Using microbiological tracers to assess the impact of winter land use restrictions on the quality of stream headwaters in a small catchment

Abstract

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Linking changes in nutrient source load to estuarine responses: an Irish perspective

“…Further national measures that have reduced nutrient transport to surface water but are, as yet, not covered in the LAM include minimum requirements for on-farm infrastructure for slurry and manure storage, and housing facilities. A closed period for the spreading of organic and inorganic fertiliser during the high rainfall season (15 September to 31 January) has reduced the incidental loss of organic and inorganic fertilisers and has been shown to limit impact of agricultural wastes on water quality during these periods (Flynn et al, 2016). Indeed, this major control of winter application rates was reflected in the trend analysis of river inputs to the Blackwater Estuary, where annual trends were largely driven by winter decreases in N and P (Ní Longphuirt et al, 2015a).…”

Linking changes in nutrient source load to estuarine responses: an Irish perspective

“…Further national measures that have reduced nutrient transport to surface water but are, as yet, not covered in the LAM include minimum requirements for on-farm infrastructure for slurry and manure storage, and housing facilities. A closed period for the spreading of organic and inorganic fertiliser during the high rainfall season (15 September to 31 January) has reduced the incidental loss of organic and inorganic fertilisers and has been shown to limit impact of agricultural wastes on water quality during these periods (Flynn et al, 2016). Indeed, this major control of winter application rates was reflected in the trend analysis of river inputs to the Blackwater Estuary, where annual trends were largely driven by winter decreases in N and P (Nı ´Longphuirt et al, 2015a).…”

Understanding pathways transferring nutrients to streams: review of a major Irish study and its implications for determining water quality management strategies

“…from septic tanks and farmyards) being transported via interflow and ditches. These transport mechanisms also explained the pattern of microbial transport throughout the catchment (Flynn et al, 2016). The critical source areas in these settings occur in the most poorly drained areas, where the diffuse agricultural loads and the density of small point sources are the greatest.…”