Member State report / Art10 / 2012 / D5 / Ireland / NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas
| Report type | Member State report to Commission |
| MSFD Article | Art. 10 Environmental targets (and Art. 17 updates) |
| Report due | 2012-10-15 |
| GES Descriptor | D5 Eutrophication |
| Member State | Ireland |
| Region/subregion | NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas |
| Reported by | Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government |
| Report date | 15/04/2013 |
| Report access | ACSIE_MSFD10TI_20130415.xml |
ACS-IE-AA-001
Feature [Target or Indicator code] |
D5 |
5.1 |
5.1.1 |
5.1.2 |
5.2 |
5.2.1 |
5.2.3 |
5.2.4 |
5.3 |
5.3.1 |
5.3.2 |
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GES descriptor, criterion or indicator [GEScomponent] |
D5
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D5C1
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D5C1
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5.1.2
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5.2
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D5C2
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D5C6
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D5C3
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5.3
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D5C7
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D5C5
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MarineUnitID |
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Method used |
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Description [Targets] |
Winter dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus concentration should not exceed the Environmental Quality Standard laid down in national legislation implementing the Water Framework Directive (SI 272 of 2009) and the corresponding area specific assessment levels used by Ireland in the application of the OSPAR Common Procedure.
NOTE: GES is not determined by any single parameter but by the holistic assessment of a number of quantitative criteria which reflect, once inter-linked, the main cause/effect relationships of the eutrophication process. |
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Threshold value [TargetValue] |
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Reference point type |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Baseline |
Offshore waters: Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for offshore waters of the Irish and Celtic Seas (salinity 35.0) and Atlantic west coast (salinity 35.5) are set at 12 and 15 µM respectively. These values are based on background concentrations of 8 and 10 µM, respectively. Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) for offshore waters of the Irish and Celtic Seas (salinity 35.0) and Atlantic west coast (salinity 35.5) are set at 0.8 and 0.9 µM respectively. These values are based on background concentrations of 0.5 and 0.6 µM, respectively. Coastal waters (as defined by the WFD): Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for coastal waters (salinity 34.5) are set at 12 µM (0.17 mg N/l) for the high/good boundary and 18 µM (0.25 mg N/l) for the good moderate/boundary, respectively. These values are based on a background concentration of 7.85 µM, derived from an assessment of unimpacted coastal waters. Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) for coastal waters (salinity 17.0-35.0) are set at 0.8 µM for the high/good boundary and 1.2 µM for the good moderate/boundary, respectively. These values are based on a background concentration of 0.73 µM, derived from an assessment of unimpacted coastal waters. The threshold values for DIN for WFD defined coastal waters have been set as Environmental Quality Standards in the European Communities Environmental Objective (Surface Waters) Regulation (S.I. No.272 of 2009). The threshold values for DIP are operational values used by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency for assessment purposes but have not been formally established in Irish legislation. |
Offshore waters: Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for offshore waters of the Irish and Celtic Seas (salinity 35.0) and Atlantic west coast (salinity 35.5) are set at 12 and 15 µM respectively. These values are based on background concentrations of 8 and 10 µM, respectively. Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) for offshore waters of the Irish and Celtic Seas (salinity 35.0) and Atlantic west coast (salinity 35.5) are set at 0.8 and 0.9 µM respectively. These values are based on background concentrations of 0.5 and 0.6 µM, respectively. Coastal waters (as defined by the WFD): Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for coastal waters (salinity 34.5) are set at 12 µM (0.17 mg N/l) for the high/good boundary and 18 µM (0.25 mg N/l) for the good moderate/boundary, respectively. These values are based on a background concentration of 7.85 µM, derived from an assessment of unimpacted coastal waters. Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) for coastal waters (salinity 17.0-35.0) are set at 0.8 µM for the high/good boundary and 1.2 µM for the good moderate/boundary, respectively. These values are based on a background concentration of 0.73 µM, derived from an assessment of unimpacted coastal waters. The threshold values for DIN for WFD defined coastal waters have been set as Environmental Quality Standards in the European Communities Environmental Objective (Surface Waters) Regulation (S.I. No.272 of 2009). The threshold values for DIP are operational values used by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency for assessment purposes but have not been formally established in Irish legislation. |
