Eutrophication of Shallow Lakes: Modeling and Management. The Lake Balaton Case Study

Somlyody, L., Herodek, S., & Fischer, J. (1983). Eutrophication of Shallow Lakes: Modeling and Management. The Lake Balaton Case Study. IIASA Collaborative Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: CP-83-S03

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Abstract

The phenomenon of eutrophication is more irregular in character and less satisfactorily understood for shallow water bodies than for deep lakes. Research, initiated by IIASA, focussed of Lake Balaton, Hungary, as the subject of a case study. Three main considerations promoted the selection of Lake Balaton: 1) a large amount of data was available, due to Hungarian research activities; 2) the lake possesses the "typical" properties of shallow lakes; and 3) serious economic interests are associated to the solution of the eutrophication problem of Lake Balaton and so several "practical" questions had to be answered in addition to the pure "scientific" issues.

The structure of the research was based on a systems analytical approach which allowed the joint study of scientific and practical issues covering a wide range of different disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, hydrology, mathematics, economics, etc. The mathematical models developed in harmony and interaction with data collection and experimental work played a significant role in the project. Several existing methods were adopted for modeling the ecological and hydrophysical processes as well as water quality management in parallel with establishing new methodologies.

At the completion of the research an expert committee was established in Hungary to elaborate recommendations for the government concerning the revision and modification of existing measures on water quality control and regional development. In January 1983, the Council of Ministers approved the recommendations and made the relevant decisions. Thus, the research results were transferred to decision makers within a very short period, allowing them to bring in scientifically well established new decisions.

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