BALTIC SEAENVIRONMENT PROCEEDINGS No. 59 - Helcom

The Baseline Assessment 1980
In 1978, the interim Helsinki Commission asked for an assessment
of existing data on the pollution of the Baltic Sea. By
tilassessment" the Commission meant an evaluation of the conditions
and quality of the environment and its living resources. About 30
scientists from the Baltic Countries worked out the "Assessment of
the Effects of Pollution on the Natural Resources of the Baltic
Sea, 1980" (Melvasalo et al., 1981). Topics treated in chapters
were: Physical parameters, dissolved gases, nutrients, harmful
substances, and biological parameters. Information was given on:
gaps in knowledge, trends, differences in sub-areas, interrelationships
with other processes, inputs to the Baltic Sea,
effects of human activities, and the degree of pollution. The 1980
assessment was meant as an "baseline assessmentt' from where future
trends should be determined in subsequent evaluations.
The First Periodic Assessment for the oeriod 1979-1983
In 1981, the "Ad hoc Group of Experts on Assessment of the State
of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Seal' (GEA) was
established. More than 40 experts from all countries boardering
the Baltic Sea joined in a cooperative effort and produced the
"First Periodic Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment
of the Baltic Sea Area, 1980-1985" (Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission, 1986; 1987a). Chapters, reflecting the subdivisions
of the Guidelines, were: Hydrography, nutrients, harmful
substances, pelagic biology, zoobenthos, and microbiology. The GEA
evaluated the results from the BMP for the period 1979 - 1983 but
also reviewed other information pertinent to the assessment of the
state of the Baltic Sea.
Generally, the results from a previous assessment are meant to
improve the quality of the next monitoring period. Some general
conclusions were drawn from the First Periodic Assessment:
- The main finding was ongoing eutrophication in the Baltic Sea.
This called for further action to reduce the inputs of nutrients
from the Baltic Sea States.
- There was reason to beleive that phytoplankton biomass and
primary production in the Baltic Sea was doubled between 1970
and 1980. This had some implications for the zoobenthos living
in areas not disturbed by oxygen deficiency.
- Concentrations of DDT and its metabolites in eggs of sea birds
and in herring from the Baltic Sea were in 1979 - 1983 still
higher compared with data from the North Sea. However, there
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