phosphorus

Economy | Consumption

Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Environmental damages from nitrogen and phosphorus emissions arise along various impact pathways.

last update on 24.02.2026

Water

Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients for aquatic plants (algae, macrophytes). Their high concentration causes excessive growth especially of algae (Eutrophication). Rivers transport nitrogen and phosphorus into lakes and North sea and Baltic sea and influence its nutrient concentration.

last update on 05.03.2018

Indicator: River eutrophication by phosphorus

A graph shows the measuring points that do not comply with the orientation values for phosphorus for the years 1982 to 2023. These are divided into quality classes depending on the level of exceedance. The proportion without exceedances has increased. The proportion of medium and severe exceedances (QC IV) has fallen sharply.

last update on 23.04.2025

phosphorus

Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Nutrients in watercourses

Indicator: River eutrophication by phosphorus