environmental data collection within the black sea commission status, challenges, solutions
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Environmental Data collection within The Black Sea Commission status, challenges, solutions. Black Sea OUTLOOK Conference Odessa, Ukraine November 1-4, 2011. Volodymyr Myroshnychenko, Project Expert Permanent Secretariat Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION WITHIN
THE BLACK SEA COMMISSIONSTATUS, CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS
Volodymyr Myroshnychenko, Project ExpertPermanent Secretariat
Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution
www.blacksea-commission.org
Black Sea OUTLOOK ConferenceOdessa, UkraineNovember 1-4, 2011
Content• Legal framework• Institutional framework• Monitoring• Reporting• Challenges • Solutions and targets• Recommendations
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Bucharest Convention
In April 1992 six Black Sea countries (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine) signed and shortly thereafter ratified the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) with its (three) integrated protocols.
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russian Federation
Turkey Ukraine
Obligations of Contracting Parties General obligation: to prevent, reduce and control the pollution in the Black Sea in order to protect and preserve the marine environment and to provide legal framework for co-operation and concerted actions to fulfill this obligation.
To protect the biodiversity and the marine living resources;
To provide framework for scientific and technical co-operation and monitoring activities.
The Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the
Black Sea• Signed on October 31, 1996
(commemorated as the Black Sea Day)
• Adopted by all Black Sea countries
• Updated in 2009• Ecosystem approach
SAP-1996: Assessment and monitoring of pollutants• A Black Sea Monitoring System, based upon biological effects
measurements and measurements of key contaminants, will be established in compliance with the Bucharest Convention.
• A “State of Pollution of the Black Sea” report will be prepared and published every five years, beginning 2006. It will be based on the data collected through the coordinated pollution monitoring and assessment programmes.
• Data regarding actual and assessed contaminant discharge measurements for point sources, rivers, and, where possible, diffuse sources, shall be compiled and freely exchanged beginning 2002 on an annual basis. It is advised that the Advisory Group Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources make these compilations in future.
SAP-2009: Develop/improve the existing monitoring system to provide comparable data sets for pollutant loads (from direct discharges and river inputs) and for other parameters.
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
Black Sea Commission• Intergovernmental body for promoting the implementation of
the provisions of Bucharest Convention, its protocols and Strategic Action Plan
• The regional focal point for any aspects of the coastal and marine environment of the Black Sea
• Made up of 6 Commissioners (one for each coastal country) and a chairman`
• Chairmanship for one year and rotates between coastal countries
BSC Structure
MONITORING
Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (BSIMAP)
• Implemented since 2001.•Build on established national monitoring programmes•Operational•Last version of BSIMAP was adopted in 2006.
BSIMAP Pollution Monitoring Network
National institutions involvedBulgaria Regional laboratories in Varna and Burgas
Georgia Environment Pollution Monitoring Department, MoEP
RomaniaNational Institute for Marine Research & Development; Water Directorate Dobrogea Litoral – Constanta
Russian Federation
Socchi Hydrometeorological Centre, Tuapse Roshydromet Monitoring Laboratory, Southern Branch of SIO RAS
Turkey MoEF, Istanbul University
Ukraine UkrSCES , State Ecological Inspection of the North-West region of the Black Sea (MENR)
BSIMAP monitoring requirements (1) Sampling media: water
Parameters: nutrients, oxygen, physical & chemical parameters, petroleum hydrocarbons, suspended solidsFrequency: 4 times per year
Sampling media: sedimentsParameters: organic contaminants,
heavy metalsFrequency: 1 time per year
Sampling media: biotaParameters: organic contaminants,
heavy metalsFrequency: 1 time per year
BSIMAP monitoring requirements (2) Problem: response of biodiversity on pollution and
destruction of habitatsMandatory parameters Frequency
Chl a 4Phytoplankton 4Mesozooplankton 4Biomass of Noctiluca 4Macrophytobenthos 1Macrozoobenthos 1Fish landing (annually) 1Fish stocks (optional, annually) 1
Monitoring of pressures:BSIMAP LBS component
Complementary to the Pollution Monitoring, the BSIMAP LBS component includes monitoring of pollution loads from LBS, including:•River discharges•Industrial discharges•Municipal (WWTP) dischargesThe emphasis is given to the Pollution Hot Spots.
