Lithuanian territorial waters and economic zone, data set limits: 55 19 - 56 02N; 19 14 - 21 05E

Ammonium and ammonia concentration parameters in water bodies; Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column; Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column; Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column

CTD; discrete water samplers; spectrophotometers; nutrient analysers

Nutrients are one of the most important components of an ecosystem, as a regulator of intensity of biological processes and a symptom of eutrophication in the natural water-bodies. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the hydrochemical state of the Southeastern Baltic Sea, its seasonal and long term changes and influence on water quality, primary production. Systematic research of the Baltic Sea was carried out by Lithuanian research vessels 'OKEANOGRAFAS', 'VEJAS' and 'VETRA'. Since 1984 the research of the Baltic Sea has been carried out according to the Lithuanian and Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) monitoring programme. Nutrient investigations are carried out during every season at a constant network of stations in standard sea water horizons. The data are fully quality controlled. Systematic certification of laboratories, participation in international intercalibrations, internal control, introduced managing system for research' quality, use of high quality reagents determine quality of data. All data is stored in archive (written form) and saved on hard disk.

Department of Marine Research of the Environmental Protection Agency
Taikos Av. 26
Klaipeda

LT-91149
Lithuania