As a part of the work programme of the European Environment Agency (EEA), the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) has compiled a first version of a European marine database 'Marinebase'. This database on water quality parameters covers aggregated data related to eutrophication...

Nearly 87 % of the Black Sea is entirely anoxic (without oxygen) and contains high levels of hydrogen sulphide. This is the result of past geological events, its shape and its specific water balance (high degree of isolation from the world ocean, deep water depression with a maximum depth of 2...

The North Sea is a shallow and rather young ecosystem formed by the flooding of a landmass some 20 000 years ago. Its coasts and waters are still being colonised by new species from the Atlantic. The strong coupling between benthic and pelagic communities in the shallow parts of the sea makes it...

The North-east Atlantic Ocean is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is dominated by deep ocean basins, except the Celtic Sea, the shelf along the Bay of Biscay and Iberian coast. The formation of the North Atlantic deep water is one of the driving forces for the thermohaline circulation of the...

Eutrophication is the enhanced primary production of marine algae due to excessive supply of nutrients from human activities, independent of the natural productivity level of the sea area in question. The main objectives of this report are to evaluate the causes, state and development of...

The aim of this report is to examine whether estimates of the plant pigment chlorophyll-a from satellite data can support the evaluation of eutrophication in European marine and coastal waters. Satellite images are a good indicator of the occurrence of algal blooms in relation to eutrophication...

The development of coastal indicators by EEA in the period 1998-2001 is described in this report, the first of three volumes. It explains the process and results of a study of potential state and pressure indicators for eutrophication. The report also describes the development of, and...

Farmland supports many habitats and species of European conservation concern. In 2003, Europe's environment ministers agreed to identify all farmland areas with high nature value and take conservation measures. This report shows that these areas cover roughly 15-25 % of the European countryside...

Agriculture is a key influence on the environment in the acceding countries. This report reviews the pressures from agriculture on water, soil and air. It also shows the importance of agricultural management for biodiversity and landscapes. Introduction of the CAP will bring positive and...

Increasing the use of renewable energies offers significant opportunities for Europe to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and secure its energy supply. However, the substantial rise in the use of biomass from agriculture, forestry and waste for producing energy might put additional pressure on...