Chapter 2 Framework and approach of waterborne pollution load compilation

2.1 Overall frameworkThe objective of the PLC guidelines is to serve as a tool for Contracting Parties to quantify and report total waterborne inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus and selected heavy metals to the Baltic Sea and their nutrient sources in a harmonized manner. The guideline focuses mainly on nutrients but also cover quantification of total waterborne inputs of heavy metals (cadmium, lead and mercury).

The overall structure of the guidelines is shown in figure 2-1 reflecting the general framework and approach used for quantifying total waterborne inputs to the Baltic Sea and for quantifying importance of different nutrient sources. The different topics are described in separate chapters with cross reference to other chapters to avoid repetition of information. The reporting requirements are assigned to one chapter on annual obligations (chapter 14) and on periodical reporting (chapter 15), respectively. The details related to reporting sheets can be found in annex xx.

Figure 2-1 Framework of the and approach of pollution load compilation (PLC) illustration where different topics are scrutinized in the guidelines.

The main definitions and abbreviation used in the guidelines is in annex xxx.

2.2 Quantification of total input to the Baltic SeaContracting Parties are obliged annually quantifying and reporting total waterborne inputs from point and diffuse sources entering to the Baltic Sea from their catchment (HELCOM Recommendation 26/2 [ref to

insert]). Transboundary waterborne nutrient inputs reaching the Baltic Sea should be included in the total waterborne inputs, and the transboundary part of Contracting Parties waterborne inputs should be quantified to allow for the follow up on the nutrient reductions scheme (CART) adopted at the Copenhagen HELCOM Ministerial Declaration 2013 [ref to insert].

The total waterborne inputs is the sum ofconsist of total riverine inputs from monitored and unmonitored areas plus the plus input from points sources discharging directly to coastal or transitional Baltic Sea waters (also called direct discharges) and is quantified for nutrients and selected heavy metals per Contracting Party and per Baltic Sea sub-basin (see 2.xx) as discharges.: According to HELCOM Recommendation 26/2 “Compilation of Waterborne Pollution Load (PLC-Water)”, the total waterborne inputs from point and diffuse sources in the Baltic Sea catchment area located within the borders of the Contracting Parties are to be assessed annually. This part of the Guidelines deals with the quantification of the total input to the Baltic Sea from:

TIx = ∑ Ix mMonitored rivers + ∑ Ix unmonitored areas + ∑;

Ix Unmonitored areas; and

Ppoint sources discharging directly intto the Baltic Ssea.,

where

TIx is total input (I) from a country of the substance x.

The quantification of the total load to the Baltic Sea has to be carried out and reported every year for each main Baltic Sea sub-catchment area by each Contracting Party (see chapter 1.5.1 and Annex 4.1).

The objective is to provide obtain an estimate that is as exact as possible estimate of the total waterborne input from monitored rivers, unmonitored areas and direct discharges from point sources entering directly into the Baltic Seaentering the Baltic Sea main sub-basin including estimate the share of transboundary waterborne nutrient inputs entering the Baltic Sea. This requires that the calculation results under chapters 2.1. are summed up for every Baltic Sea sub-catchment (see chapter 1.2) per Contracting Party.

Information on what and how to sample, monitor, calculate river flow and river loads, calculated inputs from unmonitored areas, quantify transboundary inputs and the net inputs reaching Baltic Sea by taking into account retention, and quantify inputs from points sources discharging directly to the sea can be found in chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. The annual reporting obligation is described in chapter 14 and annex xx.

2.3 Quantifying waterborne nutrient inputs sources to the Baltic Sea

Contracting Parties are obliged periodically (every 6 year) quantifying and reporting nutrient discharges from point sources and nutrient losses from natural and anthropogenic diffuse sources into inland surface waters within monitored and unmonitored catchment area of the Baltic Sea located within the borders of

the Contracting Parties to HELCOM (see figure xxx). Further the Contracting Parties are obliged periodically to quantify and report the sources of the total nutrient inputs entering the Baltic Sea taking into account retention in inland surface waters. Sources quantification is included in chapter 6 and 7, and quantification of transboundary loads in chapter 9.

