Influence of waters from the Kurshiu Marios Lagoon on the Baltic Sea

The Kurshiu Marios Lagoon gathers water from the area of 100 458 sq. kilometers. Every year 14-33 cubic kilometers of fresh water or about 5% of the inflow of all rivers flow into the Baltic Sea through the Klaipėda Strait. Together with the river water the lagoon receives industrial and municipal sewage. A large amount of fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture flowed into the lagoon as well as a large amount of dungwash water from cattle breeding farms entered it. After the restoration of the independence of Lithuania provided better conditions for the diminution of the river water pollution. During the last 14 years the amount of pollutants has been almost stable. Undeniably it can be said that the sea suffers from intensive anthropogenic activities.