iNNOvative SEDiment management in the Danube River Basin

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Danube River Basin (DRB) faces significant challenges associated with river sediments. In the 2021 update of the Danube River Basin Management Plan, sediment balance alteration emerged as a new sub-topic within the existing Significant Water Management Issue titled “Hydromorphological alterations.” Additionally, sectors like industry, urban sewage, and agriculture call for sediment quality evaluations throughout the DRB. However, the absence of standard sediment monitoring limits our understanding of risks.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

Addressing the sediment mismanagement in the DRB, the iNNO SED project aims to establish the Danube Sediment ‘Lighthouse’ Knowledge Centre. This centre will:

• Introduce a set of innovative methods for monitoring and modeling sediment quantity and quality, thereby deepening our knowledge of sediment processes.

• Provide innovative sediment management practices to improve sediment continuity and quality in DRB sections facing with sediment-related issues.

• Showcase co-created innovative measures through demonstration activities, while also evaluating their socio-economic and environmental aspects.

• Empower the public with innovative knowledge transfer methodologies.

• Collaborate with five Associated Regions, transferring the iNNO SED solutions to other river basins.

To accomplish these goals, iNNO SED will leverage the achievements and key contributors of the DanubeSediment and SIMONA initiatives. Moreover, it will engage relevant stakeholders of sediment management, such as ICPDR, policy makers, river managers, hydropower plant managers, waterway authorities, national parks, environmental agencies, SMEs, and more. iNNO SED will represent a pioneering approach to sediment management in large international river basins. This approach sets an example for other major global river systems like the Amazon, Mekong, or Niger. In doing so, it aligns with the Mission’s objective of intensifying the European Union’s competitiveness.

Partners:

• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna; Global Water Partnership

• Central and Eastern Europe; University College Cork; Hrvatski Geološki Institut;

• Geological Survey of Slovenia; University of Zagreb Faculty of Civil Engineering;

• Orszagos Vizugyi Foigazgatosag; Wwf Hungary; National Research Council Italy;

• Water Research Institute; Jaroslav Cerni Institute Development of Water Resources;

• National Research-Development Institute for Marine Geology and Geoecology

• Geoecomar; Ferenc Rakoczi Ii Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher

• Education; Geologicheski Institut Pri Ban St.dimitrov; Lew Wasserkraft; Technical

• University of Munich; Cesky Hydrometeorologicky Ustav; Galati Lower Danube River

• Administration; Aqua-Terra Lab Chemical Trading, Manufacturing and Service; State

• University of Moldova; Viadonau; Center for Social Innovation