EMODnet Chemistry MSFD Board of Experts Eutrophication Products Summary 04/12 2017

Mini Workshop on Eutrophication Focussed on assessment experts within RSC machinery Used pre-questionnaire to frame questions on current EMODnet Chemistry product suite Looked for specific feedback on the gaps in the products

Mini Workshop on Eutrophication 27th November Online

Eutrophication: parameters 1) Fitness of parameters for Eutrophication assessment a. In the Baltic area, Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN), Hydrogen Sulphide (as part of oxygen parameter) and Oxygen saturation are also used and desirable. b. The consistency of the selected parameters between sea regions was questioned, as it was noted that for example in some regions Nitrites and Nitrates were offered separately, and in some only as combined or only one of these.

Eutrophication: Spatial Resolution 2) Spatial Resolution (Extent) of data products a. A general question was raised on the alignment of the sea regions to the MSFD process, and also on the overlap between sea regions. In this new phase, the official MSFD regions shape files will be applied by all regional product leaders, but with a buffer of 1 degree to overlap between the sea regions for greater harmonization and to avoid edge effects of the products. b. The need of products for marine sub-regions was also pointed out, as possible future implementation

Eutrophication: Vertical resolution a. (HELCOM, OSPAR) Need an integrated surface layer (0-10 metres) which would combine the discrete depths 0, 5 and 10 metres. It would probably vary in other regions and so it should be defined by each regional product leader. b. In the Baltic, this would also be helpful for integrated Chlorophyll (one layer rather than split as it is now) c. For the Bottom depth layer – there was some discussion on the derivation of the definition of what constitutes a bottom layer (maybe within 10% of bottom depth)

Eutrophication: Temporal resolution 4) Temporal resolution (currently 10 year) a. Sweden used the 10 year dataset reference in their national Art 8 reporting for MSFD, but would prefer a 6 year running window b. It was noted that seasons are to be regionally specific (as they are in the regional products as they stand) c. Both OSPAR and HELCOM noted that some statisticians are suggesting to use annual products, rather than seasonal. d. However, for MSFD – need to use WFD definitions for harmonization i.e. productive vs non-productive (how specified for each region is this?) e. Given the above, both annual and seasonal products are relevant (and needed)

Eutrophication: Dynamic Time series 5) Usefulness of Dynamic Time series OSPAR – useful for understanding variability of data 6) Meta data/Discovery information a. OSPAR – DIVA needs more explaining i.e. what DIVA is doing without having to be an expert in DIVA b. It was noted that some experts were referencing EMODnet Chemistry portal generically, but were not considering the information provided in the metadata catalogue, therefore, there could be a greater use this type of resource

Eutrophication: Other ideas/comments 7) Other ideas and comments a. HELCOM/SWE/– Currently they would not be able to use the products directly for next assessment, without the availability of salinity fields, following discussion: i. OSPAR would prefer to have salinity as a separate data layer rather than integrated into a combined product; ii. It is suggested to use SeaDataNet products for regional salinity (although products are currently available at different temporal resolution in comparison with EMODnet Chemistry and might have different regional boundary definitions). Coordination between EMODnet Chemistry and SeaDatanet product leaders is needed.

Eutrophication: Other ideas/comments 7) Other ideas and comments b. On the question regarding coastline and river/estuarine products: i. Even though it was mentioned that a distinction between coastal and open waters could be useful, the participants agreed that, at the moment, it is not relevant at country level, to have distinctive products for open and coastal waters if the products are not used directly by WFD/RBD plans ii. General consensus that WFD is the main reference for assessments on the near coastal/riverine systems iii. It was agreed to follow the definition of coastal areas of the WFD (coastal waters: “1nm on the seaward side from the nearest point of the baseline from which the breadth of territorial waters is measured”). iv. It was, nevertheless, pointed out that, considering salinity fields, the continental effects of river inputs can extend beyond 1 nm and EMODnet can provide information on this, using SeaDataNet together with EMODnet Chemistry products.

Mini Workshop on Eutrophication Workshop session https://youtu.be/lq0qsYqK7rA Newspiece on Web http://www.emodnet-chemistry.eu/promotion/events/MSFD_board_of_experts_for_EMODnet_Chemistry-Eutrophication_mini-workshop