Hot spots
Parameters• BOD5• Total Nitrogen (TN)• Total Phosphorus (TP)• Total Suspended Solids (TSS) • Flow (Q)• Heavy metals• Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
REPORTING
ReportingWho: National Focal Points / Members of Advisory
GroupsWhat: Different parameters of the Black Sea ecosystem
state, pressures, impacts, measures, changes in legislation/policy, programs, investments, etc. 1. PMA (pollution in water, sediments, biota)2. LBS (pollution loads)3. CBD (phyto- and zoo-plankton, conservation status…)4. ESAS (ship traffic, oil spilled during accidents, fines…)5. ICZM (state of the coast and management)6. FOMLR (stocks, landings, fishing fleet, measures…)
When: annually (in Autumn), data for previous yearHow: in standardized formats
Data flow
Implementing agencies and laboratories
National ministries and agencies BSC focal points
BSC PS BSIS (Black Sea Information System)
Users: scientists, decision-makers,
public
Standardized format
Usage of monitoring data & informationState of
Environment reporting (SoE)
Transboundary diagnostic analysis
Impact assessments of major pollutant
sources
Assesment of SAP implementation
and SAP revision
Monitoring data &
information
BSIS
GIS, mapping
Trend analysis
CHALLENGES
Analysis of official data reportingItem/State BG RO GE RU TU UA How many Institutions are responsible for reporting?
7 3 6 7 3 5
Major gaps in reporting
Pollution data – water, sediments,
biota No gaps
Pollution data – water, sed.
biota; Biodiv. and Fishery data
Biodiver. and Fishery data; Pollution in
sediments and biota
Biodiver. data Pollution in
sediment and biota
Major reason for gaps in reporting Poor coordination N/A Financial Poor coordination Poor coordination Financial
Quality of data good excellent good good excellent since 2005 excellent
How can be the reporting improved?
Improved coordination
between Ministries and by
stable financial assistance for
monitoring
N/A By stable
financial assist. for monitoring
By improved coordination
between Ministries,
Agencies and simplified
organization of monitoring
By improved coordination
between MoEF and scientific institutions
By stable financial
assist. for monitor.
Can the data be used for scientific ecosystem analyses in TDA and SoE reports?
Only for water quality, biodiv.,
etc., not suitable to EA
Yes
Only for water quality, biodiv.,
etc., not suitable to EA
Only for water quality, biodiv.,
etc., not suitable to EA
Only for water quality, biodiv.,
etc., not suitable to EA
Only for water quality, biodiv.,
etc., not suitable to EA
Can the data be used for SAP IR? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Source: ‘Diagnostic Report’ to guide improvements to the regular reporting process on the state of the Black Sea environment”
Suitability of data for calculating indicators
Indicator group Indicators/Parameters In BSIS Outside
BSIS
Eutrophication
Nutrients Y YChl-a (in-situ) limited YTransparency limited YHypoxia (dis. oxygen) Y YAlga blooms Y YMacroalgae limited limited
Contamination
Concentrations in sea water Y Y-:- in biota limited --:- in sediments limited -
Biological effects not considered yet -
Biodiversity
Species composition (zooplankton, phytoplankton, benthos, fish, seagrass) limited YPopulation abundance & biomass limited YNon-indigenous species Y Y
Source: ‘Diagnostic Report’ to guide improvements to the regular reporting process on the state of the Black Sea environment”
•Insufficient time-series data in BSIS for trend analysis
Reasons for data gaps (1)• Mandatory parameters of BSIMAP are often not
covered • Recommended frequency of observations is not
always observed• Gaps in countries’ monitoring programs: the
monitoring is mainly not integrated• Different approach in assessment of environmental
status • Pure coordination between responsible authorities• Insufficient financial support of monitoring
Reasons for data gaps (2)• Gaps in data availability (i.e. data have not been
collected due to some reasons)• Gaps in data reporting (i.e. data are available in the
country but due to lack of inter-agency coordination did not became available to AG members for including in reports)
