Nutrients

Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous compounds) come from agricultural activities, household wastewater and certain industries. Their input into the sea in abnormal quantities can cause substantial proliferation of algae which, as they break down, cover our beaches with foam. These processes are studied at MUMM using ecological models.

As part of OSPAR, commitments have been made to reduce the input of nutrients in the sea by 50% as of the reference year of 1985. MUMM coordinated the estimation and evaluation of these reductions.

The nitrogen input fell by only 20% between 1985 and the year 2000, while the target for phosphorous reductions was met in full (a fall of almost 60%). In both cases, it is mainly industrial sources that have fallen. Remarkable reductions in domestic input have also been achieved, mainly as regards phosphorous. However, agricultural sources of nitrogen have risen.

Evolution of the Nitrogen input (in tons) during the 1985-2000 period


Evolution of the Phosphor input (in tons) during the 1985-2000 period

In 1998 OSPAR defined its strategy for the fight again eutrophication, the aim of which is to achieve and maintain a healthy marine environment where the phenomena of eutrophication no longer occur. Application of this strategy is linked to the "Common Procedure" used to determine the eutrophisation status of the maritime zone. MUMM participated to studies which permitted the definition at the end of 2001 of a set of criteria, valid for the whole OSPAR zone, allowing to pinpoint zones which are affected, potentially affected, or not affected by eutrophisation. During the course of 2002, Belgium applied these criteria and submitted a report to OSPAR. This work was carried out by MUMM with the support of a project financed by the Belgian Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs. The definition and setting up of these criteria by and for all OSPAR member states allows for a harmonised and global vision of the scale and distribution of maritime zones affected by eutrophisation. This common evaluation is also on the agenda of the Ministerial-level OSPAR meeting of June 2003.

 Chemical substances

 Radioactive substances