. <br><br> With this new management tool scenario simulations were executed to analyse the effects of expected amounts of lye in future. These theoretical studies showed the decreasing trend in chloride concentration if restorations measures at the stockpiles would be continued. Longterm scenario runs also showed, that a threshold value of 1,5 g chloride/l in Hachelbich could be achieved and existing storage capacities therefor will be sufficiently dimensioned.

One of many applications of geohydraulic modelling is assessing the suitability of a site to host a nuclear waste repository. This modelling task is complicated by scale-dependent heterogeneity and coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes. The objective here was to develop methods for (i) upscaling flow and transport in fractured media from detailed-scale data and (ii) accounting for THM-induced effects on regional-scale transport. An example field data set was used for demonstration. A systematic framework was developed where equivalent properties of flow, transport, and stress-effects were estimated with discrete fracture network (DFN) modelling, at some block scale, and then transferred to a regional-scale stochastic continuum (SC) model. The selected block scale allowed a continuum approximation of flow, but not of transport. Instead, block-scale transport was quantified by transit time distributions and modelled with a particle random walk method at the regional scale. An enhanced SC-upscaling approach was developed to reproduce the DFN flow results more simply. This required: (i) weighting of the input well-test data by their conductivity-dependent test volumes and (ii) conductivity-dependent correlation structure. Interestingly, the best-fitting correlation structure resembled the density function of DFN transmissivities. Channelized transport, over distances exceeding the block scale, was modelled with a transport persistence length. A linear relationship was found between this persistence length and the macroscale dispersion coefficient, with a slope equal to a representative mean block-scale dispersion coefficient. A method was also developed to combine well-test data and rock-mechanical data in estimating fracture transmissivities, and its application was demonstrated. Finally, an overall sequential THM analysis was introduced allowing the estimation of the significance of waste-related thermo-mechanical (TM) effects on regional transport; here TM effects are calculated separately and their impact on fracture transmissivities were incorporated into the hybrid framework. For the particular case, their effects on regional-scale transport were small.