Gemeinsame österreichisch-ungarische Sedimentforschung im Rahmen des EFRE-Projektes SEDDON

The multiple uses of the Danube River for navigation, hydropower production and as a drinking water supply influence its ecological quality. Flow restrictions due to regulation as well as impacts on the sediment regime such as retention in the catchment area and interruption of the sediment continuum result in changes of the hydromorphological structures and can produce major problems in the context of sediment management. In light of these facts, cross-border investigations of sediment transport at the Danube River are called for. As there are no uniform research approaches shared by Austria and Hungary, the EU-funded project SEDDON (Sediment Research and Management at the Danube River) aims to compare different monitoring and modeling techniques used to determine sediment transport, and to develop mutual solutions. Further, the laboratory equipment currently used for hydraulic model experiments is evaluated and a research channel with a free flowing discharge of up to 10 m³/s without pumping will be constructed, allowing large-scale joint laboratory tests concerning sediment to be performed.     

Optimierung der Habitatmodellierung an gro?en Flie?gew?ssern unter Berücksichtigung von flussmorphologischen Prozessen auf unterschiedlichen Skalen

In light of the various anthropogenic pressures on our river systems (flood protection, navigation, recreational fisheries) and current legal requirements (European Water Framework Directive), the need for integrative evaluation tools has become increasingly apparent. The so-called habitat modeling approach addresses these integrative efforts to quantify the changing environment for target species (fish, macro-invertebrates), taking into account hydrological and/or morphological changes. Over the course of extensive monitoring on the Danube east of Vienna this specific evaluation tool has been adapted and improved to allow the assessment of river engineering measures in future, especially before their implementation and to determine their potential impacts on the ecological conditions.     

Einsatz des elektronischen Spiegels für den betrieblichen Überblick im Kanalsystem

Maintaining public sewer systems is one of sewer operators’ key responsibilities. Thus, information regarding the condition of the sewer system based on regular inspections is crucial in order to ensure operability and identify areas in need of rehabilitation. Condition assessments are usually carried out either directly by operational staff or indirectly, by means of CCTV inspection. However, alternative inspection methods are also available, including a manhole-zoom camera. Within the framework of the ongoing INNOKANIS project of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna four different manhole-zoom camera models have been tested to date. One aspect of this testing focused on structural and operational condition assessments in sewer systems. Based on these results, the manhole-zoom camera can provide a simple, quick and cost-effective operational overview in terms of the need for rehabilitation, cleaning or further inspection. Despite certain limitations that have to be considered when using this inspection device, it represents an effective tool for optimising operations of the sewer system.