Major source of phosphorus loading to the Gulf of Finland revealed from Russia
A previously unknown, massive source of nutrient loading source has been revealed in Russia. From the waste plaster area of a Kingisepp fertilizer factory, Fosforit, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland huge amounts of phosphorus are leaking into the Luga River. It has been estimated that over a thousand tons of phosphorus end up in the Gulf of Finland each year, exacerbating the eutrophication process.
According to researchers, unexpectedly elevated inputs of nutrients into the Gulf of Finland via the Luga river have been measured since 2008. The load consists almost totally of inorganic, readily algal available phosphorus which causes eutrophication in the Gulf of Finland. Eutrophication is regarded as the biggest environmental problem of the Baltic Sea.
The new point source of phosphorus was discovered in a joint Finnish-Russian research group within the HELCOM-led BALTHAZAR project. An intensive sampling program in the Luga River in October–December 2011 revealed the previously unknown point source. Fosforit is the biggest fertilizer manufacturer in North-West Russia.
The outcome of the sampling in the River Luga will be discussed today, Wednesday the 18th, in a meeting in St. Petersburg with Russian environmental officials. The true extent of the loading can only be ascertained by taking additional samples. However, if the estimate of up to 1000 tons of extra annual phosphorus from the source holds true, it would mean a 20% increase from the previously reported average annual phosphorus load to the Gulf of Finland.
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