• Besides, the Focal Points have no dedicated time in their ToRs officially to work for the BSC
Suitability of data for calculating indicators
Indicator group Indicators/Parameters In BSIS Outside
BSIS
Eutrophication
Nutrients Y YChl-a (in-situ) limited YTransparency limited YHypoxia (dis. oxygen) Y YAlga blooms Y YMacroalgae limited limited
Contamination
Concentrations in sea water Y Y-:- in biota limited --:- in sediments limited -
Biological effects not considered yet -
Biodiversity
Species composition (zooplankton, phytoplankton, benthos, fish, seagrass) limited YPopulation abundance & biomass limited YNon-indigenous species Y Y
Time-series data in for trend analysis limited Y
SOLUTIONS AND TARGETS
Improvement of monitoring • Strengthening of existing program: mandatory parameters
covered, monitoring frequencies observed• Further harmonization of monitoring program:
–Meet requirement of new SAP and LBS protocol, –Coherence with MSFD and WFD–Common understanding of Good Environmental Status (GES) and
indicators–Further development of guidelines, inter-comparison exercises, etc.
• Proper geographical coverage, networks development• Sustain stations and transects with long-terms observations• Sustainable quality control and assurance
Utilizing capacities of all marine organizations in the Region
BSIMAP Monitoring Institutions Marine Organizations in the Black Sea region*
*Black Sea Scene website
The network of reporting institutions in the Black Sea should be further developed
Utilizing capacities of data exchange networks – BlackSeaScene
SeaDataNet standards of interoperability34 data providers~160,000 measurements> 40 data categoriesWater column temperature and salinity
126969
Dissolved gases 33659Nutrients 25468Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus 24907
All Nutrients
Nutrients for period 2006-2010 (2725)
Utilizing capacities of data exchange networks – EMODNet
EMODNet – European Marine Observation and Data Network Preparatory Actions:•Hydrography1
•Geology•Chemistry1,2
•Biology2
•HabitatsNew portal:•Physical Parameters1,2
___________________________________________________
1Based on SeaDataNet standards of interoperability2Includes Black Sea
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for improving data management within BSC
• The regional data base (BSIS) should become fully operational on-line, GIS-enabled, interoperable and linked with other marine/environmental data and information networks (EMODNET, BlackSeaScene etc)
• The work carried out within the BSIMAP should become transparent through renewed BSIS
• BSIS should be proposed as the permanent domain for any data in the region produced by projects
• Data policy should be developed and sustained by the BSC in relation to major data-holders in the Black Sea region
Steps undertaken• The regional Mnemiopsis Database hosted by BSC PS is part of the
BlackSeaScene infrastructure since 2010• The interoperable GIS enabled Regional Pollution Data Base is
being developed in framework of the Baltic2Black* project by the RAC PMA
• The MONINFO system based on OGC interoperability standards (WMS, WFS…) for sharing spatial data
* Baltic2Black is a joint BSC+HELCOM project financed by DG Environment
Further data needFor wider assessments (sensu MSFD, Annex III) BSIS has to be extended with data on:•physical oceanography; •sedimentology; •marine geology;•erosion, etc.
Further data needs (2)Due to large catchment area as compared to its own area, the Black Sea is very vulnerable to pressure from land based human activities and its health is equally dependent from the coastal and non-coastal states of its basin. Due to the same reason Black Sea is vulnerable to climate change.Black Sea catchment
Identifications of drivers of pressures on the Black Sea environment from LBSA requires knowledge on processes in watershed this require cooperation and data exchange with relevant programs and projects: ICPDR, SEIS, EnviroGRIDS.
Accessibility to all available data and information
is a priority issue
Thank you for your attention
WWW.BLACKSEA-COMMISSION.ORG