Problems in the Baltic

During recent decades land and sea based activities have put a great burden on the maritime environment at the Baltic Sea.   

It seems that every summer we must suffer from a serious algae problem. Slimy, poisonous green stuff floats on the surface. It used to be so that most of the nutrients, that cause algae, ending in the sea were human organic waste flushed from our toilets, but nowadays agriculture is mostly to blame. Overfertilization and wrong cultivation methods cause nutrients to flush into rivers and hence to the sea.

The depths of the Baltic Sea are completely dead because of lack of oxygen which is destroyed by nutrients. Because there is no oxygen the nutrients begin to dissolvefrom the sediment and the cycle is ready.

All we can do now is to stop adding any nutrients to the sea and hope for new salt water which has oxygen with it arriving from the Atlantic to fill the depths.

Traffic problems

The Baltic Sea is one of the most heavily trafficked streches of waterin the world. Millions of tons of cargo is transferred every year across it and it has a great impact on the sea. Boat traffic causes emissions, but accidents could be worse. The Baltic Sea is very difficult to navigate, because of its shallowness and the ice conditions during wintertime.

Marine catastrophies, like breakages because of ramming onto rocks or another ship, could be disastrous to marine life and to occupations relying on it. Violations of existing regulationson discharge of oil or dumping of wastesis quite common and the results are worsening the state of the sea.

The fish population is affected by all previously said, but also overfishing poses a threat, especially to some species, like salmon. Some hazardous substances, like dioxines, are also contaminating the fish. The fish stocks are decreasing all the time.

Brighter future for the Baltic Sea

But all is not lost. There are some brighter signs also. Co-operation between the states around the Baltic Sea has increased implementing existing legislation and technology. Trends in pollution from some hazardous substances like DDT and heavy metals like mercury have been reversed.

The attitudes towards environmental issues have improved, people have grown to be more aware of their surroundings. We should be looking forward to a brighter future for the Baltic Sea.

22.12.2003 Pekka Paavilainen