Thesis supervisor: Ákos Rédey
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Pannonia, Institute of Environmental Engineering Abbreviation of location of studies: PE
Description of the research topic:
The Water Framework Directive aims at reaching the good ecological status of the surface and ground water bodies. The proposal deals with quality evaluation of waters with special focus on the water chemistry, biological/ecological, hydromorphological, special chemicals, etc. parameters as defined in the Water Framework Directive and pertaining legal regulations. The purpose of the PhD work is to devise a quantitative type of water quality assessment method which could provide rapid, accurate, and reliable information on the quality of the surface waters by using water parameters. Quality classes have been defined for every water parameter in light of the legal limit values of the water parameters. In addition to this, weight indices are to be calculated on the basis of the outcome of the paired comparison of water parameters and normalized matrix. This is to be followed by the parametric level analysis of the water parameters, and finally, the aquatic environment quality index is to be calculated, which could provide general information on the quality of water regarding the water parameters. The method is to be illustrated on Lake Balaton, Hungary and on a selected lake in foreign country in which case water samples taken from lakes are to be analyzed and evaluated with the method devised. However, it is to be noted that the other categories (biological/ecological, hydromorphological, etc.) are to be dealt as well. The goal of the PhD work is to elaborate a method for the comprehensive evaluation of the water parameters and to illustrate its usability on the Lake Balaton and a foreign lake and to make a comprehensive comparison.
Available infrastructure and laboratory facilities: The Institute of Environmental Engineering, University of Pannonia is well equipped with instruments required for the research : Atomic absorption spectrometer, TOC, BOD,COD measuring devices, FTIR (Brucker Vertex 70 type), Raman spectrometer, ICP, classical laboratory facilities.
Targeted objectives and expected outcomes in the period of four years: Elaboration of a methodology for water quality assessment. Publication of 4-5 papers with impact factor. Participation on international conferences, 2 conferences per year. Preparation of half- yearly progress reports.