Report on the third application of the OSPAR comprehensive procedure to the Belgian marine waters
De Cauwer, K.; Van der Zande, D.; Desmit, X.; Lacroix, G. (2016). Report on the third application of the OSPAR comprehensive procedure to the Belgian marine waters. Scientific Service MUMM, Operational Directorate Natural Environment (RBINS): Brussels. 37 pp.
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| Abstract |
In this report the eutrophication status of the Belgian waters for the period 2006-2014 is assessed according to the third application of the OSPAR comprehensive procedure. The Belgian coastal zone, the most sensitive part of the Belgian Continental Shelf (BCS) is still characterized as a ‘problem area’. Offshore, the area has been classified as ‘non problem area’. For the coastal waters, this assessment is in accordance with the second assessment (COMP2, Belgium, 2007) in which elevated nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations were reported. In general, problems appear near the coast where riverine nutrient loads have the strongest influence. COMP2 classified the offshore area as ‘potential problem area’. The current change of status of the offshore area is mainly due to an improved assessment of the direct effects in that area. |
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