Monitoring long-term trends in eutrophication and nutrients in the coastal zone : evaluation of background conditions, anthropogenic influence and recovery (MOLTEN)

Objective

This project will use the high-resolution record of environmental changes recorded in coastal sediments to reconstruct, or hind cast, the long-term (ca. 100-150 years) changes in nutrient (N and P) loading that have taken place in four representative European coastal basins. The project involves novel approaches to reconstruct historical nutrient concentrations using the recently developed technique of diatom-based transfer functions and will use a multi-proxy approach to reconstruct different aspects of ecosystem response (phytoplankton, macrophytes, zoobenthos) to changes in nutrient loading. Results from this analysis will be used to develop a tool that will enable coastal managers to assess the magnitude of nutrient reduction necessary to reach a state by which "only a slight departure of the biological community from the conditions of minimal anthropogenic impact" as defined by the Water Framework Directive.

Programme(s)

• FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.4.-3. - Key action Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Address

399,Frederiksborgvej 399
4000 Roskilde
Denmark

Participants (5)

FINNISH ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE

Finland

Address

6,Kesäkatu 6
00251 Helsinki

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT PUBLIC WORKS AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Netherlands

Address

Kortenaerkade 1
2500 EX Den Haag ('S-gravenhage)

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

Denmark

Address

10,Oester Voldgade 10
1350 Koebenhavn K/copenhaegen

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Finland

Address

Arkadiankatu 7
00014 Helsinki

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

United Kingdom

Address

Claremont Road Daysh Building
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne