Member State report / Art11 / 2020 / D1-P / Finland / Baltic Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2020-10-15
GES Descriptor D1 Pelagic habitats
Member State Finland
Region/subregion Baltic Sea
Reported by Finnish Environment Institute
Report date 2020-10-31
Report access

Descriptor
D1.6
Monitoring strategy description
The programme consists of five sub-programmes, three of which provide information on the biological agents of the water column: Coastal and offshore animal and phytoplankton, as well as the number of microbials in coastal bathing areas. Two sub-programmes provide information on changes in basic p...
Coverage of GES criteria
Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps and plans
No gaps.
Related targets
  • LUONTO1
  • LUONTO2
Coverage of targets
Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Related measures
  • BALFI-M006-EUTRO - 'EUTRO6 - Assessment of the importance of the Baltic Sea's internal nutrient stores and the possibilities for reducing these'
Coverage of measures
Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Related monitoring programmes
  • 04
  • 06pel-1
  • 06pel-2
  • 06pel-3
  • 06pel-4
  • 06pel-5
  • BALFI-d01
  • BALFI-d05-1
  • BALFI-d05-2
Programme code
BALFI-D01,04,06pel-1
BALFI-D01,04,06pel-2
BALFI-D01,04,06pel-3
BALFI-D01,04,06pel-4
BALFI-D01,04,06pel-5
BALFI-D05-1
BALFI-D05-2
Programme name
Zooplankton species composition and abundance
Phytoplankton species composition, abundance and biomass
Public bathing site pathogens
Water column physical characteristics
Waves, sea level and ice
Water column - chemical characteristics
Nutrient inputs - land-based sources
Update type
Same programme as in 2014
Same programme as in 2014
Same programme as in 2014
Same programme as in 2014
Same programme as in 2014
Same programme as in 2014
Same programme as in 2014
Old programme codes
Programme description
Zooplankton species composition, abundance and biomass
Phytoplankton species composition, abundance and biomass are monitored by counting phytoplankton from preserved water samples to identify changes in phytoplankton communities (e.g. harmful and invasive species
Monitoring is done only on public bathing sites along the Finnish coast. Monitoring is based on water samples from public bathing sites.
Monitoring of physical and chemical characteristics (temperature, salinity, secchi-depth). Other indicators such as density is calculated based on measurements made.
Program monitors wave action, sea level and ice cover in the Baltic Sea.
The sub-programme monitors the state of the basic chemical properties of the water column in the Baltic Sea and their changes. Surveillance is carried out in Finland’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), both offshore and coastal areas. Monitoring also includes stations in Swedish, Estonian and Russian waters.
The sub-programme monitors the discharge of nutrients, solids and organic matter from the catchment area into the sea, as well as nitrogen deposition. They end up in the sea by deposition, with rivers and – as direct point pollution – from urban waste water treatment plants, industrial plants...
Monitoring purpose
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Pressures at source
Other policies and conventions
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
  • Water Framework Directive
  • Bathing Water Directive
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
  • Water Framework Directive
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
  • Water Framework Directive
  • HELCOM Monitoring programmes
  • Water Framework Directive
Regional cooperation - coordinating body
  • HELCOM
  • HELCOM
  • Other
  • HELCOM
  • HELCOM
  • HELCOM
  • HELCOM
Regional cooperation - countries involved
DE,DK,EE,LT,LV,PL,SE
DE,DK,EE,LT,LV,PL,SE
DE,DK,EE,LT,LV,PL,SE
DE,DK,EE,LT,LV,PL,SE
DE,DK,EE,LT,LV,PL,SE
DE,DK,EE,LT,LV,PL,SE
Regional cooperation - implementation level
Coordinated data collection
Coordinated data collection
Agreed data collection methods
Common monitoring strategy
Coordinated data collection
Coordinated data collection
Coordinated data collection
Monitoring details
Program follows HELCOM Combine - https://helcom.fi/media/publications/Guidelines-for-monitoring-of-mesozooplankton.pdf
Samples are taken onboard research vessels under the coastal monitoring (part of EU WFD) and offshore monitoring.
Sampled from public bathing sites.
HELCOM monitoring manual: http://www.helcom.fi/action-areas/monitoring-and-assessment/monitoring-manual/hydrography/waves-currents-(sealevel) http://www.helcom.fi/action-areas/monitoring-and-assessment/monitoring-manual/hydrography/ice
Data is collected by samples from river mouths and by automated recorders. Source identifications is made by numerical modelling and by using reported data by actors.
Features
Pelagic broad habitats
Newly introduced non-indigenous species
Established non-indigenous species
Shelf ecosystems
Pelagic broad habitats
Newly introduced non-indigenous species
Shelf ecosystems
Eutrophication
Input of microbial pathogens
Eutrophication
Eutrophication
Physical and hydrological characteristics
Hydrographical changes
Physical and hydrological characteristics
Eutrophication
Chemical characteristics
Physical and hydrological characteristics
Input of nutrients – diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition
Input of organic matter – diffuse sources and point sources
Elements
  • Coastal pelagic habitat
  • Shelf pelagic habitat
  • Not Applicable
  • Cercopagis pengoi
  • Secondary producers
  • Coastal pelagic habitat
  • Shelf pelagic habitat
  • Not Applicable
  • Primary producers
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Diatoms & Dinoflagellates
  • Not Applicable
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Transparency
  • Mixing
  • Temperature
  • Salinity
  • Ice
  • Sea level
  • Wave regime
  • DIN
  • DIP
  • Silicate (SiO4)
  • TOC - total organic carbon
  • TP
  • Dissolved oxygen (O2)
  • Dissolved carbon dioxide (pCO2)
  • H2S
  • pH
  • Freshwater input
  • Turbidity (silt/sediment loads)
  • Not Applicable
  • Not Applicable
GES criteria
D1C6
D2C1
D2C2
D4C1
D4C2
D4C3
D1C6
D2C1
D4C1
D4C2
D5C3
D1C6
D5C3
D5C4
NotRelevan
NotRelevan
NotRelevan
D5C1
D5C5
NotRelevan
NotRelevan
NotRelevan
NotRelevan
Parameters
  • Other
  • Size distribution
  • Presence
  • Abundance (number of individuals)
  • Extent
  • Other
  • Abundance (number of individuals)
  • Biomass
  • Size distribution
  • Other
  • Presence
  • Other
  • Biomass
  • Extent
  • Other
  • Extent
  • Duration
  • Extent
  • Transparency of water
  • Other
  • Temperature
  • Salinity
  • Extent
  • Other
  • Length
  • Wave action
  • Concentration in water
  • pco2 - alkalinity
  • Concentration in water
  • Ph
  • Deposition
  • AMO-WC
  • Other
  • Other
Parameter Other
Biomass; Abundance
Diversity
Abundance; Species richness
Species richness; Diversity
Ratio of Diatoms & Dinoflagellates
Number of pathogens
Stratification of the water column
Sea level
Nitrogen and phosphorus amount (tons)
Organic matter amount (tons)
Spatial scope
  • EEZ (or similar)
  • EEZ (or similar)
  • Coastal waters (WFD)
  • EEZ (or similar)
  • EEZ (or similar)
  • EEZ (or similar)
  • Terrestrial part of MS
Marine reporting units
  • BAL-FI-AS
  • BAL-FI-BB
  • BAL-FI-BS
  • BAL-FI-GF
  • BAL-FI-NB
  • BAL-FI-QK
  • BAL-FI-AS
  • BAL-FI-BB
  • BAL-FI-BS
  • BAL-FI-GF
  • BAL-FI-NB
  • BAL-FI-QK
  • BAL-FI
  • BAL-FI-AS
  • BAL-FI-BB
  • BAL-FI-BS
  • BAL-FI-GF
  • BAL-FI-NB
  • BAL-FI-QK
  • BAL-FI
  • BAL-FI-AS
  • BAL-FI-BB
  • BAL-FI-BS
  • BAL-FI-GF
  • BAL-FI-NB
  • BAL-FI-QK
  • BAL-FI-AS
  • BAL-FI-BB
  • BAL-FI-BS
  • BAL-FI-GF
  • BAL-FI-NB
  • BAL-FI-QK
Temporal scope (start date - end date)
1979-9999
1979-9999
2009-9999
1899-9999
1973-9999
1965-9999
1970-9999
Monitoring frequency
Yearly
Yearly
Yearly
Continually
Continually
Yearly
Monthly
Monitoring type
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling offshore
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling offshore
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling offshore
  • Numerical modelling
  • Remote satellite imagery
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling offshore
