Climate change is likely to contribute to more frequent severe rain events along the Elbe. But the exact extent of environmental change remains difficult to predict. An observation system called MOSES aims to determine precisely how floods alter the Elbe ecosystem and the coastal regions.
Led by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) scientists from the Alfred-Wegener Institute (AWI) in Bremerhaven as well as from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig used a zeppelin in an initial measurement campaign. In addition to the zeppelin, several drones and research ships from AWI, UFZ and HZG were also put to use. Apart from measurement data from the flying and floating research platforms, the researchers evaluated additional data from stationary measurement stations.
The Helmholtz scientists set out to comprehensively measure all processes that lead to the complex interactions between ocean, coast, land and atmosphere for the first time. They also studied the effects of offshore wind energy plants on the ocean currents in the North Sea.
The expedition was part of a new Helmholtz Association project. The five-year MOSES initiative stands for "Modular Observation Solutions for Earth Systems". A total of twenty-eight million Euros has been made available to the eight participating research centres for developing and operating the new flexible Earth observation system.
Within the framework of MOSES, the first measurement campaign involved more than twenty researchers. With the novel mobile and modular MOSES concept, dynamic and long-term observation methods in different compartments of the Earth system are to be directly linked with one another for the first time. They are to be used at short notice during flood events.
Measurements taken on the Elbe and in the Wadden Sea are also a further test of the measurement methods and the rapid data exchange between the different platforms. The scientists study, for example, how nutrients are transported via precipitation, plants and soil into the rivers and ultimately into the North Sea as well as how they influence the growth of marine algae there.
How do Elbe floods affect the complex river and North Sea ecosystem?
Land along the Elbe is heavily flooded during severe rain events. The floods then transport nutrients or pollutants, which ultimately wind up in the North Sea. The researchers are interested in the flow conditions as well as the physics behind these conditions. How are pollutants and nutrients transported? How are they mixed? The researchers aim to discover how nutrients from agriculture interact with temperature and current. A certain "taking stock" is carried out in this first measurement campaign. The data can later be compared with those during a flood event to better understand these processes.
Why was a Zeppelin used?
A vehicle that can remain directly over the event itself is required for studying very small-scale phenomena. It isn't enough to just take a single still shot of the event. It is necessary to observe and record in full a phenomenon in order to understand it. This is something that the zeppelin can do. It can remain hovering in place and does not, for example, create turbulence of its own. Further advantages of using the zeppelin are its flight duration - it can fly for ten hours on one tank - and the fact that it takes measurements from up above means that it does not influence the results. A helicopter, for example, would create turbulence on the water's surface.
Several special cameras were installed on board the zeppelin. A hyperspectral camera records the water's light spectrum. From this, the researchers can recognise the different water constituents, such as green or brown algae. The infrared camera installed on board provides, for example, temperature maps of the water's surface from an altitude of one thousand metres and captures fifty images per second. The thermal camera can measure even the smallest temperature differences of 0.03 degrees Celsius. The flow rate is measured with an additional camera.
What does the UFZ’s research ship ALBIS measure?
The UFZ's research vessel ALBIS studies the spatial and temporal variability of material input from the Middle Elbe into the tidal area during low tide. In order to carry out this work, the scientists take water samples in the river's cross section between Magdeburg and the Geesthacht weir, analyse the samples directly on site in the on-board laboratory and study aspects such as nutrients, organic sum parameters and trace elements.
What is a stationary measurement station?
At a water depth of approximately eleven metres, the underwater node provides a permanent power and data connection to which scientific devices can be connected and operated remotely. At present, current, salinity and oxygen as well as fish fauna and ground-dwelling creatures are recorded and studied continuously throughout the year. The data series obtained in this manner form a vital basis for answering questions concerning environmental change in the North Sea. The underwater node was developed by AWI and the HZG and was put into operation in 2012.
Data from the FerryBox in Cuxhaven was also taken into consideration. The FerryBox is an autonomous measurement system. These systems are installed on both ferries and cargo ships with fixed routes as well as at fixed locations. They contain sensors to automatically capture the condition and water quality of the sea. This permanent measuring method is an economical, reliable and steady way to record data on salinity, water temperature, algal concentrations and many other quantities.
How are the mudflats measured?
The location and condition of tidal channels, mussel beds and tempestite deposits, sea grass and beach areas can be captured from the zeppelin as well as the morphological changes in the mud flats and the development of vegetation on the islands. This data is also analysed on the islands of Neuwerk, Scharhörn and Nigehörn by the Wadden Sea National Park Hamburg.
How can current measurements be carried out using drones?
The drone is equipped with a camera. This is used to measure river current rates and to examine smaller waves. Film recordings of the wave motion are taken in order to carry out these measurements. The average flow for the upper ten centimetres is recorded for the entire area. The filmed waves were evaluated using image processing methods and computer programs developed in house. The measurements were carried out over the Elbe near Lauenburg.
About the MOSES Project
MOSES is a Helmholtz Association project examining processes that occur in complex event chains and connect the oceans, coasts, land surfaces and the atmosphere. HZG is involved in two event chains. The HZG heads the "Ocean Eddies" event chain, for which a zeppelin, aircraft, speedboats and autonomous diving robots will be utilised and numerous measurement methods are being developed.
The expedition has been made possible by the new MOSES project. A total of twenty-eight million Euros has been granted to the participating research centres for developing and operating MOSES. Within the project's framework, the first measurement campaign involved more than twenty researchers. With the novel, mobile and modular MOSES concept, dynamic and long-term observation methods are to be directly linked with one another for the first time and to be used at short notice during flood events.
HZG scientists under the leadership of Prof Burkard Baschek, Director at the Institute of Coastal Research, used a zeppelin for the first time to measure small ocean eddies. The researchers studied the mudflats and the Elbe using special cameras during this expedition. The infrared camera installed on board provides, for example, temperature maps of the water's surface and captures fifty images per second. The thermal camera measures even the smallest temperature differences of 0.03 degrees Celsius.
Text: Heidrun Hillen, public relations, Helmholtz-Centre Geesthacht – Centre for Materials and Coastal Research (HZG)
Further information
HZG media materials of the measurement campaign.
Description of the project: MOSES and MOSES-Website
