The History of Eutrophication in the Sea Area of Helsinki in the 20th Century: Long-term Analysis of Plankton Assemblages

The aim of this study is to present a historical continuum of nearly 100 years of environmental investigations and changes in trophic levels in the sea area of Helsinki. The survey is based on a re-examination of original planktological and meteorological data; the principle being that eutrophicatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 2001-08, Vol.30 (4), p.264-271
Main Authors: Finni, Terttu, Laurila, Sari, Laakkonen, Simo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cyanobacteria
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring - history
Eutrophication
Finland
Food Chain
History, 20th Century
Part II: The Sea and the Cities
Phytoplankton
Plankton
Sea water
Waste Disposal, Fluid
Wastewater
Water Pollutants - adverse effects
Water Pollutants - history
Water pollution
Water Purification
Water quality
Water samples
Zooplankton
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Summary:The aim of this study is to present a historical continuum of nearly 100 years of environmental investigations and changes in trophic levels in the sea area of Helsinki. The survey is based on a re-examination of original planktological and meteorological data; the principle being that eutrophication can be detected in plankton assemblages despite changes in methodology. The bays around Helsinki were found to be moderately eutrophic to hypereutrophic at the beginning of the 20th century. There were considerable differences in the development of the bays both in terms of degradation and recovery. The efficiency of wastewater treatment and especially the introduction of sea outfall have played an important role in decreasing eutrophication in the bay area of Helsinki.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209
DOI:10.1579/0044-7447-30.4.264