In the project The Rhine Moves, German and Dutch authorities are working together to monitor sediment and plastics in and on the Rhine bed in the border region.
Measurement data on bed load transport and riverbed composition are important for a better cross-border understanding of the Rhine system and for jointly sound sediment management. Authorities on both sides of the border conduct intensive sediment management for water safety, water quality, climate adaptation, nature, navigability, and other functions.
This project also utilizes the opportunity to analyze the bedload and riverbed samples already being collected for the presence of micro- and macroplastics. In this way, The Rhine Moves complements the ongoing Interreg project “The Rhine Connects”, which measures macroplastics in the water and on the riverbanks. Together, the two projects will provide a comprehensive dataset on plastics in the Rhine system. Information on plastics is important for developing government measures to reduce plastic pollution.
The project
is working towards the following objectives:
–
Improving, innovating, and harmonizing methods to develop joint monitoring
strategies for sediment and plastics;
– Obtaining
and analyzing joint sediment and plastic measurement data for a better
understanding of the Rhine’s cross-border system;
– Sharing knowledge with end users and the broader public.
In their
approach, the authorities distinguish between monitoring of 1) bedload transport, 2) riverbed composition, and 3) plastics in and on the riverbed. Existing methods are evaluated, improved and harmonized. Innovative methods are also being
developed by utilizing novel image, sound and AI-based techniques. Data will be analyzed to gain better system insight. At the end of the
project, joint monitoring strategies for sediment and plastic are developed and
the partners will sign an agreement to apply these joint strategies, exchange data and coordinate advice on possible
measures.
