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The Baltic A Young Sea Facing Big Problems ASU ETM428 – International Environmental Management Natalie Geiger 6/6/2012 The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 1 Introduction The Baltic Sea is one of the most unique bodies of water in the world. Considering it is only 10,000 years old, the Baltic is young biologically, geographically, and in terms of human beings. Not only does its distinctive shape and geographical boundaries make it fascinating, but the water in the sea itself, stands out amongst most others. Unfortunately, the past century has proven that, although the Baltic is an unconventional marine ecosystem, it cannot withstand the many environmental tribulations caused by humans. While there have been many advances in restoring the health of the Baltic Sea, there is still far to go. 1.0: A Sea of its Own One of the most interesting and visible characteristics of the Baltic Sea is that it is almost entirely enclosed by land, “only through the bottle neck of the narrow and shallow Danish straits is the Baltic connected to the rest of the marine world” (Anderson et al., 2010). There are nine nations that surround the Baltic: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, and Sweden, though its catchment area includes Belarus, the Czech Republic, Norway, Slovakia, and Ukraine (Knuuttila et al., 2011). The Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed sea of about 415 000 km2. Proceeding from the northern end, it includes the Bothnian Bay and the Bothnian Sea. At the southern end of the Bothnian Sea, the island of Aland divides the Aland Sea from the Archipelago Sea. The Gulf of Finland is the eastern arm of the Baltic Sea. The central portion of the Sea, known as the Baltic Proper, includes the Eastern and Western Gotland Seas. To the east and south are the Gulf of Riga, and the Gulf of The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 2 Gdansk. Moving to the west are the Bornholm and Arkona basins, followed by the Sound, the Belt Sea and the Kattegat (The Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme, 2010). There are about 16 million people that live near the coastline of the Baltic and roughly 85 million living in the Baltic’s catchment area. 1.1: Brackish Waters The Baltic Sea is “one of the world’s largest and most isolate bodies of brackish water” (Anderson et al., 2010). Brackish water is water that is composed of both seawater as well as freshwater, and “has more salinity than freshwater but not as much as seawater” (World Wildlife Foundation, 2012). The Baltic receives a large input of freshwater from the many rivers that it is connected to and receives all of its salt water from the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the fact that the Baltic is fed by not only seawater but freshwater, the result is stratification. Stratification is when “the heavier saline water from the North Sea sinks to form a bottom layer, while the fresher water diluted by rainfall and river water forms a layer on the surface” (Baltic Sea, 2010). Since the water is stratified, that means there is limited mixing; the freshwater and the seawater have a difficult time mixing because the seawater is so dense compared to the freshwater. The outcome of stratification and limited mixing: hypoxic and anoxic zones. Hypoxic zones have very little dissolved oxygen, whereas anoxic zones lack dissolved oxygen entirely, making it very difficult for marine life to survive. The only time the bottom layer is replenished with oxygen is during a saline pulse. The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 3 Although the Baltic Sea has a positive water balance, water normally also flows through the Danish straits into the Baltic Sea. This water, however, is a mixture of brackish water from the Baltic Sea and seawater from the North Sea, because the long, narrow and shallow Danish straits slow down the flow of water towards the Baltic Sea. Occasionally, however, oxygen rich, dense and salty North Sea surface water reaches the Baltic Sea. This occurrence is preceded by lower sea levels in the Southern Baltic Sea and a heavy storm of long duration from the west or south-west in Denmark (Alenius & Lumiaro). Saline pulses are unpredictable and infrequent, and do not necessarily reach to the most northerly and easterly parts of the Baltic , leaving “a residence time for full exchange of its water mass estimated at 25-30 years” (Andrushaitis & Thulin, 2003). 