Chemical aspects of North Sea pollution. Nutrients : sources and effects

Estimates of total inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus to the North sea from U.K. sources were made. The Department of the Environment (DoE) estimate of 100 Kt of nitrogen per year (1990) was thought not to take account the extensive denitrification occurring in the estuaries, nor the nitrate input fr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analytical proceedings 1992, Vol.29 (10), p.440-441
Main Author: HARDWICK, D. C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Natural water pollution
Pollution
Seawaters, estuaries
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Estimates of total inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus to the North sea from U.K. sources were made. The Department of the Environment (DoE) estimate of 100 Kt of nitrogen per year (1990) was thought not to take account the extensive denitrification occurring in the estuaries, nor the nitrate input from the Atlantic and the English channel. Thus, the inputs of nitrogen from land were thought to be significant only in coastal areas. Excessive algal growth was recognized as a problem only in the north-west continental coastal waters. The DoE (1990) estimates for phosphorus inputs of 3 Kt per year (from rivers) and a further 4 Kt per year (directly discharged) were thought to be insignificant in relation to the total of 300 Kt per year applied as fertilizer in the U.K.. A direct link between algal blooms and increases in agricultural run-off to coastal seas was unproven.
ISSN:0144-557X