GESOther: n/a

GESOther: n/a

GESOther: n/a

GESOther: n/a

D5C2 Chlorophyll-a concentration (5.2.1)

D5C4 Photic limit (5.2.2)

D5C5 Dissolved oxygen concentration (5.3.2)

D5C3 Harmful algal blooms (5.2.4)

D5C7 Macrophyte communities of benthic habitats (5.3.1)

D5C5 Dissolved oxygen concentration (5.3.2)

LevelPressureOverall

LevelPressureNLoad

LevelPressureNConcentration

LevelPressurePLoad

LevelPressurePConcentration

LevelPressureOLoad

LevelPressureOConcentration

ImpactPressureWaterColumn

ImpactPressureWaterColumn

ImpactPressureWaterColumn

ImpactPressureSeabedHabitats

ImpactPressureSeabedHabitats

ImpactPressureSeabedHabitats

NutrientsOrganicEnrichment5_1

NutrientsNitrogen5_1

NutrientsPhosphorus5_1

NutrientsOrganicMatter5_1

NutrientsEnrichmentWaterColumn5_2or5_3

NutrientsEnrichmentWaterColumn5_2or5_3

NutrientsEnrichmentWaterColumn5_2or5_3

NutrientsEnrichmentSeabedHabitats5_2or5_3

NutrientsEnrichmentSeabedHabitats5_2or5_3

NutrientsEnrichmentSeabedHabitats5_2or5_3

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

Good

Good

Good

NotAssessed

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

Good

Stable

Stable

Stable

Unknown_NotAssessed

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

Stable

High

High

High

High

High

High

High

High

High

Recent trends in input load of nitrogen are unknown, because they are dominated by large-scale, relatively poorly-constrained sources. Regarding future trends, amplified drought in the region may increase atmospheric deposition but decrease groundwater discharge. See "Information gaps".

Recent and future trends in input load of phosphorus are unknown, because they are dominated by large-scale, relatively poorly-constrained sources. See "Information gaps".

Anthropogenic inputs of nutrients into the ultraoligotrophic marine environment of Cyprus could result from terrestrial or marine activities. The potential that these activities result in significant inputs of nutrients into the marine environment is tempered by the relatively well-documented ease with which the oligotrophic marine environment of Cyprus absorbs any added organic and inorganic nutrients. This capacity accounts for the relatively rare cases of detectable impacts due to nutrient and organic matter inputs. Coastal waters, which are the front line of this interaction between land and sea, are in good ecological and chemical condition at present, as documented by the Cyprus River Basin Management Plan. As is evident by comparison of nutrient concentrations at areas of input with those at reference stations, such inputs are rapidly and thoroughly mixed upon discharge into the sea. Actually, a significant fraction of samples analyzed annually for nutrient concentrations yields in values below analytical limits of detection.

Potential sources, estimates of released load, and years on which the estimates are based follow: Treated waste water (TN): 9.7-25.8 tonnes per year (2004-2009) Desalination plants (DIN): 0.3 tonnes per year (2004-2007) Groundwater discharges (DIN): 3500 tonnes per year (2010) Aquaculture (inorganic N, PN, TN): 175-300 tonnes per year (2004-2007) Atmospheric deposition (N): 128000 tonnes per year (1996-2003)

The Levantine Basin is considered to be one of the most oligotrophic ocean bodies of the globe. For example, nitrate+nitrite concentrations rarely exceed 6 micromol per kg at deep-water maxima, while they are commonly below analytical limits of detection in the euphotic zone. The ultraoligotrophic character of the region is also reflected in the chemistry of the coastal waters of Cyprus. While coastal concentrations are on average 2-3 times greater than those of open Levantine intermediate waters, they remain at the low end of the global coastal water nutrient concentration ranges.

Potential sources, estimates of released load, and years on which the estimates are based follow: Treated waste water (TP): 1.9-5.2 tonnes per year (2004-2009) Desalination plants (DIP): 1 tonne per year (2004-2007) Aquaculture (inorganic P, PP, TP): 40-60 tonnes per year (2004-2007) Atmospheric deposition (P): 30000 tonnes per year (1996-2003)

The Levantine Basin is considered to be one of the most oligotrophic ocean bodies of the globe, while phosphorus is considered to be the primary limiting macronutrient. The ultraoligotrophic character of the region is also reflected in the chemistry of the coastal waters of Cyprus. While coastal concentrations are on average 2-3 times greater than those of open Levantine intermediate waters, they remain at the low end of the global coastal water nutrient concentration ranges. Actually, phosphorus concentrations in more than 50 % of coastal water samples are below the limit of detection.

