Implementation of the nitrate directive in Lithuania

Abstract

The eutrophication of the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea are the main problems caused by pollution of surface waters by nitrates. Nitrates are one of the key factors influencing the eutrophication of the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. During the last decades the role of species of algae typical of eutrophic lakes has increased dramatically in the Curonian Lagoon. Based on this data it is concluded that the Curronian lagoon is a highly eutrophied water body. Thus the eutrophication status of the lagoon and the role of nitrates in the eutrophication are central issues in the implementation of the Nitrate Directive in Lithuania. Analysis of available data indicates that deep groundwater in Lithuanian is not polluted by nitrates but nitrates pollute water in a number of shallow dug wells. The analysis of water quality in shallow dug wells found that nitrate concentration exceeded 50 mg/1 in almost 37% of the wells examined of more than 5700. Because of eutrophication of Curonian lagoon and pollution of shallow dug wells Lithuanian Government has undertook to implement Nitrate Directive in the whale territory of Lithuania, to elaborate Code of good agricultural practices for Lithuania (CGAP) in 2000 and to develop the Action Programme for Reduction of Nitrates Losses from Agriculture in 2003. When implementing Nitrate Directive Lithuanian Government enforced environmental requirements for newly established or expanding farms and established prevention measures on agricultural land to ensure that pollution does not increase when agriculture recovers. Problems in Lithuanian agriculture and mandatory rules for implementation of the Nitrates Directive are described in this article. Besides mandatory rules their substantination is presented.