scholarly journals Temporal Trends in Phosphorus Concentrations and Losses from Agricultural Monitoring Sites in Latvia

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-242
Author(s):  
Ieva Siksnane ◽  
Ainis Lagzdins

Abstract The Baltic Sea is the youngest sea on our planet, the environment of the sea is considered to be unique and fragile. It is affected by various human activities resulting in the impairment of water quality. Riverine nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loads are among the major causes of eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. This study examines temporal trends in water discharge, total phosphorus (TP) and orthophosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P) concentrations and losses from three agricultural runoff monitoring sites in Latvia including Berze, Mellupite, and Vienziemite. The annual datasets of TP and PO4-P concentrations and losses were tested for statistical trends using a nonparametric test - the Mann-Kendall trend test. The timeframe of this study was from 1995 until 2018. The results show a large variety of annual mean concentrations and losses of TP and PO4-P in the study period. No statistically significant trend was detected for TP losses. Meanwhile, statistically significant downward trends were observed for TP concentrations in four out of six study sites and in two study sites for PO4-P concentrations.

2009 ◽  
Vol 282 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarja Katri Ikäheimonen ◽  
Iisa Outola ◽  
Vesa-Pekka Vartti ◽  
Pekka Kotilainen

AMBIO ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1325-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alena Bartosova ◽  
René Capell ◽  
Jørgen E. Olesen ◽  
Mohamed Jabloun ◽  
Jens Christian Refsgaard ◽  
...  

Abstract The Baltic Sea is suffering from eutrophication caused by nutrient discharges from land to sea, and these loads might change in a changing climate. We show that the impact from climate change by mid-century is probably less than the direct impact of changing socioeconomic factors such as land use, agricultural practices, atmospheric deposition, and wastewater emissions. We compare results from dynamic modelling of nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea under projections of climate change and scenarios for shared socioeconomic pathways. Average nutrient loads are projected to increase by 8% and 14% for nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, in response to climate change scenarios. In contrast, changes in the socioeconomic drivers can lead to a decrease of 13% and 6% or an increase of 11% and 9% in nitrogen and phosphorus loads, respectively, depending on the pathway. This indicates that policy decisions still play a major role in climate adaptation and in managing eutrophication in the Baltic Sea region.


1973 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. S. ZEKTZER

The methods for quantitatively estimating ground-water discharge to the Baltic Sea and the possibilities of applying these methods to investigations of the role of ground water in the water and salt balances of the Baltic Sea are discussed. The combined hydrological and hydrogeological method, the hydrodynamic method, and the method of the average long-term water balance of recharge areas are recommended for general quantitative estimation of ground-water discharge to the sea. Data on the ground-water discharge to the Baltic Sea from the zone of intensive circulation (relatively shallow aquifers) within the U.S.S.R. are presented. Certain conclusions are drawn, and objectives of future investigations are mentioned.


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 342-354
Author(s):  
Michał Preisner ◽  
Marzena Smol ◽  
Dominika Szołdrowska

AbstractThe intensification of the Baltic Sea eutrophication is associated with the increase of anthropogenic nutrients loads, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus introduced into surface waters from a diffuse, point and natural background sources. Despite the observed decreasing trends in nutrient concentrations in some parts of the Baltic Sea, eutrophication-related indicators continue to deteriorate. This accelerates harmful algal blooms and dissolved oxygen deficits resulting in severe ecosystem disturbance. The paper presents trends, insights and effects of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC implementation in Poland based on the nutrient riverine loads from Polish territory with particular attention given to the development of municipal wastewater treatment plants under the National Wastewater Treatment Programme 2003–2016. Environmental effects of wastewater infrastructure modernisation are investigated by using available data on the changing nutrient concentrations in the coastal water in 3 basins (Gdansk Basin, Bornholm Basin and Eastern Gotland Basin) belonging to the Polish Exclusive Economic Zone within the Baltic Sea. The results show that the decreasing trend regarding phosphorus loads reduction from municipal effluents was achieved while a stable trend with temporary increases was achieved in terms of nitrogen loads. Moreover, the investigation provides information about the potential bioavailability of discharged effluents before and after the Directive implementation by including total and inorganic forms of nitrogen and phosphorus in the analysis.


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