NOWPAP (Northwest Pacific Action Plan)

NOWPAP Mechanism

-Special Monitoring and Coastal Assessment

- Data and Information Network

- Marine Environment Emergency Preparedness and Response

- Pollution Monitoring

Japan

China

Korea

Russia

Established in 1994 by China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russia as a part of UNEP Regional Seas Programme

Established in 1994 by China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russia as a part of UNEP Regional Seas Programme

Northwest Pacific Action Plan

Geographic coverage33-52oN, 121-143oE

Wise use, development and management of the coastal and marine environment so as to obtain the utmost long-term benefits for the human populations of the region, while protecting human health, ecological integrity and the region’s sustainability for future generations.

Wise use, development and management of the coastal and marine environment so as to obtain the utmost long-term benefits for the human populations of the region, while protecting human health, ecological integrity and the region’s sustainability for future generations.

Ultimate Goal of NOWPAP

The publications prepared under The publications prepared under activities of UNEP NOWPAP activities of UNEP NOWPAP RACs, namely National Reports RACs, namely National Reports and Regional Overviews prepared and Regional Overviews prepared by NOWPAP POMRAC, and by NOWPAP POMRAC, and National Reports and Integrated National Reports and Integrated Report prepared by NOWPAP Report prepared by NOWPAP CEARAC, were the major sources CEARAC, were the major sources of information for this SOMER. of information for this SOMER.

The results published in the The results published in the scientific papers and reports of the scientific papers and reports of the international projects, programs international projects, programs and organizations, including GPA, and organizations, including GPA, GIWA, YSLME, PICES, were also GIWA, YSLME, PICES, were also used.used.

Goals & Objectives of NOWPAP SOMERGoals & Objectives of NOWPAP SOMER To assess the current state of the marine To assess the current state of the marine

environment in the northwestern Pacific, with environment in the northwestern Pacific, with focus on recent changes in environmental focus on recent changes in environmental conditions and on human impacts on the marine conditions and on human impacts on the marine environment and coastal areasenvironment and coastal areas

To identify regional concerns and emerging issuesTo identify regional concerns and emerging issues

To identify gap and needs related to these issues To identify gap and needs related to these issues and the ways to address them in the region and the ways to address them in the region

To summarize actions and measures suggested by To summarize actions and measures suggested by different programs / projects in a way that assists different programs / projects in a way that assists decision makers meet the challenge of addressing decision makers meet the challenge of addressing environmental concerns and issues at both environmental concerns and issues at both national and regional levels.national and regional levels.

Contents of SOMERContents of SOMER Geographical features of the region and the peculiarities of the human Geographical features of the region and the peculiarities of the human

pressure in different countriespressure in different countries

Current Current eenvironmental nvironmental iissuesssues -- Atmospheric Atmospheric ppollution ollution - - Pollutant Pollutant iinputs with nputs with rrivers and ivers and wwaste aste wwaters aters - - Red Red ttides and ides and eeutrophication utrophication - - Oil Oil sspillspills - - Coastal Coastal hhot ot sspotspots and land based sources (LBS) and land based sources (LBS) - Biodiversity and changes in biological communities- Biodiversity and changes in biological communities Emerging environmental issuesEmerging environmental issues - Marine litter - Marine litter - - Persistent Persistent ttoxic oxic ssubstances (PTS)ubstances (PTS) - Hazardous and noxious substances spills- Hazardous and noxious substances spills - - Marine Marine iinvasive nvasive sspeciespecies - Other issues related to land-based sources of pollution- Other issues related to land-based sources of pollution - A- Aquaculture, quaculture, mmicrobiologicalicrobiological p pollutionollution, biodiversity, protected areas, biodiversity, protected areas

Assessment and RecommendationsAssessment and Recommendations

The main The main gapsgaps and and needsneeds related to atmospheric related to atmospheric pollution and atmospheric deposition issues:pollution and atmospheric deposition issues:

