OSPAR eutrophication assessment

Introduction

Coastal eutrophication is a growing marine environmental problem in Europe and the need for more effective monitoring and control measures is increasing. In 1997 the OSPAR Commission adopted the Common Procedure for the identification of the Eutrophication Status of the maritime area. OSPAR committed all members to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen inputs into the maritime areas and to combat eutrophication to achieve a healthy environment where eutrophication does not occur. The Common Procedure includes the main parameters involved in eutrophication processes which are differentiated in four categories of qualitative assessment criteria for application in the Comprehensive Procedure:

• Category I: Nutrient enrichment
• Category II: Direct effects of nutrient enrichment
• Category III: Indirect effects of nutrient enrichment
• Category IV: Other effects of nutrient enrichment

Ecological Quality Objectives (EcoQOs)

Ecological Quality Objectives are a tool to support the application of the ecosystem approach to the management of human activities affecting the marine environment and provide a means to define the desired quality of the marine environment. The specific EcoQOs correspond to a selection of assessment parameters and their assessment levels as applied under the Common Procedure.

References

1. OSPAR Commission, Backrgound Document: Ecological Quality Objectives for the Greater North Sea with Regard to Nutrients and Eutrophication Effects [1]