Nutrient Pollution and Eutrophication
water
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Eutrophication and health
40
preface
Eutrophication and health
Algal blooms, “red tides”, “green tides”, fish kills, inedible shellfish, blue algae and public health threats. What is the common link ? The answer is, EUTROPHICATION: a complex process which occurs both in fresh and marine waters, where excessive development of certain types of algae disturbs the aquatic ecosystems and becomes a threat for animal and human health. The primary cause of eutrophication is an excessive concentration of plant nutrients originating from agriculture or sewage treatment. The purpose of this booklet is to describe in a simple way the causes of eutrophication, the environmental effects, the associated nuisances and health risk as well as the preventive and mitigating measures. It is hoped that the booklet, which represents a collaborative effort between the European Commission and the WHO, will contribute to a better understanding of the problem of eutrophication and a more effective control of nutrient enrichment in our lakes, rivers ans seas.
Dr Günter KLEIN
Head of office WHO European Centre for Environment and Health Bonn Office
Prudencio PERERA
Director Environment Quality and Natural Resources European Commission
A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu.int). Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2002 ISBN 92-894-4413-4 © European Communities, 2002 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Printed in France - PRINTED ON WHITE CHLORINE-FREE PAPER
Local authorities - this publication is meant for you
WHO’s Regional Office for Europe is regularly approached to provide technical or practical advice on a large number of questions
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Eutrophication and health
40
preface
Eutrophication and health
Algal blooms, “red tides”, “green tides”, fish kills, inedible shellfish, blue algae and public health threats. What is the common link ? The answer is, EUTROPHICATION: a complex process which occurs both in fresh and marine waters, where excessive development of certain types of algae disturbs the aquatic ecosystems and becomes a threat for animal and human health. The primary cause of eutrophication is an excessive concentration of plant nutrients originating from agriculture or sewage treatment. The purpose of this booklet is to describe in a simple way the causes of eutrophication, the environmental effects, the associated nuisances and health risk as well as the preventive and mitigating measures. It is hoped that the booklet, which represents a collaborative effort between the European Commission and the WHO, will contribute to a better understanding of the problem of eutrophication and a more effective control of nutrient enrichment in our lakes, rivers ans seas.
Dr Günter KLEIN
Head of office WHO European Centre for Environment and Health Bonn Office
Prudencio PERERA
Director Environment Quality and Natural Resources European Commission
A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu.int). Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2002 ISBN 92-894-4413-4 © European Communities, 2002 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Printed in France - PRINTED ON WHITE CHLORINE-FREE PAPER
Local authorities - this publication is meant for you
WHO’s Regional Office for Europe is regularly approached to provide technical or practical advice on a large number of questions