Each country conducts its own air pollution monitoring. However, for some Each country conducts its own air pollution monitoring. However, for some pollutants, especially trans-boundary ones, identifying their sinks and pollutants, especially trans-boundary ones, identifying their sinks and sources, as well as their environmental impacts, is difficult without an sources, as well as their environmental impacts, is difficult without an integrated, regional monitoring network; integrated, regional monitoring network;

The environmental impacts of acid deposition require long-term monitoring The environmental impacts of acid deposition require long-term monitoring and observation that should be based on regional initiatives;and observation that should be based on regional initiatives;

Monitoring parameters, methodologies and technical standards/criteria Monitoring parameters, methodologies and technical standards/criteria based on national studies need coordination. The lack of coordinated based on national studies need coordination. The lack of coordinated methods limits joint efforts to address atmospheric deposition of methods limits joint efforts to address atmospheric deposition of contaminants in the region;contaminants in the region;

Trans-boundary movement of air pollutants such as dust and sand storms, Trans-boundary movement of air pollutants such as dust and sand storms, especially in China, Korea and Japan, is a critical issue in the region. especially in China, Korea and Japan, is a critical issue in the region. Additional joint research is needed to predict and to assess dust and sand Additional joint research is needed to predict and to assess dust and sand storms;storms;

Information sources and data on atmospheric deposition of contaminants Information sources and data on atmospheric deposition of contaminants into marine and coastal environments in the region continue to be very into marine and coastal environments in the region continue to be very limited. National data focus mainly on general information about air limited. National data focus mainly on general information about air pollution. Regional joint research and efforts are necessary on the pollution. Regional joint research and efforts are necessary on the investigation of atmospheric deposition of contaminants.investigation of atmospheric deposition of contaminants.

Main Main gapsgaps and and needsneeds related to water pollution issues: related to water pollution issues:

There is some discrepancy in the list of parameters have to be monitored:There is some discrepancy in the list of parameters have to be monitored: - In China nitrate content is not a parameter monitored in river water;- In China nitrate content is not a parameter monitored in river water;

- Oil products content in water is monitored in China and Russia, but in Japan - Oil products content in water is monitored in China and Russia, but in Japan

and Korea is not used in the routine monitoring of surface water quality;and Korea is not used in the routine monitoring of surface water quality;

- - Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) are used broadly for the Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) are used broadly for the

assessment of water quality in all countries except Russia.assessment of water quality in all countries except Russia.

Discussion is necessary for measures to overcome this discrepancy.Discussion is necessary for measures to overcome this discrepancy.

Another issue is an use of unfiltered samples at the surface waters Another issue is an use of unfiltered samples at the surface waters monitoring in China, Japan and Korea. In Russia filtered samples are used monitoring in China, Japan and Korea. In Russia filtered samples are used for dissolved forms of nutrients (N, P) and metals. for dissolved forms of nutrients (N, P) and metals.

There is a group of problems connected with determination of micro There is a group of problems connected with determination of micro pollutants within routine monitoring of water quality. For the time being the pollutants within routine monitoring of water quality. For the time being the reliable data on dissolved forms of trace metals and persistent organic reliable data on dissolved forms of trace metals and persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, PAHs, pesticides like DDTs and HCH) in the surface pollutants (PCBs, PAHs, pesticides like DDTs and HCH) in the surface (river) waters of region are scarce. It does not allow to carry out correct (river) waters of region are scarce. It does not allow to carry out correct evaluation of regional level of concentration of many of these substances, or evaluation of regional level of concentration of many of these substances, or to assess their input to the sea at the regional and subregional level. to assess their input to the sea at the regional and subregional level.

