GEMS

Collaboration with various project partner institutions will provide access to valuable experiences and expertise from other European countries and establish a solid foundation for optimized nitrate reduction strategies at the regional level.

High nitrate levels in groundwater are associated with a high health risk for consumers. In Austria, particular attention must be paid to regions in eastern Lower Austria (Marchfeld, northern Weinviertel, Tullner Feld), northern Burgenland (southern Vienna Basin), southern Styria (Graz Basin) and the central region of Upper Austria (Traun-Enns Plateau). In these regions, the concentrations in groundwater often exceed the treshold value of 45 mg l^-1 stipulated by the EU Nitrates Directive. The GEMS project aims to develop strategies and measures to minimize nitrate concentrations in groundwater through close collaboration with partner organizations from six European countries (Spain, Malta, Denmark, Slovakia, Belgium, France) and in cooperation with a range of regional stakeholders. In this context, nitrate monitoring stations operated continuously by the Federal Agency for Water Management in the Marchfeld region and the southern Vienna Basin are of high relevance, as they generate extensive datasets over long periods, providing insights into complex interactions between nitrate concentrations in groundwater, climate, agricultural practices and general soil conditions. Regular exchanges with the European institutions participating in the project will ensure that best practices and innovative approaches to nitrate reduction in groundwater are refined and implemented, thereby sustainably improving the protection of water resources and the health of consumers in the affected regions.