Articles Impact of summer droughts on the water quality Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of low river flows, affecting both water quantity and water quality. Although climate change impacts on water quantity are widely recognised, the impacts on water quality are less known. The aim of this paper is to assess the effects of droughts on the water quality of the river Meuse in western Europe, based on analysis of existing water quality data. Time series of water quality were investigated at two monitoring stations during two severe drought periods, occurring in the years 1976 and 2003. The results indicate a general deterioration of the water quality of the Meuse river during droughts, with respect to water temperature, eutrophication, major elements, and some heavy metals and metalloids. This decline in water quality is primarily caused by favourable conditions for the development of algae blooms (high water temperatures, long residence times, high nutrient concentrations) and a reduction of the dilution capacity of point source effluents. Journal of Hydrology (2008) 353, 1– 17, authors: M.T.H. van Vliet (Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University), J.J.G. Zwolsman (Kiwa), May 20, 2008 -
Droughts and climate change Lanen, H.A.J. van, Tallaksen, L.M & Rees, G. (2007) Droughts and climate change. In: Commission Staff Working Document Impact Assessment (SEC(2007) 993), Accompanying document to Communication Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union (COM(2007) 414), Commission of the European Communities, Brussels, Belgium.
WATCH, November 01, 2007 Key aspects of low flow and drought Tallaksen, L.M. & Van Lanen, H.A.J. (2007) Key aspects of low flow and drought. In: Book of Abstracts, International CHR-Workshop – Expert Consultation, Würzburg, Germany, 25-26 September 2007, 13-18. (pdf)
Tallaksen, L.M. & Van Lanen, H.A.J, September 25, 2007
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