Fresh waters of EuropeFresh waters of Europe

Origin and formation of waters

The hydrosphere originates from the bowels of the earth through the volcanic gorges. It is close related to the processes in the atmosphere.

Types of fresh waters in Europe

Surface waters Ground waters

artesian

karsts

mineral

rivers lakes

Ground waters

● Artesian - waters between two waterproof layers

● Mineral- water naturally impregnated with mineral salts or gasses

● Karsts – underground waters reach of CaCO³

Rivers

RiversEurope’s three largest rivers, the Volga (1),

the Danube (2) and the Dnepr (3), drain one quarter of the continent.

However, they are relatively small by world standards; their catchments ranking 14th, 29th and 48th, respectively.

Natural lakes

L ake s are u su ally b od ies of stan d in g fresh w ate r, th ou g h th ey m ay also slig h tly sa lty . Th e y are ch arac te rised b y: -p h ysic a l featu res of th e lake b asin, su ch as lake are a an d w ate r d ep th-th e ch arac te rist ic s of th e catch m en t are a, su ch as size an d top og rap h y.

Types of lakes

in Europeaccording their origin

endogen exogenic

tectonic volcanic coastal oxbow glacial karsts

Albano

Lakes in Europe

M o r e than 5 0 0 0 0 0 natur al l ake s l arg er than 0 .0 1 km2 (1 ha) i n E ur o pe .

Thr e e quar te r s o f the l ake s - l ocate d i n N o r w ay, Sw e de n, F i nl and andthe K ar e l o -Ko l a par t o f R ussi a.

2 4 E ur o pe an l ake s l arg er than 4 0 0 km 2 .

The l arg est , L ake L ado g a (1 ) , R ussi a

The seco nd l arg est l ake i n E ur o pe , L ake O ne g a (2 ) .

1 9 natur al l ake s l arg er than 4 0 0 km 2 i n Sw e de n, F i nl and, E s to ni a andthe no r th-w ester n par t o f R ussi a

3 i n ce ntr al E ur o pe

L ake B al ato n (1 9 ),

B o de nsee /L ake C o nstanc e (2 1 ).

Lakes and resevoirs in Europe

Reservoirs and dams

/ human-made lakes/

Dam “Ogosta”-Montana, Bulgaria

Reservoirs and dams to ta l E uro pe a n re se rvo ir s urfa c e - m o re tha n 1 0 0 0 0 0k m 2 ; 5 0 % o f w hic h lie s in the E uro pe a n pa rt o f R us s ia .

T he s ix la rg e s t re se rvo irs a re lo c a te d in the V o lg a rive rs ys te m in R us s ia .

T he m e m be r s ta te w ith the la rg e s t n u m be r o f re se rvo irsis S pa in (a pp ro x. 1 2 0 0 ),

T urk e y (a pp ro x. 6 1 0 ),

N o rw a y (a pp ro x. 3 6 4 )

the U K (a pp ro x. 5 7 0 ).

Ita ly (a pp ro x. 5 7 0 ),

F ra nc e (a pp ro x. 5 5 0 )

B ulg a ria (a pp ro x.2 0 0 0 -b ig a nd s m a ll)

Water abstraction

a p pr ox im a te ly 10 % o f E ur o pe ’s to ta l fr e sh w a te rre so urce is a b str ac te d a n n u a lly .

to e n sur e w a ter su p p ly m a n y co untr ie s ha ve b u iltre ser vo ir s.

S p a in , T u r ke y a n d R o m a n ia - are a b le to store m o r etha n 4 0 %

C y pr u s, B ulgar ia , U kr a ine , S w e de n a n d the C ze c hR e p u b lic - h ig h stor age ca pac itie s.

Water use by sectors

4 4 % o f to ta l w a ter a b str ac tio n in E ur o pe is u se d fo ra gr ic u lture ,

4 0 % fo r in d u str y a n d e nergy pr o d uc tio n (c oo ling in p o w e rp la n ts)

1 5 % fo r p u b lic w ater su p p ly .

T h e m a in w a ter co nsu m p tio n sec tor s are :

irr igatio n ,

ur b a n ,

m a n u fa c tur in g in d u str y .

First main problemWater scarcity and drought

Measures:●The use of economic instruments, such as water pricing and metering ●Water-reuse and recycling ●Increased efficiency of domestic, agricultural and industrial water use ●Water saving campaigns supported by public education programmes

Second main problemFloods

During the last five years in Europe - 100 major damaging floods

Since 2000, floods in Europe have caused:● at least 700 deaths,● the displacement of about half a million people ● at least  25 billion € in insured economic losses.

Third main problemPollution

Prevention Strategies

● The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

(91/271/EEC)

● The Nitrates Directive

● The Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC & 2006/7/EC)

● The Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC).