Table 2.1 Eutrophication objectives of the four RSCs and policy questions of the EEA in parallel to the corresponding criteria of MSFD for the GES Descriptor D5 ΜSFD OSPAR HELCOM UNEP/MAP BSC EEA D5: Human‐induced eutrophication is minimised, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algae blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters. Strategic objective: To combat eutrophication in the OSPAR maritime area, with the ultimate aim to achieve and maintain a healthy marine environment where anthropogenic eutrophication does not occur. Strategic goal: A Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication EQ5: Human-induced eutrophication is prevented, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms, and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters BSSAP 3: Reduce eutrophication 5 Criteria1 Ecological Quality Objectives (EcoQO)2 Ecological objectives3 Proposed operational objectives 4 Key policy questions6 5.1 Nutrients level Winter DIN and/or DIP should remain below elevated levels, defined as concentration > 50% above salinity related and/or natural background concentrations; Concentrations of nutrients close to natural levels 5.1 Human introduction of nutrients in the marine environment is not conducive to eutrophication Are nutrient concentrations in our surface waters decreasing? 5.2 Direct effects of nutrient enrichment Maximum and mean region-specific chlorophyll a concentrations during the growing season should remain below region-specific elevated levels, defined as concentrations > 50% above the spatial (offshore) and/or historical background concentration; 5.2 Direct effects of nutrient over-enrichment are prevented Is eutrophication in European surface waters decreasing? Region/area-specific phytoplankton eutrophication indicator species should remain below respective nuisance and/or toxic elevated levels (and increased bloom duration); Natural level of algal blooms specific EcoQO
5.1.1 Nutrients concentration in the water column Winter nutrient concentrations Concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen Concentration of key nutrients in the water column NO3+NO2 CSI021-Nutrients in transitional, coastal and marine waters Concentration of dissolved inorganic phosphorus PO4 5.1.2 Nutrient ratios (silica, nitrogen and phosphorus), where appropriate 5.2.1 Chlorophyll concentration in the water column Chlorophyll concentrations Concentration of chlorophyll a Chlorophyll-a concentration in the water column Chlorophyll-a CSI023 -Chlorophyll in transitional, coastal and marine waters 5.2.2 Water transparency related to increase in suspended algae, where relevant Water transparency (Secchi depth) 5.2.3 Abundance of opportunistic macroalgae Considered and adopted by the CBD AG (Advisory Group on Conservation of Biodiversity) in 20137 5.2.4 Species shift in floristic composition such as diatom to flagellate ratio, benthic to pelagic shifts, as well as bloom events of nuisance/toxic algal blooms (e.g. cyanobacteria) caused by human activities Species shift/indicator species: Nuisance species Phaeocystis Considered and adopted by the CBD AG (Advisory Group on Conservation of Biodiversity) in 20137
Table 2.7 Parameters relevant to MSFD indicator 5.2.4: Frequency of reporting to the RSCs by CP and frequency of use by MS for MSFD reporting Indicator 5.2.4 Pelagic shift Phytoplankton blooms Toxic algae % of Dinoflagellates Phytoplankton quality Phycocyanin Eutro_ plankt_index Benthic shift Cyanobact blooms OSPAR MSFD art 8,9, 10 * X X x x x x HELCOM MSFD art 8,9, 10 * X x x x x x UNEP/MAp MSFD art 8,9, 10 * X X x x BSC X MSFD art 8,9, 10 * X X x WFD X EEA * Palialexis et al. 2014 Frequency 100-81% 80-61% 60-41% 40-21% 20-0% Table 2.8 Parameters relevant to MSFD indicator 5.3.1: Frequency of reporting to the RSCs by CP and frequency of use by MS for MSFD reporting Indicator 5.3.1 Perennial seaweeds Phytobenthos distribution Seagrasses distribution Macroalgae abundance MM Skew index Macroalgae condition OSPAR MSFD art 8,9, 10 * X x x HELCOM MSFD art 8,9, 10 * X x x x
south-western Norway and in the Moray Firth Concentrations of organochlorines in the eggs of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) and Eurasian Oystercatcher breeding adjacent to the eight industrialised estuaries, should not exceed set values. Radioactivity at pre-Chernobyl level 8.2 Effects of contaminants The proportion of oiled common guillemots should be 10% or less of the total found dead or dying in all areas of the North Sea. Viable Populations of species 9.2 Effects of released contaminants are minimized The average level of imposex(development of male characteristics by females) in female dog whelks should be consistent with specified levels. Healthy wildlife )
Radioactive substances: Caesium-137 in fish and surface waters 8.2.1 Levels of pollution effects on the ecosystem components concerned, having regard to the selected biological processes and taxonomic groups where a cause/effect relationship has been established and needs to be monitored Imposex/intersex Tributyltin (TBT) and imposex Level of pollution effects of key contaminants where a cause and effect relationship has been established Externally visible fish diseases Fish diseases – a fish stress indicator Lysosomal stability (LMS) Lysosomal Membrane Stability – a toxic stress indicator Bile metabolites (of PAHs) Polyaromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites: US EPA 16 PAHs / selected metabolites. Micronuclei (MN) Micronuclei test – a genotoxicity indicator EROD
Eelpout and amphipod embryo malformations 8.2.2 Occurrence, origin (where possible), extent of significant acute pollution events (e.g. slicks from oil and oil products) and their impact on biota physically affected by this pollution Oiled birds Number of waterbirds being oiled annually (biodiversity core indicator) Occurrence, origin (where possible), extent of significant acute pollution events (e.g. slicks from oil, oil products and hazardous substances) and their impact on biota affected by this pollution Illegal discharges of oil at sea Accidental oil spills from shipping Shipping density EN14 Discharge of oil from refineries and offshore installations7 EN15 Accidental oil spills from marine shipping7 9.1.1 Actual levels of contaminants that have been detected and number of contaminants which have exceeded maximum regulatory levels HELCOM core indicators to assess concentrations against specific limit levels; substances are Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, dl-PCBs, dioxins, and Actual levels of contaminants that have been detected and number of contaminants which have exceeded maximum regulatory levels in commonly consumed seafood 9.1.2 Frequency of regulatory levels being exceeded Actual levels of contaminants that have been detected and number of contaminants which have exceeded maximum
I PAHs in biota* Polyaromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites: US EPA 16 PAHs / selected metabolites. I PAHs in sediments I Organotin concentrations in biota Tributyltin (TBT) and imposex I Organotin in sediments I PBDE in biota Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDE): BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154 I PBDE in sediments I HCB concentrations in biota I HCB concentrations in sediments I HCBD concentrations in biota I HCBD concentrations in sediments I (HBCD) I Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) I Diclofenac, EE2 (+E1, E2, E3 + in vitro yeast essay I Radioactive substances: Caesium-137 in fi sh and surface waters I Tributyltin (TBT) and imposex 9.2.1 Level of pollution