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Current state of eutrophication in Spanish inland waters

Abstract:

A survey of eutrophication in Spanish inland waters on a global scale, based upon published and unpublished data, is described here. Yearly averaged phosphorus has been used as an eutrophication index. The data sets have been arranged by major watersheds and ecosystem types. The highest eutrophic conditions occur in the Tajo, Segura and Eastern Pirineo watersheds, whereas running waters are the ecosystems with the highest P contents. Variabilities within and between data sets are very remarkable. From this survey, 80% of lakes (46), 70% of reservoirs (95) and 60% of stream sites (280) studied are eutrophic (yearly average P content higher than 0.08 mg l-1 in stagnant waters and higher than 0.15 mg l-1 in running waters). Eutrophication due to pressure from human activities appears to be the cause of this situation. © 1992.