1.2: Animal and Plant Life The Baltic Sea is “characterized by having a lower biodiversity of plant and animal species than in more saline waters. The brackish water of the Baltic is too salty for most freshwater species and too fresh for most marine species” (Andrushaitis & Thulin, 2003). Despite these facts, the sea is “still full of many fascinating and even exotic creatures” not only in the water, but in the air as well (Telkanranta, 2006). The shores of and the sky above the Baltic are home to many different species of migrating birds. Swans, long-tailed ducks, white-tailed eagles, eiders, and scoters are just a few that can be seen. Another creature that can be found in the Baltic Sea is the highly intelligent porpoise. Most of the “Baltic Sea’s porpoises now live in Danish Waters, although they are sometimes seen off the German, Polish and Swedish coasts – The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 4 and occasionally even further north. There are thought to be about 600 porpoises in the Baltic today” (Telkanranta, 2006). Another species of large marine mammals that calls the Baltic home are seals. There are “three species of seals [living in the Baltic Sea]: the grey seal, the ringed seal, and the harbor seal” (Telkanranta, 2006). Grey seals can “be seen anywhere in the Baltic, but they are most common in more northerly waters. The harbor seal lives in the Danish Straits and around the coasts of southern Sweden. The two largest populations of the Baltic ringed seal live in the Bothnian Bay and in the Gulf of Riga” (Telkanranta, 2006). A number of other animal species are located in the Baltic: blue mussels, turbot, trout, flounder, cockles, pike, herring, sand goby, and bullhead to name a few. The location of each different species depends highly on the salinity content of the water. Freshwater species can be found in the more northern and eastern waters of the Baltic, where freshwater is much more abundant, than in the western waters where the salinity of the water is much greater. The Baltic Sea is not only full of a variety of animal species, but a large number of plant species as well. One of the key plant species in the Baltic is the eelgrass called bladderwrack. Bladderwrack “bushes provide shelter for a myriad of small animals, and just one square meter of the fronds of a healthy bush may harbor 20-30 visible species, plus many more microscopic creatures” (Telkanranta, 2006). There are also a large number of algae present in the Baltic, including both green algae near the surface of the water, and red algae deeper in the water. 2.0: Human Pressures Threatening the Baltic The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 5 Although there are many different contributing factors to the Baltic Sea’s health, the four main pressures greatly affecting the sea because of human interference are eutrophication, hazardous substances, maritime activities, and biodiversity (Baltic Sea Action Plan, 2010). 2.1: Excessive Nutrients Eutrophication is a “major problem in the Baltic Sea, caused by excessive inputs of nitrogen and phosphorous which mainly originate from inadequately treated sewage, agricultural run-off and airborne emissions from shipping and combustion processes” (Baltic Sea Action Plan, 2010). There are over 200 rivers that flow into the Baltic, the largest being the “Neva, Vistula, Duagava, Njemen/Nemunas, and Odra/Oder, supply[ing] most of the freshwater, and thereby also most of the nutrients to the system” (Lundberg, 2005). In the “year 2000, about 28,000 tons of phosphorus and 660,000 tons of nitrogen were brought to the Baltic by rivers, with the total nutrient load to the Baltic Sea [being approximately] 1,249,000 tons nitrogen and 56,000 tons phosphorus” (Lundberg, 2005). One of the most “prominent and direct effects [of eutrophication] is an increase in phytoplankton productivity and biomass, often ‘illustrated’ as chlorophyll-a concentrations” (Andersen et al., 2009). Over-stimulation of algal growth leads to a complex suite of interconnected biological and chemical responses that can severely degrade water quality and threaten human health and sustainability of living resources in the coastal zone. As algal biomass builds during blooms it forms aggregates that sink and fuel bacterial growth in bottom waters and sediments. Bacterial metabolism The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 6 consumes oxygen. If the rates of aeration of water by mixing are slower than bacterial metabolism, then bottom waters become hypoxic (low in oxygen) or anoxic (devoid of oxygen), creating conditions stressful or even lethal for marine invertebrates and fish (Cloern, Hogan & Krantz, 2007). 2.2: Toxic Contaminants Hazardous substances that are released into the sea can remain there for very long periods of time, and can make their way up the food-web. These substances “include contaminants such as dioxins, PCBs, TBT, PFOs, and heavy metals” (Baltic Sea Action Plan, 2010). Hazardous substances cause adverse effects in ecosystems, including health and reproductive problems in animals, especially top predators. Certain contaminants may be hazardous because of their effects on hormone and immune systems, as well as their toxicity, persistence and bio-accumulating properties. Some fish caught in the Baltic Sea, particularly herring and salmon, contain concentrations of hazardous substances that exceed maximum allowable levels for foodstuffs as defined by the EU (Baltic Sea Action Plan, 2010). Deformities in fish have also been documented due to the release of toxic chemicals into the Baltic Sea. For example, pike with deformed jaws have been found in the effluent area of a pulp and paper mill using chlorine for bleaching (Andrushaitis & Thulin, 2003). 