-
Chlorophyll in transitional, coastal and marine waters (CSI 023) - Assessment published Jan 2009
-
The highest summer chlorophyll-a concentrations were observed in coastal areas and estuaries and are at many locations associated with nutrient inputs from major rivers. Of the 413 stations reported to the EEA in 2005 with more than 5 years of observations, decreasing trends in summer chlorophyll-a concentrations were found at 7% of stations, increasing trends were found at 8% of stations, and the majority of stations (85%) indicate no statistically significant change in concentration. The stations with descreasing trends are located either in the Baltic Sea or along the coast of Italy.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Chlorophyll in transitional, coastal and marine waters
-
Chlorophyll in transitional, coastal and marine waters (CSI 023) - Assessment published Jul 2011
-
In 2008, the highest summer chlorophyll-a concentrations were observed in coastal areas and estuaries where nutrient concentrations are high, namely in the Gulf of Riga, the Gulf of Finland and along the coast of France and Belgium. Although nutrient concentrations in some European sea areas decreased from 1985 to 2008 (see Core Set Indicator 21), these changes were not clearly reflected in chlorophyll-a concentrations: of the 546 stations reported to the EEA the majority of the stations (89%) indicated no statistically significant change. Changes were detected mainly in Finnish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish and Italian coastal waters. At the Finnish and Swedish monitoring stations chlorophyll-a concentrations showed both decreasing and increasing trends, whereas in Italy, Netherlands and Norway concentrations were mainly decreasing. An analysis of changes based on satellite imagery show significantly increasing trends of ocean colour (equivalent to chl-a)along the Mediterranean coast, whereas trends are significantly decreasing in large parts of the central Mediterranean and Black Seas. It also shows significantly increasing trends in the Baltic Sea, but here the analysis is less certain.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Chlorophyll in transitional, coastal and marine waters
-
Freshwater quality (SEBI 016) - Assessment published May 2010
-
Pollution of rivers with organic matter and ammonium is decreasing as are the levels of other anthropogenic nutrients in freshwater generally (rivers, lakes and groundwater). This reduces stress on freshwater biodiversity and improves ecological status.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Freshwater quality
-
Gross nutrient balance (CSI 025) - Assessment published Nov 2005
-
At EU-15 level the gross nitrogen balance in 2000 was calculated to be 55 kg/ha, which is 16% lower than the balance estimate in 1990, which was 66 kg/ha. In 2000 the gross nitrogen balance ranged from 37 kg/ha (Italy) to 226 kg/ha (the Netherlands). All national gross nitrogen balances show a decline in estimates of the gross nitrogen balance (kg/ha) between 1990 and 2000, apart from Ireland (22% increase) and Spain (47% increase). The following Member States showed organic fertiliser application rates greater than the threshold of 170 kg/ha specified by the Nitrates Directive in 2000: the Netherlands (206 kg/ha) and Belgium (204 kg/ha). The general decline in nitrogen balance surpluses is due to a small decrease in nitrogen input rates (-1.0%) and a significant increase in nitrogen output rates (10%).
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Gross nutrient balance
-
Nutrients in freshwater (CSI 020) - Assessment published Nov 2005
-
Concentrations of phosphorus in European rivers and lakes generally decreased during the 1990s, reflecting the general improvement in wastewater treatment over this period. However, the decrease was not sufficient to halt eutrophication. There was a small decrease in nitrate concentrations in some European rivers during the 1990s. The decrease was less than for phosphorus because of limited success with measures to reduce agricultural inputs of nitrate. Nitrate concentrations in Europe's groundwaters have remained constant and are high in some regions, threatening drinking water abstractions.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Nutrients in freshwater
-
Nutrients in freshwater (CSI 020) - Assessment published Jan 2009
-
Nitrate concentrations in Europe's groundwaters increased in the first half of 1990s and have then remained relatively constant. The average nitrate concentration in European rivers has decreased approximately 10 % since 1998 from 2.8 to 2.5 mg N/l, reflecting the effect of measures to reduce agricultural inputs of nitrate. Nitrate levels in lakes are in general much lower than in rivers, but also in lakes there has been a 15 % reduction in the average nitrate concentration. Phosphorus concentrations in European rivers and lakes generally decreased during the last 14 years, reflecting the general improvement in wastewater treatment and reduced phosphate content of detergents over this period.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Nutrients in freshwater
-
Nutrients in transitional, coastal and marine waters (CSI 021) - Assessment published Nov 2005
-
Phosphate concentrations in some coastal sea areas of the Baltic and North Seas have decreased over recent years, but they have remained stable in the Celtic Sea and increased in some Italian coastal areas. Nitrate concentrations have generally remained stable over recent years in the Baltic, North and Celtic Seas but have increased in some Italian coastal areas.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Nutrients in transitional, coastal and marine waters
-
Oxygen consuming substances in rivers (CSI 019) - Assessment published Nov 2005
-
Concentrations of organic matter and ammonium generally fell at 50% of stations on European rivers during the 1990s, reflecting improvements in wastewater treatment. However, there were increasing trends at 10% of the stations over the same period. Northern European rivers have the lowest concentrations of oxygen-consuming substances measured as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) but concentrations are higher in rivers in some of the new EU Member States and Accession countries where wastewater treatment is not so advanced. Ammonium concentrations in many rivers in EU Member States and Accession countries are still far above background levels.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Oxygen consuming substances in rivers
-
Oxygen consuming substances in rivers (CSI 019) - Assessment published Jan 2009
-
Concentrations of BOD and total ammonium have decreased in European rivers in the period 1992 to 2006, corresponding to the general improvement in wastewater treatment (Fig. 1). EEA water quality indicators have up to now presented European and regional overviews and country comparison. However, water quality data at national level may not be relevant or sufficient for some countries, and EEA will in the coming years change its indicators to reflect concentration levels and trends at River Basin District (RBD) level to duly reflect local and regional differences in water quality. See also WISE interactive maps: Mean annual BOD in rivers and Mean annual Total Ammonium in rivers
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Oxygen consuming substances in rivers
-
Urban waste water treatment (CSI 024) - Assessment published Nov 2005
-
Wastewater treatment in all parts of Europe has improved significantly since the 1980s, however the percentage of the population connected to wastewater treatment in southern and eastern Europe and the Accession countries is relatively low.
Located in
Data and maps
›
Indicators
›
Urban waste water treatment
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube channel
RSS Feeds
Write to us
Call us
Upcoming environmental events around the world
