Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

228 Chapter 9: The Marine Environment Figure 9.9  Trends in Ireland’s total oxidised nitrogen (N) loads (top) and phosphate (P) loads (bottom) entering the marine environment (Source: EPA, 2024b) 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000 55000 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Tonnes P Tonnes N Year Year Increases in nutrients as a result of human activities, such as agriculture and waste water production (domestic and urban), are the primary driver of the decline in the status of our estuaries. Nutrient enrichment has serious impacts in these areas, including large accumulations of seaweed, phytoplankton blooms and declines in oxygen conditions (Figure 9.10). Recent assessments (EPA, 2021, 2022,2023, 2024b) indicate that these impacts are also being observed in coastal waters, suggesting that the persistence of these nutrient inputs may cause wider issues in the marine environment. Figure 9.10  Impact of nutrient enrichment on Clonakilty Bay