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Nutrient enrichment and eutrophication in Europe's seas

Publication Created 21 Oct 2019 Published 11 Dec 2019
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This assessment explores whether Europe has been able to reverse eutrophication trends in its regional seas. The assessment is based on publicly available monitoring data, primarily collected in the context of the Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Regional Sea Conventions.
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Publication Created 21 Oct 2019 Published 11 Dec 2019
EEA Report No 14/2019
This assessment explores whether Europe has been able to reverse eutrophication trends in its regional seas. The assessment is based on publicly available monitoring data, primarily collected in the context of the Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Regional Sea Conventions.

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The value of long-term time data to inform for the future The chart shows the average Eutrophication Ratio for the entire Baltic for each year from 1900 to 2200, as well as a 5-year moving average. The eutrophication ratio is calculated by the HEAT tool. A value above 1 indicates that there is a Eutrophic status. A value below 1 indicate a good (non-eutrophic status).
HEAT+ classifications of 'eutrophication status' in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ based classifications of 'direct effects' of eutrophication Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ classifications of 'eutrophication status' in the North Sea and the Celtic Seas Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ classifications of 'eutrophication' status in the Baltic Sea Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ classifications of 'eutrophication status' in the Western Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Coast Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ based classification of 'nutrient concentration levels' Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ classifications of 'eutrophication status' in the Cental- and the Eastern Mediterranean Seas Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ based classifications of 'indirect effects' of eutrophication Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
HEAT+ classifications of 'eutrophication status' in the Black Sea Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
Integrated HEAT+ based classifications of 'eutrophication status' Results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’.
Long-term trends in eutrophication in the Baltic Sea The chart shows the annual classified Eutrophication status in each of 9 basins of the Baltic Sea over the period from 1901 to 2012. The status is assigned one of five classes "High", "Good", "Moderate", "Poor" or "Bad", depending on the Eutrophcation Ratio calculated by the HEAT tool. See more details in Andersen et al. (2015) Biol. Rev. 1 doi: 10.1111/brv.12221

News and articles

Europe’s seas face uncertain future if urgent, coherent action not taken Faced with the increased threats posed by overexploitation of marine resources, pollution and climate change, urgent action is needed to bring Europe’s seas back to good condition. According to the European Environment Agency’s report on Europe’s marine ecosystems, published today, we are running out of time to reverse decades of neglect and misuse.
Eutrophication remains a major problem for Europe’s seas despite some progress The shared vision for Europe’s seas is a healthy marine environment where human-induced eutrophication is minimised. However, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) assessment, published today, shows that eutrophication still remains a large scale problem in some of Europe’s regionals seas. The assessment shows some positive effects from better nutrient management but the overall target of healthy seas will not be met everywhere by 2020.
Ensuring clean waters for people and nature Water covers more than 70 % of the Earth’s surface and is essential to all life on our planet. Of all the Earth’s water, 96.5 % is contained within the oceans as salt water, whereas the remaining 3.5 % is freshwater — lakes, rivers, groundwater and ice. Good management of this limited and precious resource is indispensable for the well-being of people and nature.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/nutrient-enrichment-and-eutrophication-in or scan the QR code.

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