Solent Water Body
Moderate ecological status
Get Solent data
Attributes
- Water Body IDGB650705150000
- Water Body TypeCoastal Water
- Hydromorphological designationheavily modified
- NGRSZ6253694364
- Surface area25993.588 ha
- Surface area259.936 km2
- Surveillance Water BodyYes
Classifications
| Classification Item | 2019 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Ecological | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biological quality elements | Moderate | Moderate |
| Angiosperms | Moderate | Moderate |
| Saltmarsh | Moderate | Moderate |
| Seagrass | High | Good |
| Invertebrates | Good | Good |
| Imposex | Good | Good |
| Infaunal Quality Index | High | High |
| Macroalgae | Good | Good |
| Opportunistic Macroalgae | Good | Good |
| Phytoplankton | Good | Good |
| Physico-chemical quality elements | Moderate | Moderate |
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | Moderate | Moderate |
| Dissolved oxygen | High | High |
| Supporting elements (Surface Water) | Good | Good |
| Mitigation Measures Assessment | Good | Good |
| Specific pollutants | High | High |
| Arsenic | High | High |
| Chromium (VI) | High | High |
| Copper | High | High |
| Iron | High | High |
| Un-ionised ammonia | High | High |
| Zinc | High | High |
| Chemical | Fail | Does not require assessment |
| Priority hazardous substances | Fail | Does not require assessment |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Good | |
| Benzo(b)fluoranthene | Good | |
| Benzo(g-h-i)perylene | Good | |
| Benzo(k)fluoranthene | Good | |
| Cadmium and Its Compounds | Good | |
| Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds | Good | |
| Heptachlor and cis-Heptachlor epoxide | Good | |
| Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) | Good | |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Good | |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | Good | |
| Mercury and Its Compounds | Fail | |
| Nonylphenol | Good | |
| Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) | Good | |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | Fail | |
| Tributyltin Compounds | Good | |
| Priority substances | Good | Does not require assessment |
| Fluoranthene | Good | |
| Lead and Its Compounds | Good | |
| Nickel and Its Compounds | Good | |
| Octylphenol | Good | |
| Trichloromethane | Good | |
| Other Pollutants | Does not require assessment | Does not require assessment |
Investigations into classification status
| Classification Element | Cycle | Year | Status | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | 2 | 2015 | Moderate | Certain there is not a problem |
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | 3 | 2019 | Moderate | Certain there is not a problem |
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | 3 | 2022 | Moderate | Certain there is not a problem |
Reasons for not achieving good (RNAG) and reasons for deterioration (RFD)
All reasons (RFDs and RNAGs) attributed to the classification elements in this water body.
| Reason Type | SWMI | Activity | Category | Classification Element | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RNAG | measures delivered to address reason, awaiting recovery | Not applicable | No sector responsible | Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | Details |
| RNAG | Physical modification | Coastal squeeze | Sector under investigation | Angiosperms | Details |
| RNAG | measures delivered to address reason, awaiting recovery | Not applicable | No sector responsible | Mercury and Its Compounds | Details |
Reasons for not achieving good status by business sector
The issues preventing waters reaching good status and the sectors identified as contributing to them. The numbers in the table are individual counts of the reasons for not achieving good status with a confidence status of 'confirmed' and 'probable', where the latest classification is less than good status. There may be more than one reason in a single water body. Note, table does not include reasons for deterioration.
