Marine environment of Baltic Sea improving
HelcomAccording to the latest research the eutrophication, or the “plankton boom” of the Baltic Sea has slowly decreased in the 21st century. The amount of detrimental substances such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are severely detrimental to the Baltic Sea’s marine environment, has declined for the first time since the 1970s. These good news were published in Svenska Dagbladet newspaper.
The calculations are based on research carried out by Professor Fredrik Wulff from the University of Stockholm. The research was commissioned by Helcom, the Helsinki Commission, which is dedicated to protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.
The depletion of oxygen in the Baltic Sea is a serious problem, and the lack of oxygen in some parts of the sea floor will persist for several years. The annual overload of hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea has been estimated to be up to 30 000 tons of phosphorus and 641 000 tons of nitrogen. However, the estimation holds that the amounts of these substances let into the sea have decreased. Phosphorus load has been estimated to be about 3000 tons and nitrogen 50 000 tons less annually.
The decrease of these hazardous substances has been aided by the construction of brand new purification plants in Poland and the Baltic countries. Also the more improved handling of fertilizers in the agriculture of Denmark and Sweden has its part to play in the improved conditions of the Baltic Sea.
Professor Wulff reminds us however, that most of the conservation work is yet to take place. The wider impact of the change will only be visible in 30 – 50 years’ time.
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