Lilla Värtan

Lilla Värtan ( _sv. Smaller Värtan) or simply Värtan is a strait in Stockholm, Sweden. Separating mainland Stockholm from the island and municipality Lidingö, it stretches from Blockhusudden in the south to Stora Värtan in the north. Two bridges, collectively called Lidingöbron ("The Bridge of Lidingö") stretches over the strait.

While most of the coasts surrounding the strait are occupied by industries and the ferry terminals and oil tanks in the harbour area of Värtahamnen, natural beaches are found in both the southern and the northern end of the strait and the strait forms part of the Nationstadsparken, the national park in central Stockholm popularly called Ekoparken ("The Eco Park").cite web
title = Vattenvård : Sjöar och vattendrag : Lilla Värtan
publisher = Stockholms vatten
date = 2001 (?)
location = Stockholm
url = http://www.stockholmvatten.se/vattenvard/sjoar_vattendrag/LVartan/index.asp
accessdate = 2007-02-02] cite web
title = Vattenprogram för Stockholm 2000 : Faktaunderlag : Lilla Värtan
publisher = Stockholms vatten
date = 2000 (?)
location = Stockholm
url = http://www.stockholmvatten.se/vattenvard/sjoar_vattendrag/pdf/24LillaVa.pdf
accessdate = 2007-02-02
format=PDF]

Most common fish species are Baltic herring, Sea trout, and Salmon. Stationary predator fishes, e.g. Northern pike and Perch, are exposed to raised levels of mercury.

The area is considered an important wintering location for several birds species, including Swans, Eurasian Coot, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Gadwall, and Common Tern. The strait constitutes an important locale, especially ice-free winters, besides the lake Isbladskärret on Djurgården.

Vegetation on the shore lines of Lilla Värtan includes Alder, Purple loosestrife, Common Valerian, Yellow Loosestrife, Reed Canary-grass, Tall Fescue, Lesser Periwinkle, and Giant Knotweed.cite web
title = Strandvegetation vid Lilla Värtan
publisher = Statens Fastighetsverk
date =
location = Stockholm
url = http://www.sfv.se/cms/sfv/vara_fastigheter/sverige/ab_stockholms_lan/tradgardar_o_parker/torphagen/strandvegetation.html
accessdate = 2007-02-02]

Levels of heavy metals and organic waste are high in the bottom silt and nutrient levels high in the water. The level of phosphorus was 29 µg/l in 2005.cite web
title = Totalfosfor - Kust och hav : Lilla Värtan
publisher = City of Stockholm
year = 2005
location = Stockholm
url = http://www.miljobarometern.stockholm.se/key.asp?mp=TS&mo=2&dm=2&nt=1&uo=14#mbContentMenu
accessdate = 2007-02-02]

References

See also

* Geography of Stockholm
* Stora Värtan