The role of atmospheric The role of atmospheric deposition in the cycles of deposition in the cycles of chemical substanceschemical substances A comparison between atmospheric and river A comparison between atmospheric and river

inputs at the whole basin level clearly inputs at the whole basin level clearly indicate that for Sea of Japan atmospheric indicate that for Sea of Japan atmospheric sources dominate for all components, sources dominate for all components, including the water itself; including the water itself;

In Yellow Sea the situation is different and In Yellow Sea the situation is different and atmospheric input dominates for water and atmospheric input dominates for water and Pb only. For nutrients, dust (suspended Pb only. For nutrients, dust (suspended solids) and Cd the fluxes through solids) and Cd the fluxes through atmospheric input to this sea area (north part atmospheric input to this sea area (north part of Yellow Sea) vary from 26 to 42% of total of Yellow Sea) vary from 26 to 42% of total input;input;

Unfortunately, data on the concentration of Unfortunately, data on the concentration of other pollutants (like trace organics) in other pollutants (like trace organics) in atmospheric precipitation are too rare to atmospheric precipitation are too rare to assess atmospheric flux unambiguously;assess atmospheric flux unambiguously;

The key feature of atmospheric input is its The key feature of atmospheric input is its non-point naturenon-point nature and the precision of the and the precision of the relative assessment is depend on the size of relative assessment is depend on the size of the area assessed.the area assessed.

Relative role of atmospheric input (blue) and river input (other colors)

Sea of Japan Yellow SeaWater Water

SS/Dust SS/Dust

Nitrogen Nitrogen

Phosphorus Phosphorus

Cadmium Cadmium

Lead Lead

AtmoRiverAtmo

River

Recommendations for future regional activities and priorities related Recommendations for future regional activities and priorities related

to water pollution monitoringto water pollution monitoring 1) 1) To harmonize methodologies and procedures of monitoring of water quality by To harmonize methodologies and procedures of monitoring of water quality by

the study of relationships between parameters partly unconsilient for the time the study of relationships between parameters partly unconsilient for the time being: for example, CODbeing: for example, CODMnMn/COD/CODCrCr/TOC, and TN/NO/TOC, and TN/NO33, and TP/PO, and TP/PO44. This research . This research could be done through training courses, and analysis of existing data. The use of could be done through training courses, and analysis of existing data. The use of data obtained by automatic stations in China and Korea for this purpose are very data obtained by automatic stations in China and Korea for this purpose are very desirable.desirable.

2) To take into account the influence of unfiltered/filtered samples use for the 2) To take into account the influence of unfiltered/filtered samples use for the data observed and evaluation of river input for the contaminants bound to the data observed and evaluation of river input for the contaminants bound to the particulate matter.particulate matter.

3) To enhance effort for the obtaining of reliable data on micro pollutants 3) To enhance effort for the obtaining of reliable data on micro pollutants (dissolved forms of some metals and persistent organic pollutants) in the river (dissolved forms of some metals and persistent organic pollutants) in the river and coastal waters at the national and regional levels.and coastal waters at the national and regional levels.

4) To initiate joint research projects on the use of micro pollutants as indicators 4) To initiate joint research projects on the use of micro pollutants as indicators of the initial stage of anthropogenic activity influence on the water quality, and on of the initial stage of anthropogenic activity influence on the water quality, and on the influence of their flux via big rivers on the coastal waters.the influence of their flux via big rivers on the coastal waters.

5) To promote the cooperation and information exchange between different 5) To promote the cooperation and information exchange between different environmental programs in region (NOWPAP, WEPA, NARBO, TEMM, PICES environmental programs in region (NOWPAP, WEPA, NARBO, TEMM, PICES etc.)etc.) because to decide issues (1)-(4) are possible only through the close because to decide issues (1)-(4) are possible only through the close regional and international cooperation.regional and international cooperation.

