Bryhn, Andreas
- Institutionen för akvatiska resurser (SLU Aqua), Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Sammanfattning
Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea is considered a major threat to its ecological status. We present and discuss Polish riverine flow normalized loads of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) discharged into the Baltic Sea in (i) 1988-2014, (ii) periods of maximum TN (1992-1994), TP (1988-1991) emission, (iii) the reference period (1997-2003) established by the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), (iv) 2012-2014, last years of our study. Despite considerable nutrient load reductions prior to the HELCOM reference period, Poland is expected to reduce TN and TP loads by 30% and 66%, respectively. In the light of our historical and up-to-date findings defining ecological status of the Baltic Sea, we suggest that the proposed TP load reduction is overestimated and its realization may lead to (i) undesirable consequences for the Baltic ecosystem, (ii) would require a decline in TP concentrations to 0.067 mg P dm(-3) (the Vistula River) and 0.083 mg P dm(-3) (the Oder River), values reported for pre-industrial times. The current nutrient concentrations in the Vistula and Oder safely comply with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. We also comment on the top-down and bottom-up effect resulting in quantitative and qualitative reorganization of the Baltic ecosystem, a phenomenon already observed in the Baltic Sea.
Nyckelord
Baltic; Vistula; Oder; nutrient loads; eutrophication; abatement measures
Publicerad i
Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies
2018, volym: 47, nummer: 2, sidor: 140-166
Utgivare: WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH
SLU författare
Håkanson, Lars
- Uppsala universitet
Globala målen (SDG)
SDG6 Rent vatten och sanitet för alla
SDG14 Hav och marina resurser
UKÄ forskningsämne
Oceanografi, hydrologi, vattenresurser
Publikationens identifierare
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ohs-2018-0015
Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/95946