The two source quantification approaches is described in chapter 11:

Quantifying the sources of input entering surface waters is used to evaluate the importance of different point and diffuse sources for nutrient supply to inland waters, and to evaluated and predict effect of measures on nutrient losses to surface waters

Quantifying the sources of the total waterborne nutrient inputs to the is used for assessing the main sources for waterborne nutrient input to the sea, evaluate the resulting effect of land based measures reducing waterborne nutrient inputs to the sea taking into account the importance of inland surface water retention.

The periodical reporting requirements is described in chapter 15 and in annex yy.

The different nutrient point and diffuse sources and pathways for nitrogen and phosphorus supply to inland surface waters and waterborne inputs to the sea are shown in figure 2-2. The pathways is included to exemplify how nutrients (and heavy metals) can enters inland surface waters, but the Contracting Parties are not obliged to quantify all the pathways, only the point and diffuse sources describe in chapter 6 and 7. Figure 2-3 illustrates how different sources add nutrients to inland surface waters, while retention in are net removing/retaining nutrients in these waters.

[1.1] Classification of the Inputs in PLC-Water

The Waterborne Pollution Load Compilation is dealing with point and diffuse sources located within the catchment area of the Baltic Sea located within the borders of the Contracting Parties. The approach to quantify the main pollution sources are presented below (see also Figure 1.3).

Figure 12.23. Nitrogen and phosphorus sources and pathways to the marine environment. Some of the arrows is only of interest for one of the nutrients e.g. combustion (nitrogen), ammonia volatilization. For atmospheric compartment only atmospheric deposition on surface waters are included (airborne emissions and deposition will be covered in EMEPs annual waterborne inputs, and airborne inputs are not included in the PLC guidelines)

Retention is a removal of e.g. nutrients in surface waters of river systems including lakes and flooded river banks and wetlands caused by biological, chemical and physical processes (figure 2.3). As a proportion of the nutrients entering inland surface water is retained or removed it must be taken into account when e.g. evaluating sources for total waterborne inputs to sea, quantifying net contribution of riverine transboundary inputs etc. Chapter 10 deals with retention.

Figure 2,.3. Illustration of in stream processes (retention) in a river system representing the connecting link between the “Source Orientated Approach” and the “Load Orientated Approach”.

2.4 EXPLANATORY Text to be added by Lars

Supporting toolsThe guidelines also includes chapter regarding:

An overview of the parameter to monitor (chapter 3) G uidance on how to take and handle water samples in rivers and monitored river flow (chapter 4) Minimum quality assurance expect by the Contracting Parties, interlaboratory comparison test,

recommended limit of quantification (chapter 13) Statistical methods for assessing PLC data (estimating uncertainty, normalization, trend analysis

etc). and how to handle data gaps and outliers (chapter 12) List of definitions and acronyms, detailed instruction for reporting sheets, short description of used

methodology to quantify atmospheric deposition in the Baltic Sea etc. (appendixes x-y)

2.5 Basic definitions

Figure 21.4 illustrates the definitions of catchment areas, monitored areas, unmonitored areas, different point sources, transboundary inputs (see also the list of definitions and acronymsglossary of definitions contained in Annex 6. It should be noted that in some cases, hydrologically and chemically monitored

Retention is the main link between the two approaches

The “Load orientated approach” is based on monitoring of the load with supplement of discharges/ losses from areas below the monitoring point and

Load entering the sea

The “Source orientated approach” is based on quantification of nutrient discharges at source

CprocessesIn stream

to sedimentRetention: loss

loss to airRetention:

monitoring points differ from each other. (see Figure 1.5. The chemical monitoring station defines the monitored catchment.