Red Red ttides and ides and eeutrophicationutrophication (Harmful Algal Blooms)(Harmful Algal Blooms)

Red tidesRed tides are an event of vastly are an event of vastly increased phytoplankton growth increased phytoplankton growth accompanied by water discoloration, accompanied by water discoloration, deterioration of water quality and deterioration of water quality and occasionally fisheries damage. Red occasionally fisheries damage. Red tides are observed in all countries of tides are observed in all countries of the region, but they are concentrated the region, but they are concentrated along the coast of northern Kyushu along the coast of northern Kyushu (Japan) and the southern coast of (Japan) and the southern coast of Korea Korea

Red tides in the region usually extend Red tides in the region usually extend less than 100 kmless than 100 km22 but in Chinese but in Chinese Bohai Sea often exceed 1000 kmBohai Sea often exceed 1000 km22

Most red-tides events last 7 to 10 Most red-tides events last 7 to 10 days, although some have lasted from days, although some have lasted from 1 to 2 mouths1 to 2 mouths

The damage caused by red tides The damage caused by red tides depends on what coastal resources depends on what coastal resources are being used.are being used. Minimum in Russia, Minimum in Russia, but can reach 38 M $ in China in but can reach 38 M $ in China in 1989, 95 M $ in Korea in 1995 or 7 M 1989, 95 M $ in Korea in 1995 or 7 M $ in Japan in 1999.$ in Japan in 1999.

Eutrophication processes in the Yellow SeaEutrophication processes in the Yellow Sea

Eutrophication processes were Eutrophication processes were observed in Bohai Sea throughout observed in Bohai Sea throughout the last 25 years of the 20th century.the last 25 years of the 20th century.

Eutrophication is expressed as an Eutrophication is expressed as an increase in nitrogen and a decrease increase in nitrogen and a decrease in phosphorus and silica.in phosphorus and silica.

The annual mean of DIN (sum of The annual mean of DIN (sum of nitrite, nitrate and ammonia) from nitrite, nitrate and ammonia) from 1976 until 2000 increased by 0.041 1976 until 2000 increased by 0.041 mgN/l with a temperature increase mgN/l with a temperature increase of 1.7ºC (Lin et al., 2005)of 1.7ºC (Lin et al., 2005)

Thus, the averaged rate of nitrogen Thus, the averaged rate of nitrogen increase was 0.0017 mg N/l/year, increase was 0.0017 mg N/l/year, and phosphorus decrease was and phosphorus decrease was 0.00012 mg P/l/year.0.00012 mg P/l/year.

Reduction of dissolved oxygen was Reduction of dissolved oxygen was also observed.also observed.

Oil spillsOil spills

The volume of tanker shipped oil in the The volume of tanker shipped oil in the

region is rapidly increasing.region is rapidly increasing. The risk of accidents is increasing with oil The risk of accidents is increasing with oil

exploration off Sakhalin Island and in the exploration off Sakhalin Island and in the

upper Yellow Sea.upper Yellow Sea. However, the region has a relatively lowHowever, the region has a relatively low

level of oil spill response (Moller, 2002).level of oil spill response (Moller, 2002). Severe accident last fall in Incheon (Korea)Severe accident last fall in Incheon (Korea)

has showed the need to continue efforts has showed the need to continue efforts

to enhance the preparedness – activity to enhance the preparedness – activity

carried out by NOWPAP MERRAC.carried out by NOWPAP MERRAC. MERRAC was established in 2000 at MOERI/KORDI (Korea) aiming to build MERRAC was established in 2000 at MOERI/KORDI (Korea) aiming to build

strong relationships among NOWPAP members and to carry out specific strong relationships among NOWPAP members and to carry out specific activities to develop regional measures that address oil spill response in the activities to develop regional measures that address oil spill response in the Northwest Pacific region. This work is being carried out within the framework of Northwest Pacific region. This work is being carried out within the framework of NOWPAP, with professional support from the United Nations Environment NOWPAP, with professional support from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the Program (UNEP), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU).NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU).

Types of coastal environmental hot spotsTypes of coastal environmental hot spots

Issues Type of Problems Causes of Problems

River input to estuarine zones - Elevated concentrations of harmful substances in water, including suspended solids, bottom sediments and organisms due to additional input with river flux

Wastewater inputs and river pollution

Dumping and sewage discharges

- Elevated concentrations of harmful substances in water, bottom sediments and organisms due to sewage inputs and dumping of solids- Physical disturbance of benthos habitats

Liquid and solid wastes inputs to the sea without proper treatment;

Port activities - Pollution of coastal waters during port operations, and wastes from the ships;- Loss of habitats and biodiversity.