  • Remote surveillance
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • In-situ sampling offshore
  • Administrative data collection
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • Numerical modelling
  • Remote surveillance
Monitoring method
  • HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme
  • HELCOM Guidelines for monitoring phytoplankton species composition, abundance and biomass
  • HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme
  • Bathing Water Profiles: Best Practice and Guidance (2009)
  • HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme
  • Other monitoring method
  • HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme
  • HELCOM Guidelines for the annual and periodical compilation and reporting of waterborne pollution inputs to the Baltic Sea (PLC-Water)
Monitoring method other
Automated wave buoys, automated mareografs and satellite imagery.
Quality control
Offshore sampling follows HELCOM COMBINE program and coastal sampling instructions from Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). Ring tests for zooplankton identifiers (HELCOM ZEN), Inter-and intra-laboratory calibrations.
Monitoring follows instructions from Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), which are based on HELCOM COMBINE program. Certificate of phytoplankton identification is required from person identifying phytoplankton from the sample
Laboratories has to fill requirements made by National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health
The quality system is formalized in the HELCOM COMBINE manual: http://www.helcom.fi/action-areas/monitoring-and-assessment/monitoring-manual/hydrography/temperature-salinity-transparency-turbidity
Automated and manual quality checks on wave buoys and mareografs. Ice service operates as part of Weather and Safety Centre which follows ISO 9001:2008. Ice data is automatically and manually checked.
The offshore monitoring parameters (research vessels and Alg@line), with the exception of pCO2, comply with the standard for testing laboratories (SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025) and are determined by the FINAS-accredited Environment Testing Laboratory (FIN-T003).
Both sampling and laboratory analyses are quality assurance activities carried out by staff trained according to the standards and guidelines in force (Kuunen et al. 2008). The air deposition model is produced by EMEP and the annual report reflects the model’s validation and uncertainty.
Data management
Data saved to SYKE data center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) plankton database and International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) data portal. Results can be found from HELCOM indicators
Data is saved into Finland's environmental administrations Hertta- data system and submitted to ICES.
National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health reports bathing water quality to European Commission.
SYKE’s public database and submitted to ICES.
Data is saved to Finnish Meteorological Institutes database
SYKE database , submitted to ICES and summarized by HELCOM.
HELCOM PLC database
Data access
Related indicator/name
Contact
National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health - https://www.valvira.fi/ymparistoterveys/terveydensuojelu/uimavesi
References
HELCOM Combine - https://helcom.fi/media/publications/Guidelines-for-monitoring-of-mesozooplankton.pdf
Aroviita, J., Mitikka, S., Vienonen S. (toim.) 2019: Pintavesien tilan luokittelu ja arviointiperusteet vesienhoidon kolmannella kaudella. Suomen ympäristökeskuksen raportteja 37 / 2019. HELCOM 2017: Monitoring of phytoplankton species composition, abundance and biomass.
Kettunen, I, Mäkelä, A. & Heinonen, P. 2008. Vesistötietoa näytteenottajille. Suomen ympäristökeskus ympäristöopas.