Internal Loading and Redox Cycling of Sediment Iron Explain Reactive Phosphorus Concentrations in Lowland Rivers.

The phosphate quality standards in the lowland rivers of Flanders (northern Belgium) are exceeded in over 80% of the sampling sites. The factors affecting the molybdate reactive P (MRP) in these waters were analyzed using the data of the past decade (>200 000 observations). The average MRP concentration in summer exceeds that winter by factor 3.

Identification of human fecal pollution sources in a coastal area: a case study at Oostende (Belgium).

From April to June 2001, a monitoring study at Oostende (Belgium) was conducted to obtain an insight into fecal pollution impairing water quality at this coastal area. Eight sampling sites were selected based on the historically low water quality at these sites compared to the remainder of the area. Indicator organisms such as fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and fecal streptococci were monitored by plating.