TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION EXPERIENCES IN TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION EXPERIENCES IN THE VISTULA LAGOON BASIN GAINED DURING THE VISTULA LAGOON BASIN GAINED DURING

MANTRA-EAST RESEARCH PROJECTMANTRA-EAST RESEARCH PROJECT

1) MAŁGORZATA BIELECKA – (gosia_bk@ibwpan.gda.pl)2) ANDRZEJ LEWANDOWSKI – (alewand@sprintnet.pl)3) PIOTR MARGOŃSKI – (pmargon@mir.gdynia.pl)4) PER STÅLNACKE – (per.stalnacke@niva.no)

1) Institute of Hydroengineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk, Poland 2) GEOMOR - Geoscience and Marine Research & Consulting Co. Ltd, Gdansk, Poland3) Sea Fisheries Institute, Gdynia, Poland4) Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Norway

Integrated Strategies for the Management of Transboundary Waters Integrated Strategies for the Management of Transboundary Waters on the Eastern European fringeon the Eastern European fringe

LOCATION OF THE VISTULA LAGOONLOCATION OF THE VISTULA LAGOON

Gulf of GdańskVis tula La goon

Kuroni

a n La

goon

Baltic Sea

•Salinity: 0.1 - 4.5 PSU

•Water volume: 2.3 km3

•Avr. retention time: 6 months

THE VISTULA LAGOON AND ITS DRAINAGE BASINTHE VISTULA LAGOON AND ITS DRAINAGE BASIN

•Area: 838 km2 Russia 56% Poland 44%)

•Length: 90 km

•Width: 10-19 km

•Avr. depth: 2.7 m

•Largest rivers within the drainage area: Pregola, Prokhladnaya, Elbląg, Pasłęka, Nogat, Bauda

•Connection with the Gulf of Gdańsk: narrow, dredged channel near Baltiysk (Russia)

•Total drainage area: 23,871 km2

Water qualityWater qualityEutrophication Eutrophication Sediment qualitySediment quality

SalinizationSalinization

result of nutrient inputs from rivers result of nutrient inputs from rivers and point sources along Vistula and point sources along Vistula LagoonLagoon

1.1. nutrient inputs nutrient inputs

2.2. small depth small depth

3.3. wind driven mixingwind driven mixingHigh turbidityHigh turbidity

water exchange with the Gulf of Gdanskwater exchange with the Gulf of Gdansk

Over fishingOver fishing human factorhuman factor

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

ISSUES WITH WATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTUREISSUES WITH WATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

RWMB

GEOMOR

IMWM

HYDRKA COMRES MI

EI

IBW SFI

POLANDPOLAND RUSSIARUSSIA

Shirshov AtlantNIRO

Different structures in both countriesDifferent structures in both countries – too many institutions – too many institutions involvedinvolved in water management process, restructured often, lack of funds in water management process, restructured often, lack of funds

No common strategyNo common strategy for the Vistula Lagoon water management and protection. Internal plans also not very well developed..

Polish Water Managers will have to face WFDPolish Water Managers will have to face WFD requirements while Russian do not have to.

However they declared a will to follow the WFD..

Numerical models for ecological status assessment installedNumerical models for ecological status assessment installed at water managers institutions – serious problems with specifying at which institution (especially in Kaliningrad)

ISSUES WITH WATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTUREISSUES WITH WATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

Data availability in terms of possible exchangeData availability in terms of possible exchange between both sides and partners – different internal regulations and legislation required special agreements between institutions in order to use data in the project

Data availability in terms of sampling stations location, measured Data availability in terms of sampling stations location, measured parameters, frequency, periods of measurementsparameters, frequency, periods of measurements (no winter measurements) - uncertainties

Data accuracy and comparabilityData accuracy and comparability (different analytical methods; different accuracy; not only between countries but also between laboratories) - uncertainties

Coordinated monitoringCoordinated monitoring – does not exist; spatial distributions in whole Lagoon not available for the same time period (not even day or week)

ISSUES WITH DATA COLLECTIONISSUES WITH DATA COLLECTION

Measurements carried out by different institutionsMeasurements carried out by different institutions (those responsible for state monitoring and scientific institutions):

DifficultDifficult information exchange information exchange between them, however a common data base exists in Kaliningrad

No dissemination of information on different projectsNo dissemination of information on different projects carried out for the Vistula Lagoon and its basin (attempt during Gdansk Workshop)

ISSUES WITH DATA COLLECTIONISSUES WITH DATA COLLECTION

Poland:Poland: Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, Environmental Inspections in Olsztyn and Gdansk, Sea Fisheries Institute, Maritime Institute, others;

Russia:Russia: Kaliningrad Center of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring,Kaliningrad Marine Specialized Inspection, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences,AtlantNIRO

HYDROLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DATA HYDROLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTIONCOLLECTION

Stations of regular monitoring of hydrological and meteorological

parameters performed by IMWM (Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, Poland) and HYDROMET (Kaliningrad

Center of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring).

