Significant Source of Phosphorus Found in Kingisepp, Russia             

This site provides backgroud information to the River Luga case and is under construction following the latest developments. 
Background documents 

The newly agreed sampling points in March 2012

WHAT IS THE CASE KINGISEPP:

The sampling carried out in late November 2011 within the framework of HELCOM's BALTHAZAR project in the River Luga revealed a potentially significant source of phosphorus to the Baltic Sea downstream from the town of Kingisepp, North-West Russia. The new estimate of annual phosphorus load of up to 1,000 tons from the source would mean a 20% increase from the previously reported average annual phosphorus load to the Gulf of Finland (Fifth Baltic Sea Pollution Load Compilation - PLC-5).

Further investigation has continued in 2012 to better determine the exact source for the high phosphorus load in River Luga in North-West Russia.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

- 14-15 June 2012: HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting - minutes to be finalized soon

- 8 June 2012: Project Steering Group Meeting in St. Petersburg; discussions on Project draft final report and the follow-up project, BASE 

- 6 June 2012: EuroChem announces to take further actions to collect and treat phosphorus-containing surface waters from the areas close to the Phosphorit fertilizer plant - press release by EuroChem and John Nurminen Foundation

- 5 June 2012: Last samplings by the BALTHAZAR's SYKE-Hydromet team

- 8 May 2012: Progress on BALTHAZAR Project in the agenda of HELCOM LAND Meeting (see: Documents), including further information on additional sampling campaign - press release

- 3 May 2012: Regular sampling will continue outside the sanitary protection zone - see approximate map

- 19 April 2012: Project meeting confirms the aim to continue sampling; details on targeted sampling to be agreed on as soon as possible - press release

- 16 April 2012: Continuation of the sampling programme expected to be discussed this week - press release

- 11 April 2012: SYKE researcher arrested during a sampling trip at River Luga, returns to Finland on 13 April

- 20 March 2012: joint sampling begins at River Luga. The first outcomes will be presented in HELCOM LAND Meeting, 8.-10.5.2012

- 13 March 2012: meeting in St. Petersburg decides on a joint sampling programme with BALTHAZAR and Hydromet, expected to start by 20 March - press release

COORDINATES:

Click here for the location details of the Kingisepp.

Sampling point of Ust-Luga, 15 May 2012. Credit: Pekka Vähänäkki/Ely-keskus

TIMELINE:

PRESS RELEASES:

18.1.2012 - New Sampling Indicates Significant Source of Nutrient Pollution to the Gulf of Finland

25.1.2012 - Russian Fertiliser Plant ‘Phosphorit’ Visited by Authorities Today 

7.2.2012 - Phosphorus Finding in Kingisepp Discussed Today

10.2.2012 - Fertilizer Plant Joins in to Investigate the Phosphorus Source

29.2.2012 - MEDIA ADVISORY: Current Baltic Sea Environment Affairs Discussed in HELCOM Meeting

6.3.2012 - HELCOM Meeting Assesses Progress towards a Healthier Baltic Sea

7.3.2012 - Nitrogen Load Reduction for the Baltic Sea Makes Progress in HELCOM Meeting

7.3.2012 - Brief background on Luga case in HELCOM Annual Meeting 7 March 2012

13.3.2012 - Joint Sampling Starts in River Luga Next Week

16.4.2012 - Continuation of Luga Samplings Expected to Be Discussed this Week

19.4.2012 - Samplings in Luga River Will Continue by Early May

8.5.2012 - Sixteen Baltic Sea Pollution Hot Spots Expected to Be Remediated
   

Source: BALTHAZAR (2011)

DOCUMENTS

Background documents and reports, graphs and maps can be found here.