Offshore waters: Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for offshore waters of the Irish and Celtic Seas (salinity 35.0) and Atlantic west coast (salinity 35.5) are set at 12 and 15 µM respectively. These values are based on background concentrations of 8 and 10 µM, respectively. Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) for offshore waters of the Irish and Celtic Seas (salinity 35.0) and Atlantic west coast (salinity 35.5) are set at 0.8 and 0.9 µM respectively. These values are based on background concentrations of 0.5 and 0.6 µM, respectively. Coastal waters (as defined by the WFD): Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for coastal waters (salinity 34.5) are set at 12 µM (0.17 mg N/l) for the high/good boundary and 18 µM (0.25 mg N/l) for the good moderate/boundary, respectively. These values are based on a background concentration of 7.85 µM, derived from an assessment of unimpacted coastal waters. Winter threshold values for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) for coastal waters (salinity 17.0-35.0) are set at 0.8 µM for the high/good boundary and 1.2 µM for the good moderate/boundary, respectively. These values are based on a background concentration of 0.73 µM, derived from an assessment of unimpacted coastal waters. The threshold values for DIN for WFD defined coastal waters have been set as Environmental Quality Standards in the European Communities Environmental Objective (Surface Waters) Regulation (S.I. No.272 of 2009). The threshold values for DIP are operational values used by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency for assessment purposes but have not been formally established in Irish legislation. |
The winter threshold value is based on the observed background atomic nitrogen; phosphorus ratio of 16:1 (Redfield, 1958 ; 1963 ). |
Reference conditions were based on contemporaneous data collected from undisturbed water bodies that were considered to be close to or at reference as determined by expert judgment, Ireland’s WFD Article 5 Characterisation report and supporting environmental data. An analysis of data collected from undisturbed water bodies mainly located along the Atlantic seaboard indicated median and 90%ile reference values of 1.64 and 3.40 µg/l, respectively (Water Framework Directive: Marine Ecological Tools for Reference, Intercalibration and Classification (METRIC). STRIVE Report 2005-W-MS-36-M1), Environmental Protection Agency). To account for natural variability, these reference values where multiplied by 1.5 to give a high/good median and 90%ile boundary value for chlorophyll of 2.5 (2.46) and 5.0 (5.1) µg/l, respectively. A good/moderate median and 90%ile boundary for chlorophyll was set at twice the high/good boundary and is therefore set at 5 and 10 µg/l. |
Reference conditions were based on contemporaneous data collected from undisturbed water bodies that were considered to be close to or at reference as determined by expert judgment, Ireland’s WFD Article 5 Characterisation report and supporting environmental data. An analysis of data collected from undisturbed water bodies mainly located along the Atlantic seaboard indicated median and 90%ile reference values of 1.64 and 3.40 µg/l, respectively (Water Framework Directive: Marine Ecological Tools for Reference, Intercalibration and Classification (METRIC). STRIVE Report 2005-W-MS-36-M1), Environmental Protection Agency). To account for natural variability, these reference values where multiplied by 1.5 to give a high/good median and 90%ile boundary value for chlorophyll of 2.5 (2.46) and 5.0 (5.1) µg/l, respectively. A good/moderate median and 90%ile boundary for chlorophyll was set at twice the high/good boundary and is therefore set at 5 and 10 µg/l. |
Reference conditions were based on available data and expert judgement as outlined in Scanlan et al. 2007 . |
Reference conditions were based on contemporaneous data collected from undisturbed water bodies that were considered to be close to or at reference as determined by expert judgment, the WFD Article 5 Characterisation report and supporting environmental data. Two reference values were set. A cell threshold value of 250,000 cells l-1 and an annual exceedance frequency of 16% or less (two or less blooms permitted over a 12-month period) (SI 272 of 2009). |
