Project for preparation of the Fifth Baltic Sea Pollution Load Compilation (PLC-5) (2005-2010)
Background:
HELCOM regularly produces a Pollution Load Compilation which assesses the data collected by the Contracting Parties on total waterborne loads of nutrients and some hazardous substances to the Baltic Sea. The next compilation, PLC-5, will be based on data collected in the year 2006 and be published in a consistent and easily readable form which attracts scientists, administrators and the general public. Also a popular version summarizing the air and water borne loads to the Baltic Sea shall be produced based on the results of the project combined with the airborne pollution data.
Aims:
This main objective of the PLC-5 report is to:
quantify and describe the waterborne discharges from point sources and losses from non-point pollution sources as well as the quantified natural background losses into inland surface waters (source oriented approach) within the catchment area of the Baltic Sea;
quantify and describe the loads (from rivers, unmonitored and coastal areas as well as point sources) discharging directly to the Baltic Sea (load oriented approach);
evaluate changes in the pollution load since 1994;
explain to which extent changes are caused by human activities or natural variations; and
overall evaluate the significance of various water protection measures applied in the Baltic Sea catchment area to reduce the pollution load from land-based sources.
Actions:
The overall task of the Project is to draft a comprehensive assessment of the waterborne inputs to the Baltic Sea by updating the Fourth Pollution Load Compilation.
The Fifth Pollution Load Compilation (PLC-5) project will be carried out in three consecutive stages:
Finalization of the PLC-water Guidelines
Data collection, submission and compilation
Preparation of PLC-5 Report
Contact:
Project Manager: Mr. Seppo Knuuttila
Finnish Environment Institute
P.O. Box 140
FI-00251 Helsinki
Tel: +358 9 4030 0232
E-mail: seppo.knuuttila@ymparisto.fi