Estimated Trophic State Effects and Abatement Costs in Connection with Improved Urban Sewage Treatment in the Gulf of Riga
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 6
Abstract
Environmental conflicts of interest are important to account for when environmental policies are designed. This paper explores the quantitative connection between urban wastewater treatment, coastal eutrophication, and fish biomass in the mesotrophic Gulf of Riga (northern Europe). The probable effect on the water quality from one clearly defined abatement measure, improved urban sewage treatment, has been studied. The implementation cost and the likely effect on total fish biomass also have been assessed. Computer simulations by using the previously published model CoastMab suggested that good water quality according to the European Union (EU Marine) Strategy Framework Directive could be achieved if urban sewage treatment would be upgraded to Nordic and German standards, and not only around the Gulf of Riga but also in the whole Baltic Sea drainage basin. The Secchi depth would double according to these simulations, whereas total phosphorus and summer chlorophyll concentrations would decrease by 54% and 53%, respectively. The total fish biomass should be expected to decrease by approximately 42% if good water quality (as defined in EU directives) should be achieved. However, changes in total fish biomass also could be offset by changes in other important determinants, such as climate-related variables or fishing pressure. The study estimated that it could take approximately 20–40 years after abatement action for the trophic state in the Gulf to stabilise again. Upgrading urban sewage treatment to this extent would cost 468–1,118 million Euro per year. Treatment could have substantial positive effects on the water quality of the Gulf but could also have adverse side effects on the total fish biomass.
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Acknowledgments
Four anonymous reviewers have greatly improved previous versions of this paper with many constructive comments. I would also like to thank participants in the AWARE project (www.aware-eu.net), funded by the European Commission (Framework Programme 7) and led by Dr. Carlo Sessa (ISIS, Rome), for many fruitful discussions about nutrient load reductions, water quality, and fish stock management in the Gulf of Riga.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 138 • Issue 6 • June 2012
Pages: 663 - 672
Copyright
© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 14, 2011
Accepted: Oct 13, 2011
Published online: Oct 15, 2011
Published in print: Jun 1, 2012
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