Environmental Problems of the South-Eastern Baltic Coast and the Curonian Lagoon

Abstract

Environmental problems of the south-eastern Baltic are quite common for the rest of the Baltic Sea. The threat of oil spills increases with the increase in volume of oil transportation. The number of alien invasive species is growing, as is their impact on native ecosystems and local economy. However, the most important problem is the ongoing eutrophication. This paper demonstrates that no decrease in nutrient level or intensity of algal blooms has occurred in the Curonian Lagoon, as could be expected given the decline in the industrial activity and use of fertilisers in agriculture during the recent decade.