Lakes’ ecological status high, rivers’ not

About 85 per cent of the lakes in the country have a good or high ecological status, but there are still many river stretches that do not meet such high standards, according to a report on State of the Environment 2017 published by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE).

Overall, the state of aquatic environment in Finland has improved significantly in recent decades, said the report.

Reductions in polluting emissions from pulp and paper mills are a good example of successful water protection measures.

Phosphorus loads in treated municipal wastewater have likewise been effectively reduced, though when it comes to nitrogen removal some targets have not yet been achieved, said a SYKE press release.

Climate change and increasingly intensive land use both represent significant threats to aquatic ecosystems around Finland.

It is expected that climate change will increase natural nutrient runoff into watercourses as well as nutrient loads from farming and forestry.

The agricultural sector is still responsible for a large share of the nutrient loads entering watercourses – in some areas as much as 80 per cent. Actions to reduce loads from farmland have already been implemented, but they must be resolutely continued and enhanced, the press release said.

In recent years chemicals, plastics, and problems related to water management at mining facilities have worsened the state of waters around Finland.

There is still insufficient information on the combined harmful impacts of various contaminants including pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, as well as micro-plastics.