Inefficient management of port activities;Conflict between water users

Aquaculture activities - Pollution of coastal waters within aquaculture farm by nutrients and some other chemical substances;- Deterioration of the aquaculture resources

Excessive high density of aquaculture for given water body;Inefficient feeding, improper management

Mineral resources exploration and exploitation

- Pollution by industrial wastes, sewages, leakages;- Accidental spills; - Destruction of benthos and sea mammals habitats

Inefficient management of exploration and exploitation;Conflict between water users

Emerging environmental issuesEmerging environmental issuesMarine LitterMarine Litter

Marine litterMarine litter became a serious problem in the became a serious problem in the second half of 20th centurysecond half of 20th century due to: due to:

1) hazards to marine animals and birds 1) hazards to marine animals and birds

2) economic impact on commercial fisheries; 2) economic impact on commercial fisheries;

3) lost aesthetic value of beaches; 3) lost aesthetic value of beaches;

5) threats to human health from medical and sanitary wastes; 5) threats to human health from medical and sanitary wastes;

6) navigational hazards for ships; 6) navigational hazards for ships;

7) damage to vessel and power station cooling systems.7) damage to vessel and power station cooling systems.

Marine litter takes various forms, but 90-95% are plastic, Marine litter takes various forms, but 90-95% are plastic,

metal and glass that persist for decades and longer. metal and glass that persist for decades and longer.

Distribution of marine litter on beaches in different parts Distribution of marine litter on beaches in different parts of the region as measured by weight (left, g/100 m2), and of the region as measured by weight (left, g/100 m2), and by quantity (right, pieces/100m2). by quantity (right, pieces/100m2). Source: Adachi, 2006.Source: Adachi, 2006.

Sea currents appear to be a key Sea currents appear to be a key factor in the distribution and factor in the distribution and concentration of marine litter concentration of marine litter along certain parts of the along certain parts of the coastline.coastline.

Northwest Kyusyu and some Northwest Kyusyu and some locations along west Honshu are locations along west Honshu are the most contaminatedthe most contaminated though though some areas along west coast are some areas along west coast are very cleanvery clean

The root cause of the problem is The root cause of the problem is poor management of human poor management of human activities and a lack of human activities and a lack of human awareness of the consequences awareness of the consequences of their behavior and actions. of their behavior and actions.

Persistent Toxic Substances (PTS)Persistent Toxic Substances (PTS) A special feature of NOWPAP region with respect to PTS is the A special feature of NOWPAP region with respect to PTS is the

combination of highly industrialized countries like Japan and Korea that combination of highly industrialized countries like Japan and Korea that used PCBs extensively in the 1970s and 1980s and China's rapid used PCBs extensively in the 1970s and 1980s and China's rapid growth where, until 1983, DDT and HCH were widely applied as growth where, until 1983, DDT and HCH were widely applied as pesticides. Temporary and limited application of DDT to fight malarial pesticides. Temporary and limited application of DDT to fight malarial insects is still allowed.insects is still allowed.

There is deficiency in the reliable monitoring data on the of dissolved There is deficiency in the reliable monitoring data on the of dissolved forms of PTS in the river and sea waters.forms of PTS in the river and sea waters.

Data on PTS concentrations in sediments and aquatic biota are more Data on PTS concentrations in sediments and aquatic biota are more readily available. Elevated POPs concentrations have been detected in readily available. Elevated POPs concentrations have been detected in a wide range of environmental media and aquatic biota (Iwata et al., a wide range of environmental media and aquatic biota (Iwata et al., 1994; Monirith et al., 2003).1994; Monirith et al., 2003).

