Implementation of the European water framework directive from the Basque country (northern Spain): a methodological approach

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 209 - 218
• Main Authors: Borja, Ángel, Franco, Javier, Valencia, Victoriano, Bald, Juan, Muxika, Iñigo, Jesús Belzunce, Marı́a, Solaun, Oihana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Ecological status; Ecology; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring - standards; Environmental Pollution - analysis; Environmental Pollution - prevention & control; Europe; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Guideline Adherence; Implementation; International Cooperation; Methodological approach; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Quality assessment; Quality Control; Reference Values; Spain; Spain, Basque; Water framework directive; Water Pollutants - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Europe; Spain; European Union; ANE, Spain, Pais Vasco; Methodological approach; Quality assessment; Water framework directive; Implementation; Ecological status; Biotic integrity index; European directive; Surface water; Water quality; Estuaries; Lakes; Regulation; Coastal zone; Seawater; Ground water; Environment quality
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2003.12.001

The European Water Framework Directive provides a challenge in the development of new and accurate methodologies. It addresses assessment of Ecological Quality Status within European rivers, lakes, groundwaters, estuaries and coasts. Although this directive is simple and flexible in its concept, it is necessary to develop an approach based upon scientific knowledge; however, at the same time it should be as simple as possible, in order to achieve both requirements and comparability of results throughout European waters. This contribution presents the first methodological approach to the problem, as used for estuaries and coasts of the Basque Country (northern Spain), in: selecting typologies and reference conditions; determining biological quality and ecological status; and identifying some problems in implementing the WFD. As such, the present paper could serve as the basis for a discussion document for other regions and countries, throughout Europe.