Assessing global water quality issues requires a multi-pollutant modelling approach. We discuss scientific challenges and future directions for such modeling. Multi-pollutant river models need to integrate information on sources of pollutants such as plastic debris, nutrients, chemicals, pathogens, their effects and possible solutions. In this paper, we first explain what we consider multi-pollutant modelling. Second, we discuss scientific challenges in multi-pollutant modelling relating to consistent model inputs, modelling approaches and model evaluation. Next, we illustrate the potential of global multi-pollutant modelling for hotspot analyses. We show hotspots of river pollution with microplastics, nutrients, triclosan and Cryptosporidium in many sub-basins of Europe, North America and South Asia. Finally, we reflect on future directions for multi-pollutant modelling, and for linking model results to policy-making.
1.Wageningen Univ & Res, Water Syst & Global Change Grp, POB 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands 2.Wageningen Univ & Res, Aquat Ecol & Water Qual Management Grp, POB 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands 3.Univ Kassel, Water Ctr Environm Syst Res, Wilhelmshoher Allee 47, D-34109 Kassel, Germany 4.Wageningen Univ & Res, Environm Syst Anal Grp, POB 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands 5.IIASA, Water Program, Schlosspl 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria 6.Open Univ, Dept Sci, Fac Management Sci & Technol, Heerlen, Netherlands 7.NERC Ctr Ecol & Hydrol, Wallingford OX10 9AU, Oxon, England
Recommended Citation:
Strokal, Maryna,Spanier, J. Emiel,Kroeze, Carolien,et al. Global multi-pollutant modelling of water quality: scientific challenges and future directions[J]. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY,2019-01-01,36:116-125