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Nutrients in transitional, coastal and marine waters (CSI 021) - Assessment published Mar 2013: In 2010, the highest concentrations of oxidized nitrogen were found in the Baltic Sea, in the Gulf of Riga and Kiel Bay, and in Belgian, Dutch and German coastal waters in the Greater North Sea. Reported stations in the Northern Spanish and Croatian coastal waters also showed high concentration levels. The highest orthophosphate concentrations were found in the Baltic Sea, in the Gulf of Riga and Kiel Bay, and in Irish, Belgian, Dutch and German coastal waters in the Greater North Sea. Coastal stations along Northern Spain and Southern France also showed high concentration levels. Between 1985 and 2010, overall nutrient concentrations have been either stable or decreasing in stations reported to the EEA in the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas and in the Baltic Sea. However, this decrease has been more pronounced for nitrogen. Assessments for the overall Mediterranean and Black Sea regions were not possible, data only being available for stations in France and Croatia. For oxidized nitrogen concentrations, 14% of all the reported stations showed decreasing trends, whereas only 2% showed increasing trends. Decreases were most evident in the Baltic Sea (coastal waters of Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, and open waters) and in southern part of the coast of the Greater North Sea. Increasing trends were mainly found in Croatian coastal stations. For orthophosphate concentrations, 10% of all the reported stations showed a decrease. This was most evident in coastal and open water stations in the Greater North Sea, and in coastal stations in the Baltic Sea. Increasing orthophosphate trends, observed in 6% of the reported stations, were mainly detected in Irish, Danish and Finnish coastal waters (Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Bothnia) and in open waters of the Baltic Proper.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Nutrients in transitional, coastal and marine waters
Biological elements in rivers and lakes: This viewer with 4 maps shows the ecological status (i.e. status or potential) of macroinvertebrates and phytobenthos in European rivers (i.e. rivers and canals) potentially impacted by general degradation and of macrophytes and phytobenthos in European lakes (i.e. lakes and reservoirs) potentially impacted by eutrophication, respectively. The ecological status class of a country's waterbodies (or stations) is assessed by each country according to their national classification system, following the Water Framework Directive. The assessment may be based by one or more samples measured during the year of reporting. The ecological status in rivers or lakes is displayed as classified cartograms in a country-level map: it displays the distribution of status classes per country as one pie chart for each country. This can be used to compare the situation in your country with that in other countries. When the map is zoomed in to a more detailed scale individual station points are visible instead of classified cartograms.
Located in Environmental topics › Water › Interactive maps and data viewers by category
Waterbase - UWWTD: Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive: Urban Waste Water treatment Directive concerns the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water and the treatment and discharge of waste water from certain industrial sectors. The objective of the Directive is to protect the environment from the adverse effects of the above mentioned waste water discharges.
Located in Data and maps › Datasets
Average concentrations of nutrients in European groundwaters and surface waters (1992-2010) Fig. 1a: Nitrate in groundwater; Fig. 1b Nitrate in rivers; Fig. 1c Orthophosphate in rivers; and Fig. 1d: Total phosphorus in lakes: Concentrations are expressed as annual mean concentrations. Only complete series after inter/extrapolation are included (see indicator specification). The number of groundwater bodies/river stations/lake stations included per country is given in parenthesis.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Nutrients in freshwater (CSI 020) - Assessment published Oct 2012: Average nitrate concentrations in European groundwaters increased from 1992 to 1998, but have declined again since 2004. The average nitrate concentration in European rivers decreased by approximately 11% between 1992 and 2010 (from 2.5 to 2.2 mg/l N), reflecting the effect of measures to reduce agricultural inputs of nitrate as well as improvement in wastewater treatment. Average orthophosphate concentrations in European rivers have decreased markedly over the last two decades, being more than halved between 1992 and 2010 (54% decrease). Also average lake phosphorus concentration decreased over the period 1992-2010 (by 31%), the major part of the decrease occurring in the beginning of the period, but is still ongoing. The decrease in phosphorus concentrations reflects both improvement in wastewater treatment and reduction in phosphorus in detergents. Overall, reductions in the levels of freshwater nutrients over the last two decades primarily reflect improvements in wastewater treatment. Emissions from agriculture continue to be a significant source.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Nutrients in freshwater
Observed changes in winter oxidised nitrogen (NO2 and NO3) concentrations, 1985–2010: The map shows stations with a statistically significant decrease (green), increase (red) or no trend (yellow) in winter oxidised nitrogen concentrations within the period 1985-2010. Selected stations must have at least data in the period from 2007 to present and at least 5 years data in all.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Winter orthophosphate concentrations in European seas in 2010: The map shows the winter orthophosphate concentrations in the European coastal and open waters in 2010. The low category refers to values within the lowest 20th percentile and the high category refers to values within the upper 20th percentile of concentrations in a regional sea.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Winter oxidized nitrogen (NO2 + NO3) concentrations in European seas in 2010: The map shows the winter oxidized nitrogen concentrations in the European coastal and open waters in 2010. The low category refers to values within the lowest 20th percentile and the high category refers to values within the upper 20th percentile of concentrations in a regional sea
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Part 2. Thematic indicator-based assessments: Located in Publications › Environmental indicator report 2012 › Environmental indicator report 2012 - Ecosystem resilience and resource efficiency in a green economy in Europe
Nutrients in freshwater (CSI 020) - Assessment DRAFT created Apr 2012: • Average nitrate concentrations in European groundwaters increased from 1992 to 1998, but have declined again since 2004. • The average nitrate concentration in European rivers decreased by approximately 13% between 1992 and 2009 (from 2.5 to 2.1 mg/l N), reflecting the effect of measures to reduce agricultural inputs of nitrate. • Average orthophosphate concentrations in European rivers have decreased markedly over the last two decades, being halved between 1992 and 2009 (52% decrease). Also average lake phosphorus concentration decreased over the period 1992-2009 (by 22%), the major part of the decrease occurring in the first half of the period. The decrease in phosphorus concentrations reflects both improvement in wastewater treatment and reduction in phosphorus in detergents. • Overall, reductions in the levels of freshwater nutrients over the last two decades primarily reflect improvements in wastewater treatment. Emissions from agriculture continue to be a significant source.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Nutrients in freshwater