Direct point sources are municipal waste water treatment plants, and industry and aquaculture discharging directly into the coastal or transitional waters. Further it includes marine aquaculture situated and discharging in marine watersA. A river that has its outlet to the Baltic Sea at the border between two countries is considered a border river. For these rivers, the inputsloads to the Baltic Sea are divided between the countries in relation to each country’s share of total load. A transboundary river has its outlet situated in one country (receiving transboundary inputs) from one/more upstream countries providing transboundary inputs. Chapter 9 includes a list with the transboundary rivers where Contracting Parties should quantify the proportion of transboundary inputs. In some cases a river is both border and transboundary, as show for Nemunas in figure 9.x .

Figure 2.4 Illustration of some key definitions used in this guidelines – see also annex 6 “List of abbreviation and acronyms”

Figure 3. Illustration of in stream processes (retention) in a river system representing the connecting link between the “Source Orientated Approach” and the “Load Orientated Approach”.

Retention is the main link between the two approaches

The “Load orientated approach” is based on monitoring of the load with supplement of discharges/ losses from areas below the monitoring point and

Load entering the sea

The “Source orientated approach” is based on quantification of nutrient discharges at source

CprocessesIn stream

to sedimentRetention: loss

loss to airRetention:

Figure 1.4. Monitored and unmonitored rivers and coastal areas considered in PLC-Water

Quantification of total input to the Baltic Sea

The total waterborne inputs consist of total riverine inputs plus direct discharges. According to HELCOM Recommendation 26/2 “Compilation of Waterborne Pollution Load (PLC-Water)”, the total waterborne inputs from point and diffuse sources in the Baltic Sea catchment area located within the borders of the Contracting Parties are to be assessed annually. This part of the Guidelines deals with the quantification of the total input to the Baltic Sea from:

[1.] Monitored rivers;

[2.] Unmonitored areas; and

[3.] Point sources discharging directly into the Baltic Sea.

The quantification of the total load to the Baltic Sea has to be carried out and reported every year for each main Baltic Sea sub-catchment area by each Contracting Party (see chapter 1.5.1 and Annex 4.1).

The objective is to obtain an estimate that is as exact as possible of the total input from monitored rivers, unmonitored areas and direct discharges from point sources entering directly into the Baltic Sea. This requires that the calculation results under chapters 2.1. are summed up for every Baltic Sea sub-catchment (see chapter 1.2) per Contracting Party.

2.6 Division of the Baltic Sea catchment area

An overview of the entire catchment area and the sub-basins is presented in Figure 21.5 and in further details for selected sub-basins in Figure 2-61. In order to take into account the harmonization process within the HELCOM assessment products dealing with pollution load and their effect in the marine environment it is proposed to subdivide the Baltic Sea in the following sub-basins (Table 12.1).

Table 21.1. Sub-catchment of the Baltic Sea catchment area for which data have to be reported.No. Sub-catchment Abbreviation

1 Bothnian Bay BOB

2 Bothnian Sea BOS

3 Archipelago Sea ARC

4 Gulf of Finland GUF

5 Gulf of Riga GUR

6 Baltic Proper BAP

7 Western Baltic WEB

8 The Sound SOU

9 The Kattegat KAT

For improving assessments the inputload figures must be presented separately for each sub-basin by each Contracting Party.

Figure 21.51. The Baltic Sea catchment area and sub-basins as defined for PLC-Water.

Figure 1.2.6 Close-ups of the Baltic Sea catchment area and sub-basins divisions in the Danish straits, Archipelago Sea and The Quark.

The main part of the catchment to the Baltic Sea is covered by monitoring and it is mainly minor river catchment which are unmonitored (figure 2-7 a and b)

Figure 12.75 a nd b. Monitored and unmonitored areas in the HELCOM countries.

