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Optimization of the monitoring network on the River Tisza (Central Europe, Hungary) using combined cluster and discriminant analysis, taking seasonality into account

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Abstract

The most essential requirement for water management is efficient and informative monitoring. Operating water quality monitoring networks is a challenge from both the scientific and economic points of view, especially in the case of river sections ranging over hundreds of kilometers. Therefore, spatio-temporal optimization is vital. In the present study, the optimization of the monitoring system of the River Tisza, the second largest river in Central Europe, is presented using a generally applicable and novel method, combined cluster and discriminant analysis (CCDA). This area for the study was chosen because, spatial inhomogeneity of a river’s monitoring network can more easily be studied in a mostly natural watershed - as in the case of the River Tisza - since the effects of man-made obstacles: e.g water barrage systems, hydroelectric power plants, artificial lakes, etc. are more pronounced. Furthermore, since the temporal sampling frequency was bi-weekly, the opportunity of optimizing the monitoring system on a temporal (monthly) scale arose. In the research, 15 water quality parameters measured at 14 sampling sites in the Hungarian section of the River Tisza were assessed for the time period 1975–2005. First, four within-year sections (“hydrochemical seasons”) were determined, characterized with unequal lengths, namely 2, 4, 2, and 4 months long starting with spring. Homogeneous groups of sampling sites were determined in space for every season, with the main separating factors being the tributaries and man-made obstacles. Similarly, an overall pattern of homogeneity was determined. As an overall result, the 14 sampling sites could be grouped into 11 homogeneous groups leading to the possibility of reducing the number of sampling locations and thus making the monitoring system more cost-efficient.

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Notes

  1. Hydrochemical seasons (e.g. Kolander and Tylkowski 2008) are the seasonal characteristics reflected in the chemical parameters analyzed in the waters of the river. These will be referred to as “seasons” from now on and should not be confused with the general concept of the climatic seasons, even if the former are highly affected by the latter.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Paul Thatcher for his work on our English version and say thanks for the stimulating discussions with our colleagues at the Department of Physical and Applied Geology of Eötvös Loránd University. In addition, we would like to thank (i) the “Lendület” program of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (LP2012-27/2012) and (ii) the TÁMOP-4.2.2.B-15/1/KONV-2015-0004) project of the Pannon University for their support. This is contribution No. 18 of 2ka Palæoclimatology Research Group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Meteorology and Water Management, Georgikon Faculty, University of Pannonia, Keszthely, H-8360, Hungary

    Péter Tanos, Solt Kovács & Angéla Anda

  2. Department of Physical and Applied Geology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary

    József Kovács

  3. Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, Research Center for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, MTA, Budaörsi út 45., Budapest, H-1112, Hungary

    István Gábor Hatvani

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  1. Péter Tanos
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  2. József Kovács
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  3. Solt Kovács
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  4. Angéla Anda
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  5. István Gábor Hatvani
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Correspondence to István Gábor Hatvani.

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Solt Kovács is currently an M.Sc. student in Mathematics at ETH Zurich e-mail: kovacssolt@gmail.com

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Tanos, P., Kovács, J., Kovács, S. et al. Optimization of the monitoring network on the River Tisza (Central Europe, Hungary) using combined cluster and discriminant analysis, taking seasonality into account. Environ Monit Assess 187, 575 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4777-y

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