On the whole, there has been improvement in some aspects of Baltic health and deterioration in others. Experts on the Aranda say that levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, as well as pollution from commercial fish farming have declined. On the other hand, agricultural pollutants are on the rise.
The biggest worry, however, is the danger of increasing ship traffic carrying dangerous and toxic cargo.
"These ships do carry various poisonous substances needed in industry, and it demands a great deal of caution," Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said on board the Aranda.
Shipping lanes in the Baltic are very crowded, with the number and size of tankers increasing every year. Collisions between ships happen four times more frequently than they should for a body of water this size, say experts. Radioactive Shipments Increasing
Shipments of depleted uranium are also becoming more common through the Baltic Sea. With increasing accidents, environmentalists are very worried about the possibility of the radioactive substance being dumped into the sea.
"This just goes to show that if nuclear power is used in any form it creates new and surprising risks,” says the head of the protection department for WWF Finland, Jari Luukkonen.
The head of the Finnish Maritime Association says the fear is exaggerated.
“The information that I have about depleted uranium is that it wouldn't pose a threat to citizens," says Markku Mylly, the director of the Finnish Maritime Association. "I don’t think they are significantly more of a safety risk than the other vessels."