2.6 Quantification obligations

According to HELCOM Recommendation 26/2 “Compilation of Waterborne Pollution Load (PLC-Water)”, the total waterborne inputs to the Baltic Sea should be quantified annually and an assessment of the inputs from different sources within the catchment area of the Baltic Sea located within the borders of the HELCOM Contracting Parties, should be carried out periodically (every six years).

2.5.1 Quantification obligations on an annual basis

The quantification of the total load to the Baltic Sea from:

1. Monitored rivers (chapter 2.1.1);

2. Unmonitored areas (including partly monitored rivers, unmonitored part of monitored rivers, unmonitored rivers and direct diffuse sources from coastal areas including unmonitored islands, chapter 2.1.2); and

3. Point sources discharging directly into the Baltic Sea (chapter 2.1.4).

has to be carried out and reported every year for each main Baltic Sea sub-catchment area by each Contracting Party for the variables listed in table 1.2. In chapter 2.1.1.5, 2.1.2.3, 2.1.4, 3.1.3.1.3, 3.1.3.2.3, 3.1.3.3.3 and 3.2.2 further details on reporting are given. All data have to be reported electronically according to the reporting format prepared by the data consultant (see Annex 4.1).

2.5.2 Quantification obligations every 6 yearsComprehensive Waterborne Pollution Load Compilations, comprising the source-orientated approach and the load-orientated approach has to be carried out and reported every six year starting in 2006.

Within the source-orientated approach according to chapter 4 the quantification of inputs from:

1. Municipal waste water treatment plants (chapter 3.1.3.1);

2. Industrial plants (chapter 3.1.3.2);

3. Fish farming plants (chapter 3.1.3.3);

4. Nutrient Losses from diffuse sources (chapter 3.2); and

5. Natural background nutrient losses (chapter 3.3)

into inland surface waters within the catchment area of the Baltic Sea located within the borders of the Contracting Parties has to be carried out and reported in accordance with HELCOM Recommendation 26/2, (every six year) starting in 2006. The variables to report are listed in table 1.3. In chapter 2.1.1.5, 2.1.2.3, 2.1.4, 3.1.3.1.3, 3.1.3.2.3, 3.1.3.3.3 and 3.2.2 further details on reporting are given. All data have to be reported electronically according to the reporting format prepared by the data consultant (see Annex 4.2).

Within the load-orientated approach according to chapter 2 the quantification of the total load to the Baltic Sea from:

1. Monitored rivers (chapter 2.1.1);

2. Unmonitored areas (including diffuse sources discharging directly into the sea, chapter 2.1.2); and

3. Point sources discharging directly into the Baltic Sea (chapter 3).

and the quantification of the importance of different sources of the total input entering the sea:

4. Retention (chapter 2.2) and

5. Riverine load apportionment (chapter 2.3).

has to be carried out and reported in accordance with HELCOM Recommendation 26/2, (every six year) starting in 2006. The variables to report are listed in table 1.3. In chapter 2.1.1.5, 2.1.2.3, 2.1.4, 3.1.3.1.3, 3.1.3.2.3, 3.1.3.3.3 and 3.2.2 further details on reporting are given. All data have to be reported electronically according to the reporting format prepared by the data consultant (see Annex 4).

An overview of parameters monitored by Contracting Parties in 2012 is available on the HELCOM website.

1.1 Conceptual description of annual and periodic reporting

DRAFTING GROUP to elaborate something…

1.2 Reporting Obligations

To fulfill Recommendation 26/2, Contracting Parties should:

1. Submit the quantified waterborne total loads and other relevant information as specified in the Guidelines to the Data Manager in accordance with the agreed format by the end of October following the year of data collection;

2. Report the quantified waterborne discharges from point sources and losses from non-point pollution (diffuse) sources as well as the quantified natural background losses into inland surface waters within the catchment area of the Baltic Sea located within the borders of the Contracting Parties to HELCOM (every sixth year) as specified in the Guidelines starting in 2006 by the end of December following the year of data collection.

The reporting formats are contained in Annex X to these guidelines.