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Study on the Baltic Sea’s internal nutrient storages is in progress

The Ministry of the Environment of Finland has commissioned a study regarding internal nutrient storages in the Baltic Sea and their effects on eutrophication. BSAG will participate in making the study as part of international consortium led by Vahanen Environment Oy. The report also examines remedial measures to reduce the eutrophication effects of internal nutrients. BSAG has followed discussions and research dealing with internal nutrient loads and their effects on eutrophication since it was founded in 2008.

Internal nutrient storages in the Baltic Sea are nutrients from previous external loading that are released from sediments into the water due to anoxic conditions in sea bottom, thus increasing eutrophication of the Baltic Sea.

“It is by no means simple to get hold of internal nutrient loads”, BSAG’s representative Mathias Bergman states. “However, it’s clear that they need to be examined, while we also do everything to minimize external nutrient emissions from land.”

The study is part of executing Finland’s Programme of Measures of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which aims to achieve good conditions in the Baltic Sea by the year 2020. New methods for mitigating eutrophication are needed as global warming and changes in precipitation will make achieving the goals yet more difficult.

The study includes a roadmap of measures aiding the recovery of the Baltic Sea and produces information especially for decision makers and for possible implementers of remedial measures.

In addition to the consortium led by Vahanen Environment Oy, experts from Centrum Balticum will examine policies, legislation, international agreements and institutional aspects of implementing remedial measures for internal nutrient load.

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