Krynica Morska Nowa Pasłęka

Frombork Tolkmicko

Nowe Batorowo Osłonka

Water salinity and temperature Meteorological stations

Water level gauges

Baltiysk

Kaliningrad

Krasnoflotskoye

Stations of seasonal monitoring of water salinity (EI – data from

Environmental Inspection in Olsztyn, Poland; IO RAS – data from the

Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences).

1 2

3

4

6

7

8

9 10

1 2 3

4

5 6

7 8 9

10

Stations of seasonal monitoring of water properties

7

8 EI Poland

IO RAS, Russia

:

K a lin in g ra d

P rege l

E lb lag

Szka rpaw a

N oga t

P asleka

G ra yevka

B auda

P rim orskaya N e lm a

Vileyka

R U S S IA

P O L A N D

B a ltiy

sk S

trait

To lk m ic k oF ro m b o rk

M am onovka

P ro kh la dnaya

K ry n ic a M o rsk a

 WATER DISCHARGES TO THE VISTULA LAGOONWATER DISCHARGES TO THE VISTULA LAGOON

No measurements of discharges No measurements of discharges Water quality parameters not measured in all riversWater quality parameters not measured in all rivers

NOT ALL RIVERS ARE MONITOREDNOT ALL RIVERS ARE MONITORED

Comparison of calculation results Comparison of calculation results with use of 2D and 3D models against with use of 2D and 3D models against monitoring data indicates that both monitoring data indicates that both models reproduce water levels and models reproduce water levels and salinity distributions in the lagoon quite salinity distributions in the lagoon quite accurately. accurately.

There is no distinctive indication that There is no distinctive indication that there are areas where usage of 3D there are areas where usage of 3D model would be more justified. model would be more justified.

For solving large scale problems in For solving large scale problems in the lagoon 2D model is absolutely the lagoon 2D model is absolutely satisfactory.satisfactory.

However, for analysis of small scale However, for analysis of small scale hydrodynamic and transport processes hydrodynamic and transport processes in Baltiysk Strait and navigation in Baltiysk Strait and navigation channel areas, the application of the 3D channel areas, the application of the 3D model would be more justified.model would be more justified.

MODELLING EXPERIENCESMODELLING EXPERIENCES

Comparison

2D environmentalprediction

2D model

3D environmentalprediction

3D model

Hydrological and environmentaldata

Russian Point 8

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1997-11-16

1998-01-05

1998-02-24

1998-04-15

1998-06-04

1998-07-24

1998-09-12

1998-11-01

1998-12-21

1999-02-09

Time

Sa

lin

ity

in

PS

U

calculated 3Dcalculated 2Dmeasured by IORASmeasured average

POSSIBILITY OF DATA USAGE FROM OPERATIONAL POSSIBILITY OF DATA USAGE FROM OPERATIONAL MODELS MODELS

The Vistula Lagoon is a transboundary basin shared by The Vistula Lagoon is a transboundary basin shared by two countries: Poland and Russia.two countries: Poland and Russia.

To calibrate and run the models data are needed from To calibrate and run the models data are needed from both countries.both countries.

There is no common data base. Data exchange is difficult There is no common data base. Data exchange is difficult and not always possible.and not always possible.

How to deal with these problems?How to deal with these problems?

use the same modelling system

cooperate andbuild common data base

A

use the same modelling systemor different

use own data anduse operational modelling system

to fill in the gaps

Bif there is no cooperation

Assessment of WQ status of the LagoonScenarios of WQ changes

POSSIBILITY OF DATA USAGE FROM OPERATIONAL POSSIBILITY OF DATA USAGE FROM OPERATIONAL MODELS MODELS

OPTION BOPTION B

2 OPERATIONAL MODELS may be used 2 OPERATIONAL MODELS may be used to fill in the gaps: HIROMB for HD to fill in the gaps: HIROMB for HD conditions and HIRLAM for meteo;conditions and HIRLAM for meteo;

BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE ACCESS TO BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE ACCESS TO THE MODELSTHE MODELS

THE VISTULA LAGOON HIGHLIGHTSTHE VISTULA LAGOON HIGHLIGHTS

• Light availability is a very important factor Light availability is a very important factor governing the primary governing the primary production in the Lagoonproduction in the Lagoon - depends on the amounts of suspended matter, which

concentrations are very high, several times higher than values observed in rivers.

• The Vistula Lagoon is, in general, limited by nitrogenThe Vistula Lagoon is, in general, limited by nitrogen. Model simulations indicated that the limiting factors for phytoplankton growth in the Vistula Lagoon were inorganic phosphorus in short periods in spring and inorganic nitrogen in

summer and early autumn.

Nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria may annihilate efforts of Nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria may annihilate efforts of nitrogen load reduction, if phosphorus concentrations in summer are nitrogen load reduction, if phosphorus concentrations in summer are not reducednot reduced. Reduction of phosphate concentrations in summer is needed, in addition

to nitrogen reduction, if summer phytoplankton blooms are to be suppressed.

• There is little retention of phosphorus in the Lagoon.There is little retention of phosphorus in the Lagoon. Nitrogen retention is more substantial.

