Title: The Distribution Of Phytoplankton And Nutrients In The North East Irish Sea During 1997;
Author: K Kennington
Author: Environment Agency
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: Environment Agency Project ID:EAPRJOUT_641, Representation ID: 211, Object ID: 1973
Abstract:
The results presented summarise the findings of collaborative research between the Environment Agency (North-West Region) and Port Erin Marine Laboratory (University of Liverpool). The objectives of this research have been to monitor the spatial and temporal distributions of nutrient salt concentrations and phytoplankton abundances in the north-eastern Irish Sea. Specific objectives have been to identify areas within these waters that are potentially at risk from the adverse effects of nutrient discharges from sewage, industrial and riverine sources within the region. This is the third year of collaboration between the two organisations and prewious findings are to be found in Allen et al. (1996) & Kennington et al. (1997). Industrial discharges into the region are readily apparent from the data presented and support the findings of previous years. Two point sources of inorganic nutrients in particular are located at Albright & Wilson, Whitehaven and at BNFL Sellafield, where elevated concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogerious compounds are found respectively. Waters along the Cumbrian coast exceeded the guidelines of the Comprehensive Studies Task Team (CSTT) with regard to winter levels of DAIN & DAIP during 1997. The summer concentrations of surface chlorophyll along the Cumbrian Coast during 1997 were generally lower than those reported for 1996 and did not exceed the threshold outlined by the CSTT. The results presented show winter concentrations of nitrogenous compounds in particular to have increased across the region when compared to the findings of previous years. This has subsequently raised the N:Si ratio across the entire region which now exceeds the guidelines of the CSTT and this level is suggested under these guidelines to be prone to future eutrophication. Such an alteration, it is argued, may present itself by altering the phytoplankton community structure favouring non-siliceous organisms and possibly increasing the occurrences of nuisance algae. Discharges of nutrient salts into Liverpool Bay stem mainly from the rivers Mersey, Ribble and Dee and also from sewage sludge disposal. Nutrient concentrations were highest towards the south-east of the study area on all sampling dates. The waters in this region failed the recommendations of the CSTT with regard to winter levels of DAIN & DAIP and to summer concentrations of surface chlorophyll. Winter levels of N:Si (along the coast from the Mersey westwards) exceed the recommendations of the CSTT, suggesting that these waters may be prone to future eutrophication.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Subject Keywords: Nitrates; Phytoplankton; Phosphates; Nutrients; Coastal waters; Silicates; Estuaries; Stratigraphy; Water pollution; Water quality; Surveys; Sewage treatment; Algal blooms; Brackishwater environment; Marine environment
Geographic Keywords: Cumbria
Extent: 113
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4588
Total file downloads: 320
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