Change in the frequency of % Change in the frequency of % non-zero results) of different PTS non-zero results) of different PTS in fish and shellfish in Japan. in fish and shellfish in Japan. Source: UNEP Chemicals/GEF, 2002.Source: UNEP Chemicals/GEF, 2002.

The way forward (PTS):The way forward (PTS):

The existing data on PTS level are far below EQS (WQS, MPC) in most The existing data on PTS level are far below EQS (WQS, MPC) in most cases, and from this point of view situation seems satisfactory. cases, and from this point of view situation seems satisfactory.

But reliable data on But reliable data on ““backgroundbackground”” concentration of these substances concentration of these substances will allow to trace and to assess the anthropogenic influence on the will allow to trace and to assess the anthropogenic influence on the surface waters at the initial stages of pollution. surface waters at the initial stages of pollution.

This will help to predict the environmental problems with water quality in This will help to predict the environmental problems with water quality in future and to elaborate measures for diminishing of damage. future and to elaborate measures for diminishing of damage.

The possible approach to decision of this problem is a cooperation and The possible approach to decision of this problem is a cooperation and using of scientific research results within and abroad region.using of scientific research results within and abroad region.

The project The project ““East Asian POPs Monitoring NetworkEast Asian POPs Monitoring Network”” (initiated by NIES) (initiated by NIES) could be the platforms for such cooperation.could be the platforms for such cooperation.

Other environmental problems:Other environmental problems:

Physical alteration and destruction of coastal habitatsPhysical alteration and destruction of coastal habitats – – loss of habitats by different reasons ( fires, poaching, poor infrastructure loss of habitats by different reasons ( fires, poaching, poor infrastructure in Russia, farming, loss of wetlands, urbanization in China, land in Russia, farming, loss of wetlands, urbanization in China, land reclamation and land filling for construction and industry in Japan and reclamation and land filling for construction and industry in Japan and Korea)Korea);;

Marine Invasive speciesMarine Invasive species – – damage for fishing, aquaculture, damage for fishing, aquaculture, indigenous species and biodiversityindigenous species and biodiversity;;

E-wasteE-waste – – contamination of fresh waters by chemicals, including heavy contamination of fresh waters by chemicals, including heavy and toxic metalsand toxic metals;;

AquacultureAquaculture - - habitat loss, damage to indigenous species, risk of habitat loss, damage to indigenous species, risk of bioinvasion, contamination of water and bottom sediments by nutrientsbioinvasion, contamination of water and bottom sediments by nutrients

Microbiological pollutionMicrobiological pollution – – related with summer swimming and related with summer swimming and closely connected with wastewater discharge via rivers or directly. closely connected with wastewater discharge via rivers or directly.

Assessment of current situationAssessment of current situation

A summary of environmental conditions across the entire A summary of environmental conditions across the entire region is very difficult to compile given the diverse nature of region is very difficult to compile given the diverse nature of the countries and their environmental problems;the countries and their environmental problems;

Key environmental stressors affecting marine and coastal Key environmental stressors affecting marine and coastal areas in the region include coastal modification, land-based areas in the region include coastal modification, land-based sources (LBS) of pollution and oil spills;sources (LBS) of pollution and oil spills;

LBS include direct discharge of domestic sewage and LBS include direct discharge of domestic sewage and industrial effluents from major cities and industrial complexes industrial effluents from major cities and industrial complexes into marine environment as well as river and atmospheric into marine environment as well as river and atmospheric inputs.inputs.

Recommendations:Recommendations:

Two issues have been identified by Two issues have been identified by UNEP NOWPAPUNEP NOWPAP as as key to improve environmental conditions in the region: key to improve environmental conditions in the region:

1) coordination with efforts of other international projects/ 1) coordination with efforts of other international projects/ programs/ organizations to develop a common set of programs/ organizations to develop a common set of indicators that can be used to assess changes in indicators that can be used to assess changes in environmental conditions; environmental conditions;

2) development of integrated management approaches.2) development of integrated management approaches.