Test for the applicability of combined nuclear and geochemical methods in relation to the water balance of Lake Neusiedl, Austria

Since 1960 a number of investigations based on nuclear and geochemical techniques have been carried out in an attempt to determine the water balance of Lake Neusiedl, Austria (area 350 km2, average depth 1 m). A short review of the results obtained by using environmental isotopes, artificial tracers and water chemistry is presented. The main aim of these investigations was to gain qualitative and quantitative information about groundwater inflow which cannot be achieved by classical hydrologic methods. In the case of Lake Neusiedl, the subsurface inflow has a considerable influence on the water balance which is mainly determined by precipitation and evaporation. (author)