The surveys were taken at a depth of 5 metres at fixed stations within 5km of the coast of the Maltese Islands.

Administrative units; Alkalinity, acidity and pH of the water column; Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column; Dissolved total and organic nitrogen concentrations in the water column; Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column; Ammonium and ammonia concentration parameters in water bodies; Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column; Dissolved total or organic phosphorus concentration in the water column

PH sensors; high performance liquid chromatographs; inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopes; spectrophotometers

The survey was conducted at 26 stations in the coastal waters of the Maltese Islands over a period of one year between May 2012 and July 2013. Sea water samples were collected at 5 metres using a Niskin bottle. Nitrites, nitrates and Total Nitrogen were calculated on site using a probe and photometer, since these have a short holding time. They were then verified in the laboratory, where the other parameters were also measured, using the following methods: UNI EN ISO 10304-1:2009 (for Nitrites. Nitrates and Phosphates), APAT CNR IRSA 4060 Man 29 2003 (for Total Nitrogen), APAT CNR IRSA 4030B Man 29 2003 (for Ammonium Ions) and EPA 2007 1994 (for Total Phosphorous as P).

Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Environment Protection Directorate
St. Francis Revelin Street
Floriana

FRN 1230
Malta