The Vistula Lagoon ecosystem may quickly react to changes in The Vistula Lagoon ecosystem may quickly react to changes in nutrient loadsnutrient loads. Due to short freshwater residence time (ca. 7 months) the Vistula Lagoon ecosystem may quickly react to changes in nutrient loads. According to the model simulations, the pelagic system may stabilize at new levels within 2 years.

• The present ecological status of the lagoon may be estimated as The present ecological status of the lagoon may be estimated as “moderate”.“moderate”.

Modelling may be a valuable tool for ecological status assessmentModelling may be a valuable tool for ecological status assessment. To assess reference conditions modelling may be applied (Delft3D WAQ model).

• ““Good” to “high” status in the Lagoon may be reachedGood” to “high” status in the Lagoon may be reached. It is possible to reach the “good” to “high” status when the Optimal Target Development scenario is applied, which assumes Good Agricultural Code in the Vistula Lagoon drainage basin and point sources pollution reduction.

THE VISTULA LAGOON HIGHLIGHTSTHE VISTULA LAGOON HIGHLIGHTS

REDUCTION OF NUTRIENT LOADS REDUCTION OF NUTRIENT LOADS from Point from Point SourcesSources

1991

M47%B

53%

1998

B84%

N/P16% 1998

B17%

U8%

M75%

Polish Part - modernization Russian Part - construction

of WWTP (with biological treatment with denitrification and P removal as a target)

2000M - Mechanical treatment

B - Biological treatment

N/P - Biological treatment with denitrificationand chemical removal of Phosphorus

U - Untreated sewage

2000

N/P49%

U 4%M/C 1%

B46%

2000M - Mechanical and chemical treatment

B - Biological treatment

N/P - Biological treatment with denitrificationand chemical removal of Phosphorus

U - Untreated sewage

DDIFFUSE SOURCESIFFUSE SOURCES agriculture and other:agriculture and other:

Proper fertilization of fields (less mineral more natural)Proper fertilization of fields (less mineral more natural)

Proper storage of manure, urine, slurryProper storage of manure, urine, slurry

Education of farmers in good agricultural practices (financial Education of farmers in good agricultural practices (financial support: cheap loans, etc.)support: cheap loans, etc.)

ATMOSPHEREATMOSPHERE

Reduction of N emissionsReduction of N emissions

SEDIMENT / WATER INTERACTIONSSEDIMENT / WATER INTERACTIONS

Studies necessaryStudies necessary

REDUCTION OF NUTRIENTREDUCTION OF NUTRIENT

1.1. Necessity to sNecessity to set up of a common et up of a common PPolish/olish/RRussian monitoring ussian monitoring programprogram of the Vistula of the Vistula LLagoon, agoon, BBaltiysk strait and discharging rivers, as altiysk strait and discharging rivers, as

well as conduct frequent intercalibrations of measurements !!! well as conduct frequent intercalibrations of measurements !!! Including following parameters:Including following parameters:

PRACTICAL PROJECT RESULTS RELATED TO PRACTICAL PROJECT RESULTS RELATED TO WATER MANAGEMENTWATER MANAGEMENT

• Meteorological,Meteorological,

• Hydrological including measurements of velocities in the lagoon at several Hydrological including measurements of velocities in the lagoon at several depths,depths, water levels, river discharges water levels, river discharges

• Water qualityWater quality in lagoon and rivers in lagoon and rivers,,

• BiologicalBiological in lagoon and rivers, in lagoon and rivers,

• Sediment in lagoonSediment in lagoon

2. 2. Establishment of a common Establishment of a common PoPolish/lish/RRussian data baseussian data base Including parameters collected during monitoring programIncluding parameters collected during monitoring program

3. Usage of the same modelling tools3. Usage of the same modelling toolsEasier to compare, better information and experiences exchangeEasier to compare, better information and experiences exchange, used for , used for scenarios and water management planning scenarios and water management planning

4.4. Usage of operational models complementary to actually Usage of operational models complementary to actually measured datameasured dataBoth countries have access to HIROMB and HIRLAM operational models, Both countries have access to HIROMB and HIRLAM operational models, therefore they are proposed to be used in case data from one country is not therefore they are proposed to be used in case data from one country is not available to the other countryavailable to the other country or in emergency or in emergency..

5. Active and to some extent resored transboundary cooperation5. Active and to some extent resored transboundary cooperation

between water managers and scientific instructionsbetween water managers and scientific instructions

PRACTICAL PROJECT RESULTS RELATED TO PRACTICAL PROJECT RESULTS RELATED TO WATER MANAGEMENTWATER MANAGEMENT

During the project it was noticed that dissemination of information During the project it was noticed that dissemination of information

on different activities and projects carried out for the Vistula on different activities and projects carried out for the Vistula

Lagoon and its basin is very poor. Apparently some activities Lagoon and its basin is very poor. Apparently some activities

within different running and proposed projects were overlapping within different running and proposed projects were overlapping

since there was no knowledge about the ongoing projects and since there was no knowledge about the ongoing projects and

cooperation between them.cooperation between them.

FOLLOW UP PROJECTS GENERATEDFOLLOW UP PROJECTS GENERATED

THANK YOU !THANK YOU !