| Significant water management issue | Physical modifications | Pollution from waste water | Pollution from towns, cities and transport | Changes to the natural flow and level of water | Invasive non-native species | Pollution from rural areas | Pollution from abandoned mines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and rural land management | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Industry | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mining and quarrying | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Navigation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Urban and transport | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Water Industry | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Local & central government | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic general public | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Recreation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Waste treatment and disposal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No sector responsible | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sector under investigation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Objectives
| Classification Item | Status | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecological | Moderate | 2015 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens; Disproportionately expensive: Unfavourable balance of costs and benefits; Good status prevented by A/HMWB designated use: Action to get biological element to good would have significant adverse impact on use |
| Biological quality elements | Moderate | 2021 | Good status prevented by A/HMWB designated use: Action to get biological element to good would have significant adverse impact on use |
| Angiosperms | Moderate | 2021 | Good status prevented by A/HMWB designated use: Action to get biological element to good would have significant adverse impact on use |
| Invertebrates | Good | 2015 | |
| Macroalgae | Good | 2015 | |
| Phytoplankton | Good | 2015 | |
| Physico-chemical quality elements | Moderate | 2015 | Disproportionately expensive: Unfavourable balance of costs and benefits |
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | Moderate | 2021 | Disproportionately expensive: Unfavourable balance of costs and benefits |
| Dissolved oxygen | Good | 2015 | |
| Hydromorphological Supporting Elements | Not assessed | 2015 | |
| Supporting elements (Surface Water) | Good | 2021 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Mitigation Measures Assessment | Good | 2021 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Specific pollutants | High | 2015 | |
| Arsenic | High | 2015 | |
| Chromium (VI) | High | 2015 | |
| Copper | High | 2015 | |
| Iron | High | 2015 | |
| Un-ionised ammonia | High | 2015 | |
| Zinc | High | 2015 | |
| Chemical | Good | 2063 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens; Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time |
| Priority hazardous substances | Good | 2063 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens; Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Good | 2015 | |
| Benzo(b)fluoranthene | Good | 2015 | |
| Benzo(g-h-i)perylene | Good | 2015 | |
| Benzo(k)fluoranthene | Good | 2015 | |
| Cadmium and Its Compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Heptachlor and cis-Heptachlor epoxide | Good | 2021 | Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time |
| Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) | Good | 2015 | |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Good | 2015 | |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | Good | 2015 | |
| Mercury and Its Compounds | Good | 2040 | Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time |
| Nonylphenol | Good | 2015 | |
| Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) | Good | 2015 | |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | Good | 2063 | Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time |
| Tributyltin Compounds | Good | 2021 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Priority substances | Good | 2015 | |
| Fluoranthene | Good | 2015 | |
| Lead and Its Compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Nickel and Its Compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Octylphenol | Good | 2015 | |
| Trichloromethane | Good | 2015 | |
| Other Pollutants | Does not require assessment | 2015 |
Protected areas
| PA Name | Id | Directive | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamble Estuary Eutrophic NVZ (TraC) | ET3 | Nitrates Directive | |
| Chichester Harbour | UKENCA56 | Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive | |
| Cowes and Medina | UKSW45 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Eastney | UK16500 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Lymington and Sowley | UKSW40 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Chichester,Langstone and Portsmouth Harbours Eutrophic NVZ (TraC) | ET2 | Nitrates Directive | |
| Chichester And Langstone Harbours | UK9011011 | Special Protection Area | Natural England |
| Solent Maritime | UK0030059 | Special Area of Conservation | Natural England |
| Chichester And Langstone Harbours | UK11013 | Ramsar Site | Natural England |
| Approaches to Southampton Water | UKSW36 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Solent And Dorset Coast | UK9020330 | Special Protection Area | Natural England |
| South Wight Maritime | UK0030061 | Special Area of Conservation | Natural England |
| Solent & Southampton Water | UK9011061 | Special Protection Area | Natural England |
| Solent & Southampton Water | UK11063 | Ramsar Site | Natural England |
| Solent & Isle Of Wight Lagoons | UK0017073 | Special Area of Conservation | Natural England |
| Pennington | UKSW41 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Langstone Harbour | UKSW33 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Ryde | UK17900 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Yarmouth | UKSW42 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Newtown harbour, Mediina Estuary and Eastern Yar Eutrophic NVZ (TraC) | ET7 | Nitrates Directive | |
| Stokes Bay | UK16700 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Lepe Middle Bank | UKSW38 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Central Solent | UKSW46 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| East Cowes | UK17850 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Stanswood Bay | UKSW37 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Calshot | UK16900 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Medina Estuary | UKENCA121 | Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive | |
| Newtown | UKSW43 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Newtown Harbour | UKENCA124 | Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive | |
| Colwell Bay | UK17600 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Ryde | UKSW47 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Beachlands West | UK16400 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Eastoke | UK16300 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Lepe | UK17000 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Lee-on-Solent | UK16800 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Seagrove | UK18000 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Hillhead | UK16850 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Beachlands Central | UK16350 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Spithead and Stokes Bay | UKSW48 | Shellfish Water Directive | |
| Cowes | UK17800 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Totland Bay | UK17500 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Gurnard | UK17700 | Bathing Water Directive | |
| Southsea East | UK16600 | Bathing Water Directive |
Monitoring sites which have been used to classify this water body
Shows which sites were used for classification for which years within each cycle.