Inputs of organic material during human activities are not routinely measured. Proxies such as biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids, are generally within legal limits. Only in the case of aquaculture it is possible to obtain a rough estimate of particulate organic material input: for 2010, this amount was estimated at 1300 t.

The ultraoligotrophic character of the assessment area is reflected in concentrations and inventories of organic material. Typical concentrations of POC, PN and PP in open waters are 3-3.5, 0.3-0.35, and 0.012-0.014 micromol per liter respectively, while for DOC, DON and DOP, they are 68-70, 4.5-4.8, and 0.02-0.03 micromol per liter respectively (these data were obtained in 2008). Data on the same parameters is not available for coastal waters, but it is anticipated that they will reflect analogous patterns as nutrient concentrations.

In Cyprus, maximum chlorophyll-a values have been measured in winter to early spring (November–March) when phytoplankton bloom occurs following the deep winter mixing. These and other available chl-a values are lower than 0.1 microgram per liter, which is set as boundary between “high” and “good” Ecological Status Classes (WFD). Water transparency in Cyprus marine waters is high, with Secchi disk depths well deeper than 20 m, typical of oligotrophic waters. Based on available Oxygen (%) saturation values from the WFD monitoring program the dissolved oxygen concentrations are considered to be high with 1.5% divergence from reference conditions.

In Cyprus, maximum chlorophyll-a values have been measured in winter to early spring (November–March) when phytoplankton bloom occurs following the deep winter mixing. These and other available chl-a values are lower than 0.1 microgram per liter, which is set as boundary between “high” and “good” Ecological Status Classes (WFD). Water transparency in Cyprus marine waters is high, with Secchi disk depths well deeper than 20 m, typical of oligotrophic waters. Based on available Oxygen (%) saturation values from the WFD monitoring program the dissolved oxygen concentrations are considered to be high with 1.5% divergence from reference conditions.

In Cyprus, maximum chlorophyll-a values have been measured in winter to early spring (November–March) when phytoplankton bloom occurs following the deep winter mixing. These and other available chl-a values are lower than 0.1 microgram per liter, which is set as boundary between “high” and “good” Ecological Status Classes (WFD). Water transparency in Cyprus marine waters is high, with Secchi disk depths well deeper than 20 m, typical of oligotrophic waters. Based on available Oxygen (%) saturation values from the WFD monitoring program the dissolved oxygen concentrations are considered to be high with 1.5% divergence from reference conditions.

Higher abundances of opportunistic macroalgae and non periodic blooms of Cladophora spp. at areas where nutrient inputs may occur suggest that there is an observable impact regarding these indicators. However, abundances of shade-adapted, slow growing calcareous species and of perennial seaweeds and seagrasses, as well as EEI and PREI values, suggest that overall impacts on the seabed are minimal.

Higher abundances of opportunistic macroalgae and non periodic blooms of Cladophora spp. at areas where nutrient inputs may occur suggest that there is an observable impact regarding these indicators. However, abundances of shade-adapted, slow growing calcareous species and of perennial seaweeds and seagrasses, as well as EEI and PREI values, suggest that overall impacts on the seabed are minimal.

Higher abundances of opportunistic macroalgae and non periodic blooms of Cladophora spp. at areas where nutrient inputs may occur suggest that there is an observable impact regarding these indicators. However, abundances of shade-adapted, slow growing calcareous species and of perennial seaweeds and seagrasses, as well as EEI and PREI values, suggest that overall impacts on the seabed are minimal.

High

Moderate

High

Moderate

High

Low

High

High

High

High

High

High

High

Unknown_NotAssessed

Stable

Unknown_NotAssessed

Stable

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Be stable

Unknown_NotAssessed

Be stable

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

Activities such as discharge of urban treated waste-water and marine aquaculture constitute sources of nutrients and organic matter to the marine waters of Cyprus. However, these are dwarfed by the magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge.

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

• Aquaculture
• Desalination
• Urban

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.

The potential enormous magnitude of atmospheric deposition of Saharan dust as well as submarine ground-water discharge as sources of nutrients to the marine waters of Cyprus needs to be addressed, in order for these sources to be better constrained. Opportunities will be seized through research programmes to better quantify these sources, especially submarine groundwater discharge. Moreover, efforts will be made to quantify organic matter concentrations, especially in the coastal environment to better constrain potential inputs and their impacts.