How are River-Sea Systems functioning? How are they changing due to human pressures? What is the impact of processes in the catchment on marine systems function, and vice versa? These were a few questions, which build the foundation for the new session entitled “Integrative studies of the River-Sea-Continuum” at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), which took place from April 8-13 2018 in Vienna. Several scientists associated with DANUBIUS-RI contributed to the set-up of this session, which clearly embraces the DANUBIUS-RI vision. The session provided a scientific platform for exchange of findings from research that addresses the entire continuum of river and sea. According to the convener Jana Friedrich, the session aims to bring together the freshwater, coastal and marine community.

On April 12, about 60 scientists from all over the world joined the session to listen and discuss to the results presented in six talks. The 12 min talks ranged from modelling hydrodynamics and biogeochemical processes in complex River-Sea Systems, over modelling the impacts of extreme events on the associated coastal system, to assessing phytoplankton, carbon and nutrients dynamics, as well as the fate of emerging organic contaminants in River-Sea Systems. For example, Andreas Schöl from the German Federal Institute of Hydrology was glad about the opportunity to show two major related datasets from the Elbe River as well as the Elbe Estuary. Also Matthew Hipsey from the University of Western Australia appreciated the integrated approach of the session: “Usually I have to choose where I present my research. Here I can show everything.”

Afterwards over 15 posters associated with the session were presented in a big poster hall, where interested scientists could chat with one of the authors of the individual posters. For example Friedrich et al. gave an overview about DANUBIUS-RI, Bold et al. outlined ideas and plans for the Elbe-North Supersite and Constantinescu et al. presented current trends in water and suspended sediment discharge of some European rivers, which are also covered by DANUBIUS-RI Supersites. We are glad to have been attracted also many contributions from scientists currently outside of the DANUBIUS-PP consortium.

You can download the full session description as well as the list of orals and posters, which have been presented in the session here.

Thanks to the scientists, who presented orals and posters, as well as to the science community for their interest, questions and comments during this session. We are looking forward to the General Assembly of the EGU in 2019, as well as to many more interesting contributions and respective discussions in the session “Integrative Studies of the River-Sea Continuum”.

Your Session Conveners:

Jana Friedrich (HZG, Germany)
Debora Bellafiore (ISMAR-CNR, Italy)
Andrea D’Alpaos (University of Padova, Italy)
Panagiotis Michalopoulos (HCMR, Greece)
David Todd (HR Wallingford, UK)