Influence of waters from the Curonian Lagoon to the Baltic Sea

Abstract

The Curonian Lagoon gathers water from the area of 100,458 square kilometers. Every year 14-33 cubic kilometers of fresh water or about 5% of the inflow of all rivers tlow into the Baltic Sea through the Klaipeda Strait. Together with the river water the lagoon receives industrial and municipal sewage. A large amount of fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture has flowed into the lagoon as well as a large amount of dungwash water from cattle breeding farms has entered it. Though, after the restoration of independence of Lithuania, better conditions for the diminution of the river water pollution were provided. During the last 20 years, since 1990 the amount of pollutants has been almost stable. Undeniably, it can be said that the Baltic Sea has been suffering from intensive anthropogenic activities.