Indicator Fact Sheet

Phosphorus concentrations in rivers

Indicator Fact Sheet

Prod-ID: IND-8-en

Also known as:

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Topics: Water and marine environment

This page was archived on 23 Feb 2015 with reason: Other (New version data-and-maps/indicators/nutrients-in-freshwater/nutrients-in-freshwater-assessment-published-6 was published)

Assessment made on 01 Jan 2001

Generic metadata

Classification

Topics:

Water and marine environment

DPSIR: State

Identification

Indicator codes

Contents

Policy issue: Are phosphorus concentrations in our rivers falling?

Figures

Total phosphorus concentrations in different sized European rivers

Key assessment

Phosphorus concentrations have fallen in all types of rivers in Europe. The lowest values are found in countries with low populations and high levels of sewage treatment, such as Sweden and Finland, while the highest levels are found in Belgium.

Phosphorus levels share some of the same characteristics as nitrate pollution - the highest levels are found in smaller rivers, for example, while phosphorus levels are higher in rivers with catchment areas dominated by agriculture. On the other hand, phosphorus levels are also high in rivers draining areas with large urban populations.