For perennial macroalgae a combination of observations from undisturbed sites and expert judgement was used to establish reference condition (Wells et al. 2007) . For intertidal seagrass a combination of observations from undisturbed sites and expert judgement was used to establish reference condition (Foden et al. 2007) . For both elements, class boundaries are expressed as ecological quality ratios (EQRs). EQRs are a means of expressing class boundaries on a common scale from zero to one. The boundary EQR values represent particular degrees of deviation from the corresponding reference values. High status is represented by values relatively close to one (i.e. little or no deviation) and bad status by values relatively close to zero (i.e. substantial deviation). To be at high status the Ecological Quality Ratio for both perennial seaweed and intertidal seagrass should be 0.80 or higher. To be at good status the Ecological Quality Ratio for perennial seaweed and intertidal seagrass should be 0.60 and 0.63 or higher, respectively. |
For perennial macroalgae a combination of observations from undisturbed sites and expert judgement was used to establish reference condition (Wells et al. 2007) . For intertidal seagrass a combination of observations from undisturbed sites and expert judgement was used to establish reference condition (Foden et al. 2007) . For both elements, class boundaries are expressed as ecological quality ratios (EQRs). EQRs are a means of expressing class boundaries on a common scale from zero to one. The boundary EQR values represent particular degrees of deviation from the corresponding reference values. High status is represented by values relatively close to one (i.e. little or no deviation) and bad status by values relatively close to zero (i.e. substantial deviation). To be at high status the Ecological Quality Ratio for both perennial seaweed and intertidal seagrass should be 0.80 or higher. To be at good status the Ecological Quality Ratio for perennial seaweed and intertidal seagrass should be 0.60 and 0.63 or higher, respectively. |
The baseline is based on the theoretical assumption that, in well ventilated unimpacted waters, background dissolved oxygen levels should be 100% saturated. This assumption is also supported by empirical evidence from unimpacted Irish coastal waters (O’Boyle and Nolan, 2010). |
Proportion |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
NotReported |
Assessment method |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Development status |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Type of target/indicator |
State |
State |
State |
State |
State |
State |
State |
State |
State |
State |
State |
Timescale |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
2021-01 |
Interim or GES target |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
Compatibility with existing targets/indicators |
Compatible with: • Standards set in National legislation (S.I. No 272 of 2009) for implementing the WFD. • OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure. • Consistent with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and Nitrates Directive. |
Compatible with: • Standards set in National legislation (S.I. No 272 of 2009) for implementing the WFD. • OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure. • Consistent with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and Nitrates Directive. |
Compatible with: • Standards set in National legislation (S.I. No 272 of 2009) for implementing the WFD. • OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure. • Consistent with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and Nitrates Directive. |
Compatible with OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure Assessment Criteria. |
• WFD standards set under National legislation (S.I. No 272 of 2009) for coastal water-bodies • Area specific assessment levels used by Ireland in OSPAR Common Procedure • Consistent with Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and Nitrates Directive |
• WFD standards set under National legislation (S.I. No 272 of 2009) for coastal water-bodies • Area specific assessment levels used by Ireland in OSPAR Common Procedure • Consistent with Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and Nitrates Directive |
Compatible with WFD standards set under National legislation S.I. No 272 of 2009. |
Compatible with standards established in National legislation S.I. No 272 of 2009 for WFD defined coastal water bodies. |
Compatible with WFD standards set under National legislation (S.I. No 272 of 2009) |
Compatible with WFD standards set under National legislation (S.I. No 272 of 2009) |
Compatible with WFD standards set under National legislation S.I. No 272 of 2009. |
Physical/chemical features |
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Predominant habitats |
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Functional group |
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Pressures |
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