Long-term data reflect nitrogen pollution in Estonian rivers
Laen...
Kuupäev
2022
Kättesaadav alates
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
IWA Publishing
Abstrakt
We analysed long-term (1992–2020) changes in fertiliser use, wastewater treatment, and river water nutrient status in Estonia (N-E Europe) in
the context of changing socio-economic situations and legislation. We hypothesised that improved regulation of fertiliser usage and wastewater
treatment are reflected as declining riverine nutrient concentrations, with the largest relative improvements occurring in catchments
with initially high proportions of point source loading. We analysed nutrient dynamics in 16 rivers differing by catchment land use, population
and livestock densities. Data on fertiliser use and wastewater treatment originated from the Statistics Estonia database, and riverine nutrient
concentrations from the State Environmental Monitoring Database. We clustered the rivers by their catchment properties and analysed
trends in their nutrient status. Point source nutrient loading reductions explained most of the decline in riverine nutrient concentrations,
whereas application of mineral fertilisers has increased, hindering efforts to reach water quality and nutrient load targets set by the EU
Water Framework Directive and the Baltic Sea Action Plan. Highest nitrogen concentrations and strongest increasing trends were found
in rivers within the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, indicating violation of the EU Nitrates Directive. To comply with these directives, resource managers
must address non-point source nutrient loading from river watersheds.
This study was funded by the Estonian Research Council grants PRG709 and PRG1167, by the European Regional Development Fund through the Estonian University of Life Sciences ASTRA project ‘Value-chain based bio-economy’. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 951963. The Estonian Ministry of Environment and the Estonian Environment Agency supported data collection in the national monitoring programme.
This study was funded by the Estonian Research Council grants PRG709 and PRG1167, by the European Regional Development Fund through the Estonian University of Life Sciences ASTRA project ‘Value-chain based bio-economy’. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 951963. The Estonian Ministry of Environment and the Estonian Environment Agency supported data collection in the national monitoring programme.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
manure, mineral fertilisers, organic fertilisers, point and non-point sources, wastewater treatment, articles