Rhine, Meuse & Scheldt Basins GREENHOOD

Coordinating partner

Universiteit Gent

Deltares

location_on Location Vinkenloop (South-NL), Lievelde (East-NL), Luikbeek (West-BE)

The Rhine, Meuse & Scheldt Basin lies in the lowlands of Belgium and the Netherlands, where the three major rivers converge before flowing into the North Sea. This densely farmed region is characterised by intensive agriculture and a network of small drainage channels, contributing to high nutrient concentrations in both surface and groundwater.

Challenges

The region is classified as a 100% Nitrate Vulnerable Zone

The region is classified as a 100% Nitrate Vulnerable Zone due to its exceptionally high livestock density and long-standing agricultural practices. Surface water and groundwater suffer from elevated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels, with legacy soil phosphorus saturation from decades of fertiliser use exacerbating nutrient pollution.
Key factors contributing to nutrient loading:
- Highest livestock density in Europe, driving manure production.
- Intensive fertiliser use, both artificial and organic.
- Long history of agricultural practices with limited nutrient recycling.
- Diffuse nutrient inputs through overland flow, tube drains, shallow and deep groundwater seepage.
- Saturated soils with high residual phosphorus loads.

The Luikbeek stream in Belgium and watercourses in Vinkenloop and Lievelde (NL) often exceed EU Water Framework Directive thresholds for nitrates, indicating the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies.

Efforts needed to reduce nutrient loading:

Implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to retain and remove nutrients from agricultural runoff.
Use of constructed wetlands and buffer zones to enhance water purification.
Better control of drainage water through bioreactors and sedimentation systems.
Integration of nutrient retention measures at the landscape level.
Monitoring and modelling of nutrient fluxes to assess solution impact.

Objective

Support regional and international efforts (e.g., International Commissions for the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt) by:

Quantifying the nutrient reduction capacity of NbS.
Mitigating nutrient emissions to both water and air.
Enhancing nutrient retention and uptake in agricultural landscapes.
Promoting cross-border collaboration for integrated water and nutrient management.

Windmill on the esplanade of the Delta Works next to the Rhine - Meuse - Scheldt delta

Solution

A set of decentralised NbS will be implemented and validated to rebalance nutrient flows and restore water quality, including:

Woodchip bioreactors for the denitrification of drain water.
Sedimentation ponds to capture particulate nutrients and carbon.
(Multifunctional) buffer strips to retain nutrients and support biodiversity.
Integrated constructed wetlands to filter nitrate-polluted water.

These interventions aim to improve ecological conditions while delivering co-benefits such as water conservation, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, and biomass reuse.

Technological approach

Key technological innovations

The project applies targeted NbS tailored to specific environmental and soil conditions in the demo locations across Belgium and the Netherlands.

Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs)

Staden (Belgium) hosts a dual wetland system – a main ICW and a test unit – used to model and compare nutrient removal efficiency in real-world conditions.

Smart monitoring for water quality

Real-time sensors track nitrate levels and water quality indicators (pH, EC, DO), providing continuous insights into the performance of NbS.

Bioreactors, ponds & buffer strips

In Vinkenloop (Netherlands), woodchip bioreactors, sedimentation ponds, and multifunctional buffer strips treat agricultural runoff and boost nutrient retention.

Landscape-based retention systems

Lievelde (Netherlands) implements tailored nutrient retention strategies to reduce leaching in sandy soils and hilly terrain, enhancing local water resilience.

Get engage

Stakeholders, researchers, and businesses are invited to collaborate in advancing sustainable nutrient management solutions for the Rhine, Meuse & Scheldt Basins . Find out how you can contribute to ongoing initiatives and policy developments.

Get involved

Publication

20 maaliskuu 2025

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29
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GREENHOOD Webinar: Rebalancing nutrient flows in regional ecosystems across Europe

GREENHOOD hosted its first introductory webinar on 20 March 2025. The event was designed to showcase the comprehensive...

DOI 10.5281/zenodo.15056374

05 helmikuu 2025

25
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22
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GREENHOOD Press Release: A European Initiative to Rebalance Nutrient Flows for a Sustainable Future

Press release for the launch of the GREENHOOD project, a four-year Horizon Europe Innovation Action aimed at developing...

DOI 10.5281/zenodo.14809181

The region is classified as a 100% Nitrate Vulnerable Zone

Support regional and international efforts (e.g., International Commissions for the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt) by:

A set of decentralised NbS will be implemented and validated to rebalance nutrient flows and restore water quality, including: