Международные проекты

Luga basin hydrochemical monitoring programmes

In the framework of the 2nd phase of BALTHAZAR project the representatives of the Finnish Environment Institute project took additional samples on 30 November 2011 in the Luga basin and registered high concentrations of phosphates phosphorus in the mouth of the river (Ust-Luga, the road bridge): 0.272 mg/l; and 110 mg/l in the river inflow, Brook Verkhovskoy (in the vicinity of the village of Sala).

In connection with the discovery of the source of the high phosphorus inputs in the River Luga in the framework of BALTHAZAR project that was widely publicized in the mass media, it was decided to conduct additional monitoring in the basin of the river meadows.

Presently 4 independent monitoring programmes are being conducted in the Luga basin:

1. Basin monitoring by a state body (St. Petersburg ZGMS-R); monthly sampling at 2 monitoring stations: in the Luga upstream and downstream of Kingisepp (see map).

2. In the framework of the contract between OOO PG Phosphorit and St. Petersburg ZGMS-R hydrological and hydrochemical surveys are carried out in the river basin to monitor the following indicators: COD, total phosphorus, phosphates phosphorus, total nitrogen; samples are taken within 11 months (January-November) at 4 points:
- 50 meters upstream of the confluence of the Gorsky Brook and the Luga;
- 500 meters downstream of the confluence of the Gorsky Brook and the Luga;
- 500 meters downstream of the intersection with the Verkhovskoy Brook and the Luga;
- in the mouth of the river Luga.

3. Hydrological and hydrochemical surveys of the water bodies in the river basin are carried out under the contract in the framework of BALTHAZAR project by the specialists of St. Petersburg ZGMS-R and the Finnish experts to survey the following indicators: total phosphorus, phosphates phosphorus, total nitrogen within 4 months (March - July 2012.) at 4 points:

- R. Luga, downstream of Kingisepp, road bridge;
- Verkhovskoy Brook;
- R. Luga, 0.5 km downstream of the confluence of the Verkhovskoy and the Luga;
- R.Luga, the mouth, the road bridge (see map),
as well as in other watercourses in the vicinity of the industrial zone of OOO PG Phosphorit.

4. The hydrochemical surveys programme carried out by OOO PG Phosphorit: daily sampling in the Verkhovskoy Brook (in the vicinity of the village of Sala) and analysis of the phosphates phosphorus content.

HELCOM LAND 17 held from 8 to 10 May 2012 (Warsaw, Poland) commissioned St. Petersburg PO Ecology and Business to post full information on its website about the results of the monitoring in the Luga basin in Russian and English languages with the purpose to inform wide public circles (LD 4.7, Minutes of HELCOM LAND 17/2012).