Introducing sampling frequency estimation using variograms in water research with the example of nutrient loads in the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (W Hungary)

Abstract In most of the world along with urbanization came the deterioration of surface waters. The case of Hungary's Lake Balaton (the largest shallow freshwater lake in Central Europe) and its catchment area was no exception. In the second part of the twentieth century it became clear that measures had to be taken to prevent further water quality deterioration. In order to do so, the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS) was established. To measure its effectiveness in filtering Lake Balaton's water input, total phosphorus and total nitrogen loads are regularly estimated. In this study the practice of temporal sampling frequency estimation is described using data series from the KBWPS in order to suggest a sampling frequency that is suitable for estimating annual nutrient loads and still produces a dataset from which environmental processes can be followed. In this case, temporal sampling frequency estimation was conducted using variogram analysis, before which trend removal was performed on four sampling sites and two daily sampled parameters for the years 1993–2007. Although the calculations were only carried out on two parameters they are applicable to other environmental parameters as well. Nutrient load estimation is used as a verification tool. The result of the variogram analysis pointed towards a three-day sampling frequency for the whole KBWPS in the case of total phosphorus and total nitrogen (if the purpose of the monitoring is nutrient estimation). This reduction in sampling frequency would make an approximately 50% cost reduction possible. The study gives an example of sampling frequency estimation which is a key question in every aspect of environmental science, so that hopefully it will be useful for scientists dealing with water protection issues.