• The Baltic Sea borders on nine countries, but water from Norway, Ukraine, Belarus and the Czech Republic flow into the Baltic Sea via hundreds of rivers and waterways.
  • The Baltic Sea is the world’s second largest brackish water basin.
  • The water is replaced approximately every 40 years, and due to the almost stagnant masses of water, the Baltic Sea is an extremely sensitive sea.
  • Another cause of the sensitivity is that the Baltic Sea is a shallow sea. The medium depth is 54 m, and the greatest depth is 459 m. The medium depth of the Mediterranean Sea is 1500 m!
  • The annual algal bloom and the turbid water visibly illustrate the prolonged deterioration of the state of the Baltic Sea.
  • Our sea is suffering from discharge from the agricultural industry,fish farming, the population’s private waste, sea transport and traffic emission, dumping, etc.
  • The water purification system in St. Petersburg has alleviated the situation, but most emission and pollutants are small and scattered - that is why we are all needed to make a change.

Pictures: Turku 2011 Foundation/Peter Silvendoin

Do you want to learn more about the Baltic Sea?

  • Is the Baltic Sea in a worse state than other oceans?
  • What are the worst threats?
  • How could an individual aid the well-being of the Baltic Sea?
  • Which part of the Baltic Sea is in the worst state?
  • What are the most important means of protection?
  • Can we do anything about damage already done?
  • Are there any species unique to the Baltic Sea?
  • Where do blooming algae come from in the summer?
  • What is the difference between the definitions of sea and lake?

Please have a look at the answers on Finland's Environmental Administration's webpage.

Do you want to learn about man living in harmony with nature? Have a look at The Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve.

What is being done to restore the ecological status of the Baltic marine environment? Acquaint yourself with The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.

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