Regional Changes in Nutrient Fluxes of European Surface Waters from 1990 to Today
48 Pages Posted: 5 Aug 2022
Abstract
Nutrient emissions and fate in European fresh and marine waters from 1990 to 2018 were quantified with the conceptual model GREEN to assess the impact of efforts on curbing nutrient pollution in European regions. In the first two decades, i.e. in the 1990s and through the start of the new millennium, nutrient emissions to waters decreased significantly, and nutrient pollution in freshwaters and to the sea largely improved in all regions, although at different pace. However, around 2008-2010 trends in nutrient emissions changed, marking an increase in the last decade, particularly from agricultural diffuse sources. In some regions, current nutrient emissions to waters are close to those estimated at the beginning of the 1990s. At the end of the study period, nutrient concentrations in freshwaters remain above thresholds congruent with good ecological status of water bodies in most downstream reaches. European policies tackling point sources are close to reach their maximum impact. In the face of this approaching ceiling, sustainable nutrient management on agricultural land becomes pivotal for effective nutrient control in river basins. The regional approach highlights differences across Europe that may provide tailored opportunities to plan effective strategies for achieving environmental targets.
Keywords: Nutrient pollution, water quality, Nitrogen, phosphorus, Water Framework Directive, EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive
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