AQUAPOL-project: Model applications and comparison in the Kapos catchment, Hungary

Abstract

AQUAPOL is a project funded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN) under the EU Candidate Countries Programme. The project has carried out a pilot study in the Kapos catchment in Hungary, with the overall aim to develop tools facilitating the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Hungary. This report describes the application and inter-comparison of tools for the quantification of nutrient fluxes in the Kapos catchment. 4 different approaches were tested in the Kapos catchment; Source Apportionment (SA), TEOTIL, INCA-P and SWAT, listed from simple to complex. The study showed that each approach has different strengths and weaknesses. The simpler approaches are quick and very useful for screening purposes. The more complex models provide deeper insight into the catchment processes, provide results on a finer time resolution and, at least to some extent, support scenario analysis for management purposes. The project has been carried out as a close co-operation between VITUKI CONSULT Rt and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA).