A coupled three dimensional physical, biological model (NORWECOM) has been
used to study the effect of different reduction scenarios of nutrient inputs to the North
Sea. Six different simulations where the nutrient loads from the Rhine and the German
rivers have been varied, are perfonned.
Outside the Belgian and Dutch coast there is a linear relationship between the
decreased inputs from the Rhine and primary production with little effects of reduced
inputs in the German rivers. In the German BightIDanish west coast effects are almost
similar for reductions either in the Rhine or the German rivers. In the German Bight a
summer oxygen minimum is also influence by a reduced input of nutnents, but the
effects are relatively independent of which reduction scenario that have been chosen
