Controlled Reservoir Drawdown—Challenges for Sediment Management and Integrative Monitoring: An Austrian Case Study—Part A: Reach Scale

For Europe, a reduction of 80% of the potential storage volume due to reservoir sedimentation is predicted by 2080. Sedimentation processes trigger the decrease of the storage volume and a related restriction in hydropower production. Further, the artificial downstream flushing of deposited fines has manifold effects on the aquatic ecology, including changes in morphology and sediment quality, as well as increased turbidity and subsequent stress for aquatic species. However, it is common to lower the water surface of reservoirs for technical inspections, which is not comparable to reservoir flushing operations. The presented case study deals with such a controlled drawdown beyond the operational level of the Gepatsch reservoir (Tyrol, Austria). Based on the awareness of possible ecological consequences, an advanced set of measures and an integrative monitoring design, consisting of a detailed event-based quantification of suspended sediments, changes in the morphology, especially with respect to fine sediments, and analyses of the biological quality element fish on the reach scale along the Inn River have been developed.

Controlled Reservoir Drawdown—Challenges for Sediment Management and Integrative Monitoring: An Austrian Case Study—Part B: Local Scale

The present case study deals with a controlled drawdown beyond the operational level of the Gepatsch reservoir (Austria). Based on the awareness of potential ecological consequences, an advanced set of measures was conducted and an integrative monitoring design was implemented. This pre- and post-event monitoring included measurements regarding the cross sectional variability and habitat-related turbidity, freeze-core sampling to obtain knowledge on fine sediment infiltration and an evaluation of the macroinvertebrate communities as well as fish egg development (salmonid incubation). The results of the sedimentological as well as biological investigations show a negligible impact on the downstream located aquatic system due to the controlled drawdown of the Gepatsch reservoir. In addition, recommendations based on the findings from this study regarding possible methods for local scale monitoring can be given.

Integrative monitoring of systemic hemodynamics and the oxygen-transport status and the choice of the intensive therapy tactics in patients, suffering an ischemic cerebral insult

Objective. To elaborate the intensive therapy tactic in patients, suffering ischemic cerebral insult (ICI) depending on changes in the systemic hemodynamics indices and the oxygen-transportation status.Маterials and methods. In 42 patients, suffering the ICI of middle severity, ageing 45 - 88 years old, the integrative monitoring of the neurological state severity, systemic hemodynamics indices and the oxygen-transportation status on background of targeted intensive therapy was conducted. Results. In the patients, suffering initial hypoxemia, a hypokinetic heart index (HI) - (2,0±0,1) l×min-1×m-2 and the lowered systemic delivery of oxygen (DO2) - (356±21) ml×min-1×m-2were revealed. Prophylactic oxygenation is needed if the value of the oxygen content in arterial blood (SаO2) exceeds 95% and DO2 is lesser than 520 ml×min-1×m-2. Aiming the achievement of eukinetic values of the HI, correction of vascular spasm and antihypertensive therapy was conducted, using alpha-adrenoblocking agent (urapydil) up to stabilization of the DO2 indices on the level of 520-600 ml×min-1×m-2. In hyperoxidal state a hyperkinetic HI - (3.6±0.1) l×min-1×m-2 and a raised DO2 - (699±14) ml×min-1×m-2 were revealed. Prophylactic oxygenation is not indicated if the value of the SаO2 index exceeds 95% and DO2 exceeds 600 ml×min-1×m-2. Aiming to achieve eukinetic values of HI it is mandatory to conduct antihypertensive therapy, using therapy with аlpha-beta-аdrenoblocking agent (labetalol). Conclusion. Targeted intensive therapy, oriented towards balance with general oxygenation of the organism tissues, normalizes the oxygen-transport homeostasis in shortest terms, what impacts the results of treatment in patients, suffering ICI, immediately.