14 Surface Water Eutrophication in Poland: Assessment and Prevention
327
Table 14.3 Trophic state assessment according to EU directives (on the base of [18–23])
Ecological status Ecological/trophic status definition
WFD
Wastewater directive
Nitrates directive
Very good
Almost undisturbed
natural conditions
Eutrophication does not
occur, identification of
sensitive areas is not
required
Not eutrophic, not
contaminated.
Identification of
sensitive to nitrates
areas is not required
Good
Conditions disturbed to
a small extent as a
result of anthropogenic
impact
Eutrophication does not
occur, identification of
sensitive areas is not
required
Not eutrophic, not
contaminated.
Identification of
sensitive to nitrates
areas is not required
Moderate
Moderate degree of
disturbance of natural
conditions and change
in the structure of
biocenosis
Eutrophic or may
become eutrophic in the
near future unless
protective actions are
taken. Identification of
sensitive areas is
required
Eutrophic or may
become eutrophic in the
near future unless
protective actions are
taken. Identification of
sensitive to nitrates
areas is required (unless
the Member State
considered the whole
area of the country to be
sensitive)
Bad
Significantly changed
natural conditions, the
structure of biocenosis
differs significantly
from the one usually
found in a given type of
water
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive areas is
required
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive to nitrates
areas is required (unless
the Member State
considered the whole
area of the country to be
sensitive)
Very bad
Seriously changed
natural conditions in
which there are no
species typical for a
given type of water
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive areas is
required
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive to nitrates
areas is required (unless
the Member State
considered the whole
area of the country to be
sensitive)
is the approach of the above Directives, specifying the need to take action in the case
of waters classified as eutrophic. If high trophic state is conditioned by natural causes,
the water body does not require protective measures. The measures are undertaken
only if eutrophication is caused by anthropogenic reasons. The method of distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic eutrophication is also not specified in
EU Directives [7, 21].
As a member of the European Union, Poland has implemented EU requirements to
its environmental legislation: the Water Law Act [28] and appropriate implementing
regulations. The main of them are: Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 23
327
Table 14.3 Trophic state assessment according to EU directives (on the base of [18–23])
Ecological status Ecological/trophic status definition
WFD
Wastewater directive
Nitrates directive
Very good
Almost undisturbed
natural conditions
Eutrophication does not
occur, identification of
sensitive areas is not
required
Not eutrophic, not
contaminated.
Identification of
sensitive to nitrates
areas is not required
Good
Conditions disturbed to
a small extent as a
result of anthropogenic
impact
Eutrophication does not
occur, identification of
sensitive areas is not
required
Not eutrophic, not
contaminated.
Identification of
sensitive to nitrates
areas is not required
Moderate
Moderate degree of
disturbance of natural
conditions and change
in the structure of
biocenosis
Eutrophic or may
become eutrophic in the
near future unless
protective actions are
taken. Identification of
sensitive areas is
required
Eutrophic or may
become eutrophic in the
near future unless
protective actions are
taken. Identification of
sensitive to nitrates
areas is required (unless
the Member State
considered the whole
area of the country to be
sensitive)
Bad
Significantly changed
natural conditions, the
structure of biocenosis
differs significantly
from the one usually
found in a given type of
water
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive areas is
required
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive to nitrates
areas is required (unless
the Member State
considered the whole
area of the country to be
sensitive)
Very bad
Seriously changed
natural conditions in
which there are no
species typical for a
given type of water
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive areas is
required
Eutrophic. Identification
of sensitive to nitrates
areas is required (unless
the Member State
considered the whole
area of the country to be
sensitive)
is the approach of the above Directives, specifying the need to take action in the case
of waters classified as eutrophic. If high trophic state is conditioned by natural causes,
the water body does not require protective measures. The measures are undertaken
only if eutrophication is caused by anthropogenic reasons. The method of distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic eutrophication is also not specified in
EU Directives [7, 21].
As a member of the European Union, Poland has implemented EU requirements to
its environmental legislation: the Water Law Act [28] and appropriate implementing
regulations. The main of them are: Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 23