Indicator Fact Sheet

Ammonium concentrations in rivers

Indicator Fact Sheet

Prod-ID: IND-263-en

Also known as:

Topics: Water and marine environment

This page was archived on 08 May 2015 with reason: Other (No set and old)

Assessment made on 01 Jan 2001

Generic metadata

Classification

Topics:

Water and marine environment

DPSIR: State

Identification

Indicator codes

Contents

Policy issue: Are nutrient policies resulting in cleaner rivers?

Figures

Total ammonium concentrations in different sized European rivers

Key assessment

Ammonium levels have fallen in European rivers of all sizes since 1990. The largest rivers show the highest concentrations, reflecting the fact that the main sources of ammonium - sewage treatment plants - are not usually located on small rivers.

The fall is directly attributable to improvements in these plants, although levels are still above the 'natural', or background level.

The United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, and France saw the lowest concentrations at their monitoring stations, with Austria and Belgium at the other end of the scale.