Indicators of Sustainable Development

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Indicator: Estuarine water quality, marine inputs R1
Estuarine water quality - percentage of estuaries classed as good or fair: 1980 to 2000   
Indicator Chart
Estuarine water quality
Change since
dots 1970
tick 1990
tick 1997

Coverage: United Kingdom

Source: Environment Agency, SEPA, DoE(NI)

Marine inputs - metals: 1990 to 2002  
Indicator Chart
Marine inputs
Change since
dots 1970
tick 1990
curvey 1997

Coverage: United Kingdom

Source: Environment Agency, SEPA, DoE(NI)

Marine inputs - nutrients and organic substances: 1990 to 2002  
Indicator Chart

Coverage: United Kingdom

Source: Environment Agency, SEPA, DoE(NI)

 
Objective: Reduce or eliminate inputs of hazardous and radioactive substances of most concern
  • Over 95 per cent of the estuaries in Great Britain were classified as good or fair in 2000, with the England and Wales proportion up from 90 per cent in 1990.
  • The last decade has seen a substantial decline in most marine inputs of metals, nutrients and organic substances via rivers and direct coastal discharges.
  • Between 1997 and 2002 there has been an increase in some marine inputs, reflecting a corresponding increase in riverine flows

Page last modified: 21 April 2004  |  Page published: 21 April 2004