Overview of eutrophication indicators to assess environmental status within the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Abstract

In 2009, following approval of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), the European Commission (EC) created task groups to develop guidance for eleven quality descriptors that form the basis for evaluating ecosystem function. The objective was to provide European countries with practical guidelines for implementing the MSFD, and to produce a Commission Decision that encapsulated key points of the work in a legal framework. This paper presents a review of work carried out by the eutrophication task group, and reports our main findings to the scientific community. On the basis of an operational, management-oriented definition, we discuss the main methodologies that could be used for coastal and marine eutrophication assessment. Emphasis is placed on integrated approaches that account for physico-chemical and biological components, and combine both pelagic and benthic symptoms of eutrophication, in keeping with the holistic nature of the MSFD. We highlight general features that any marine eutrophication model should possess, rather than making specific recommendations. European seas range from highly eutrophic systems such as the Baltic to nutrient-poor environments such as the Aegean Sea. From a Highlights ► Eutrophication guidance for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). ► Operational, management-oriented definition of eutrophication. ► Integrated assessment of physico-chemical and biological components. ► Assessment models combine both pelagic and benthic symptoms of eutrophication. ► Innovative approaches required for meaningful monitoring and assessment.

WACODI: A generic algorithm to derive the intrinsic color of natural waters from digital images

“…For instance, the introduction of an excess of nutrients originating from fertilisers used in agriculture can cause algal proliferations (Anderson et al 2002;Heisler et al 2008) that affect the color and clarity of the water. This phenomenon is known as eutrophication, which is a major environmental issue across Europe (Bøgestrand et al 2005;Ferreira et al 2011). To determine if a change in color is due to a particular anthropogenic activity, it is important to collect long-term data on the color and clarity of water bodies (British Columbia Ministry of Environment 1999).…”

Water research in Germany: from the reconstruction of the Roman Rhine to a risk assessment for aquatic neophytes

“…Today, diffuse emissions from agriculture are a key source of nutrients in most receiving Environ Earth Sci (2017) 76:549 Page 5 of 16 549 water bodies (Pfannerstill et al 2012). Moreover, high nutrient loads transported into coastal waters impede the successful implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive by Germany (Borchardt et al 2012;Ferreira et al 2011). Heavy metals are sometimes still problematic in water bodies affected by heavily industrialized and mining areas.…”

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“…Some organisms (e.g. Alexandrium) can be toxic and in high biomass (Ferreira et al, 2011). Some non-toxic species caused high biomass (HB) blooms are also classified as harmful, because their occurrence caused water discoloration and anoxic harmful conditions to the ecosystem, which lead to economic problems due to loss to fisheries and tourism (Smayda, 1997).…”