Coastal eutrophication potential (CEP) measures the potential for riverine loadings of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and silica (Si) to stimulate harmful algal blooms in coastal waters. The CEP indicator is a useful metric to map where anthropogenic activities produce enough point-source and nonpoint-source pollution to potentially degrade the environment. When N and P are discharged in excess over Si with respect to diatoms, a major type of algae, undesirable algal species often develop. The stimulation of algae leading to large blooms may in turn result in eutrophication and hypoxia (excessive biological growth and decomposition that reduces oxygen available to other organisms). It is therefore possible to assess the potential for coastal eutrophication from a river’s N, P, and Si loading. Higher values indicate higher levels of excess nutrients with respect to silica, creating more favourable conditions for harmful algal growth and eutrophication in coastal waters downstream.

• Source/link:
  View web page
• Unit:
  No unit
• Data type:
  Statistics
• Geographical scope:
  World
• Frequency of data aggregation:
  Annual
• Time coverage (from year):
  2019
• Time coverage (to year):
  2019
• Available for download in xls/csv:
  NO
• Can be disclosed in other formats:
  NO
• Interactive map/graph available:
  YES