Author(s)

U. Kern & B. Westrich

Abstract

The trapping of fine-grained sediment and selected trace metals (Cd, Cr) in a 77km lock-regulated stretch of the Neckar River, Germany, is investigated by long-term numerical simulation employing a 1-D flow and transport model. Over the 45-year simulation period (1950 to 1994), 1.3-10* tonnes of sediment (7.1% of the sediment inflow), 20 tonnes of Cd (3.8%) and 274 tonnes of Cr (6.5%) are trapped in the regarded river section. In agreement with field data, preferential sedimentation takes place in 3 of the 14 reservoirs which is due to minor sediment erosion during flood events. Longitudinal profiles of sediment pollution by Cd and Cr are satisfactorily reproduced by the numerical results. 1 Introduction

Keywords