2.3: Maritime Activities The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 7 With its connection to many European countries, the Baltic Sea is “one of the most intensely trafficked marine areas in the world” (Baltic Sea Action Plan, 2010). Navigation can be difficult for ships in the Baltic, not only because of its narrow straits and shallow waters, but also due to the fact that much of the sea is covered by ice during the winter. Therefore, the risk of shipping accidents is inevitable. The “main environmental effects of shipping and other activities at sea include air pollution, illegally deliberate and accidental discharges of oil, hazardous substances and other wastes, and the unintentional introduction of invasive alien organisms via ships’ ballast water or hulls” (Baltic Sea Action Plan, 2010). Each of these affects both the quality of water, as well as the plethora of life in the Baltic. 2.4: Negative Effects on Biodiversity The biodiversity in the Baltic Sea is greatly impacted by human activities. Exploitation of the multiple resources that the Baltic offers, as well as a disregard for the consequences, has significantly hindered the sea’s biodiversity. Eutrophication and hazardous substances have strong impacts on biodiversity. Some species are directly threatened by overfishing or the destruction of their habitats by human activities such as dredging and construction along shores. Intensified shipping adds to existing environmental stress by potentially introducing invasive non-native species, minor oil spills, and the increasing probability of major oil spills that could be highly destructive for many species and habitats. Together with the predicted impacts of global warming, all of these The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 8 pressures increasingly threaten the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea (Baltic Sea Action Plan, 2010). 3.0: The Conventions of 1974 and 1992 It was quickly recognized that the Baltic Sea was one of a kind, and therefore needed to be managed differently. For the first time, “all the sources of pollution around an entire sea were made subject to a single convention, signed in 1974 by the then seven Baltic Coastal States [and] entered into force on May 3rd, 1980” (About HELCOM, 2012). A new Convention, in “light of political changes and developments in international environmental and maritime law”, was signed by all the states bordering the Baltic, and the European community, in 1992 and was entered into force in 2000 (The Helsinki Convention, 2008). 3.1: HELCOM The Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), whose “main goal is to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, and to restore and safeguard its ecological balance” is the governing body of the Convention (About HELCOM, 2012). HELCOM’s Contracting Parties are the nine countries that surround the Baltic Sea, and the European community. HELCOM meets annually to “adopt recommendations for the protection of the marine environment, which the governments of the Contracting Parties must act on in their respective national programs and legislation” (About HELCOM, 2012). There are several principles that HELCOM prides itself on adhering to: responsibility, the precautionary principle, best environmental practices and best available technologies, “polluter The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 9 pays”, monitoring, and avoiding risks. Though there are several environmental issues within and around the Baltic Sea, HELCOM’s top priorities are eutrophication, hazardous substances, land transport sector, maritime transport sector, environmental impacts of fishery management and practices, protect and conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity, and the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Program and HELCOM Recommendations. 3.2: Successes and Persistent Problems Since its beginning, the “Helsinki Commission has been working to improve the Baltic marine environment, largely through some 200 HELCOM Recommendations” (About HELCOM, 2012). Some examples of successes they have experienced within this time period are “a 2025% overall reduction in the emissions of oxygen-consuming substances from the 132 originally identified hot spots since the early 1990s, with about 50 hot spots deleted from the list; lower discharges of organic pollutants and nutrients from point-sources; national regulations banning hazardous substances like PCB an DDT; the recovery of seal and white-tailed eagle populations; a major international plan to combat marine pollution with active cooperation involving all the Contracting Parties through HELCOM” (About HELCOM, 2012). Although the Helsinki Commission has made great strides in improving the overall Baltic Sea ecosystem, there is still work to be done. Due to the recovery of the economy in the Baltic Sea area there was “a strong increase of emissions from ship traffic, with 2012 surpassing the emission levels of shipping before the recession” (Baltic Sea ship emissions in 2010, 2011). Within the last decade, “the deposition of reduced nitrogen to two sub-basins was higher by 3- The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 10 5%”, compared to 1995 (Baltic Sea ship emissions in 2010, 2011). In terms of hazardous substances, they are still maintaining a persistent presence in the Baltic. Despite the considerable reductions in the inputs of some hazardous substance to the Baltic Sea, the concentrations of heavy metals and organic pollutants in sea water are still several times higher in the Baltic Sea compared to waters of the North Atlantic. Concentrations of contaminants in fish vary according to substance, species and location. Although there is no consistent trend in mercury concentrations, the concentrations of lead and PCBs have decreased significantly as a result of measures taken to reduce discharges of these contaminants to the environment. Recent levels of cadmium in herring are not significantly lower compared to the concentrations measured at the beginning of the 1980s, despite measures taken to reduce discharges of cadmium to the environment (HELCOM Indicator Fact Sheets for 2011, 2012). 4.0: What the Future Holds It is obvious that most of the detriment that the Baltic Sea has suffered within the past century is due to human causes. Therefore, it is necessary for a shared vision and commitment among those countries within the catchment area of the Baltic to strengthen its health. Only by spreading awareness and understanding of the task ahead will change undoubtedly be inevitable. Not only will change affect the marine life and quality of the Baltic Sea ecosystem, but also the quality of life for the millions of people who call the land around the Baltic their home. The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 11 Works Cited Andersen et al. Helsinki Commission, Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. (2010). Ecosystem Health of the Baltic Sea (No. 122). Retrieved from Helsinki Commission website: http://www.helcom.fi/stc/files/Publications/Proceedings/bsep122.pdf Andersen et al. Helsinki Commission, Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. (2009). Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea – An integrated thematic assessment of the effects of nutrient enrichment and eutrophication in the Baltic Sea region (No. 115B). Retrieved from http://meeting.helcom.fi/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=79889&folderId=377779 &name=DLFE-36818.pdf Alenius, P., & Lumiaro, R. (n.d.). Baltic Sea saline pulses. Retrieved from http://www.itameriportaali.fi/en/tietoa/yleiskuvaus/en_GB/suolapulssit/ Andrushaitis, A., & Thulin, J. (2003, June). The Baltic Sea: Its past, present, and future. Religion, Science & the Environment Symposium V Retrieved from http://www.rsesymposia.org/files.php?catid=76&pcatid=46 Baltic Sea. (2010, October 29). Retrieved from http://www.ymparisto.fi/default.asp?node=18323&lan=en Cloern, J., Hogan, M., & Krantz, T. (2007). Eutrophication. In E. Duffy (Ed.), Encyclopedia of earth Washington D.C.: National Council for Science and the Environment. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/article/Eutrophication The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems 12 Helsinki Commission. (2012). About HELCOM. Retrieved from http://www.helcom.fi/helcom/en_GB/aboutus/ Helsinki Commission. (2010). Baltic Sea Action Plan. Retrieved from http://www.helcom.fi/BSAP/ActionPlan/en_GB/SegmentSummary/ Helsinki Commission. (2011). Baltic Sea ship emissions in 2010. Retrieved from http://www.helcom.fi/BSAP_assessment/ifs/ifs2011/en_GB/ShipEmissions/ Helsinki Commission. (2012). HELCOM Indicator Fact Sheets for 2011. Retrieved from http://www.helcom.fi/BSAP_assessment/ifs/ifs2011/en_GB/cover/ Helsinki Commission. (2008). The Helsinki Convention. Retrieved from http://www.helcom.fi/Convention/en_GB/convention/ Knuuttila et al. Helsinki Commission, the Fifth Baltic Sea Pollution Load Compilation (PLC-5). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.helcom.fi/stc/files/Publications/Proceedings/BSEP128.pdf Lundberg, C. (2005). Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. (Master's thesis, Abo Akademi University, Abo, Finland) Retrieved from http://www.mare.su.se/dokument/Cecilia_Lundberg_abstract.pdf The Baltic: A Young Sea Facing Big Problems Telkanranta, H. (2006). The Baltic Sea: Discovering the sea of life. Helsinki, Finland: Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission (HELCOM). Retrieved from http://www.helcom.fi/stc/files/Publications/OtherPublications/TheBalticSea2006.pdf The Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme, (2010). HELCOM. Helsinki, 1993. (Balt. Sea Environ. Proc. No. 48), pp. 2-1 - 3-20. http://www.baltic.vtt.fi/demo/balful.html World Wildlife Foundation. Baltic Sea. June 4, 2012. http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/baltic/ 13