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Mediterranean 2017 Quality Status Report
Land and Sea-based Pollution

Land and Sea-based Pollution

Eutrophication (EO 5)
Pollution (EO 9)
Marine Litter (EO 10)

Eutrophication (EO 5)

Ecological Objective 5 (EO5) Definition:

Human-induced eutrophication is prevented, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters.

Key Messages:

The available data show that assessment is possible. Key nutrient concentrations are within characteristic ranges for coastal areas and in line with the main processes undergoing in concerned interested area. The Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) is still the most oligotrophic area of the whole Mediterranean basin, and the largest phosphorus-limited body of water in the global ocean. [...]
A more comprehensive set of data is required at coastal hotspots in order to assess accurately trends for nutrients. Significant trends need to be detected from long time series that are able to capture nutrient concentrations changes in coastal waters [...]
Whilst data is available through the MEDPOL database, and relevant data is also available through EEA, EMODnet-Chemistry and other information sources, priority should be given to ensure Mediterranean countries regularly report quality assured nutrient monitoring data in line with IMAP.
The IMAP assessment criteria for eutrophication based on Common Indicator 14 (Chlorophyll a concentration in the water column) are applicable and confirm the main status of eutrophication in the coastal area. [...]

Pollution (EO 9)

Ecological Objective 9 (EO9) Definition:

Contaminants cause no significant impact on coastal and marine ecosystems and human health

Key Messages:

Concentrations of key harmful contaminants (CI 17) indicate generally acceptable levels of heavy metals assessed from bivalves and fish, with lead in 10% of stations above threshold levels in mussels. [...]
Level of pollution effects of key contaminants (CI 18) results are generally not comparable, as biological effects monitoring tools are still in a research phase [...]
Occurrence, origin, extent of acute pollution events (e.g. slicks from oil, oil products and hazardous substances), and their impact on biota (CI 19) indicate that accidents rates have gone down regionally [...]
Regular datasets were unavailable to perform an assessment on levels of contaminants in commonly consumed seafood (CI 20), although from the review available studies, there is no major significant concerns or extreme high levels [...]
There is a lack of recent datasets on microbiological pollution (CI 21) submitted to the MAP Secretariat and regular reporting of data in line with IMAP is required to assess that levels of intestinal enterococci comply with established standards for GES [...]
Regular monitoring and reporting of quality assured data for CI17 and CI 21 to MED POL database need to continue [...]

Marine Litter (EO 10)

Ecological Objective 10 (EO10) Definition:

Marine and coastal litter do not adversely affect coastal and marine environment

Key Messages:

Information on beach marine litter (CI 22) exists but the picture is still fragmented and is geographically restricted to the northern part of the Mediterranean. Plastics are the major components with cigarette butts, food wrappers and plastic bags being the top marine litter items.[...]
Information on the distribution, quantities and identification of beach marine litter sources needs to be further advanced. For the moment information and data are inconsistent for the Mediterranean. [...]
Accumulation rates of floating litter vary widely in the Mediterranean Sea and are subject to factors such as adjacent urban activities, shore and coastal uses, winds, currents, and accumulation areas.[...]
The abundance of floating litter (CI 23) in Mediterranean waters has been reported at quantities measuring over 2 cm range from 0 to over 600 items per square kilometer. The 2015 UN Environment/MAP Marine Litter Assessment report states that approximately 0.5 billion litter items are currently lying on the Mediterranean Seafloor. [...]
Data on floating and seafloor marine litter are inconsistent and geographically restricted in only few areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to that, the lack on long-term assessment data makes the assessment of trends of the years extremely difficult. [...]

Book traversal links for Land and Sea-based Pollution

Tourism
Common Indicator 13: Concentration of key nutrients in water column

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