HELCOM and the Baltic Sea Antti Räike Finnish Environment Institute

The most serious threats Eutrophication Contaminants Transport of oil - Intensively studied - Poorly known - Expanding 15.5.2019

Indicator of eutrophication: Chlorophyll a concentration Source: JRC 15.5.2019

Long term trends of riverine nutrient fluxes into the Archipelago Sea Phosphorus Nitrogen Phosphorus Nitrogen 15.5.2019

HELCOM 50% reduction goal Ministerial declaration in 1988 Anthropogenic loading should be reduced by 50% from 1987 levels by the year 1995 Situation in 2000 Point source loads have substantially decreased Nutrient losses from agriculture Especially phosphorus losses remain in a high level More specific targets have been elaborated 15.5.2019

HELCOM BREMEN DECLARATION Ministerial declaration in 2003 One of the main sources of the still excessive inputs of nutrients are: Nitrogen from agriculture… …also losses of phosphorus give rise to concern in several countries Organic farming can contribute to marine environment protection. Therefore the promotion of organic farming in addition to the contribution of agro-environmental measures can help to reduce negative impacts from agricultural sources. 15.5.2019

COMBINE PLC Air Water 15.5.2019

HELCOM LAND Responsible for reducing pollution from all sources on land within the Baltic Seas catchment area Propose actions and promote investment activities in order to reduce emissions and discharges to the Baltic Sea Area Harmonize HELCOM recommendations in the field of land based pollution with EU and other relevant organizations Follow up the implementation of HELCOM recommendations (six recommendations closely linked to agriculture) 15.5.2019

HELCOM MONAS Responsible for monitoring of open sea areas and coastal waters (COMBINE) Identify and quantify the anthropogenic discharges/losses of pollutants (PLC) Detect changes in loading and possible effects in marine environment Make periodic assessments and annual indicator reports 15.5.2019

The Baltic Sea Regional Project Managed by HELCOM and the Project Implementation Team Component 2. Land and Coastal Management Activities Increases awareness of environmental issues related to agriculture among farmers and communities Invests in and implements environmentally responsible farm management practices In the long-term, improves the economic welfare and standard of living within the farming community while reducing agricultural pollution 15.5.2019

Pollution load compilation (PLC) The aim is to get a comprehensive overview of the total amount of loading to the Baltic Sea Air and Water parts separately Based on monitoring data Parameters: nutrients, organic matter, heavy metals Riverine transport and direct point sources PLC Water (PLC-1 1987, PLC-2 1990, PLC-3 1995, PLC-4 2000) Next PLC in 2006 15.5.2019

PLC-4 Data collection in 2000 Report will be published in 2004 Whole BS catchment area included Also data on discharges/losses into freshwater Data requirements ‘exploded’ Source apportionment and retention of nutrients Quantify the major sources of loading 15.5.2019

Different source categories in PLC Water Point sources Municipalities Industry Fish farming Diffuse sources Agriculture (including managed forestry) Scattered dwellings Storm water overflows Atmospheric deposition (on lakes) Natural leaching 15.5.2019

Diffuse losses into freshwaters in 2002 P N Total load into freshwaters in 2002 Source: HELCOM PLC-4 15.5.2019

Important questions related to agriculture Total amount of losses Location of fields (retention) Seasonal timing of losses Bioavailability Time lag (e.g. Latvian rivers) Nutrient ratios (limiting nutrient) If P load decreases what happens to N ‘Stålnacke hypothesis’ 15.5.2019

Concluding remarks To reach the 50% reduction goal agriculture is in key position Organic farming is part of the solution More accurate estimates of losses needed 15.5.2019