Estonian researchers challenged the thoroughness of an environmental survey in the Gulf of Finland for the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline. A member of the Nature Conservation Committee of the Academy of Sciences, Ivar Puura, pointed out that the developers of the gas pipeline have only researched the seabed under the gas pipe route at the depth of five centimetres whereas in order to achieve sufficient thoroughness, marine sediments up to 30 centimetres from the surface should be viewed, the Baltic Course reported.

“In such a case, the results would be more comprehensive; besides, the impact of dioxins has currently not assessed at all,” explained Puura. He added that Russia’s data have also not been included in the report, concluding that on the basis of information available, no adequate assessment can be made.