Eutrophication, or nutrient enrichment, can refer to natural successional processes in the historical development of lake ecosystems. However, nowadays this term is usually synonymous with what was once referred to as artificial or cultural eutrophication. Earlier in this century limnologists in their attempts to adopt a classification system for lakes introduced the terms ?oligotrophic?, ?mesotrophic? and ?eutrophic? to represent lakes they found to be nutrient poor, moderately rich in nutrients and rich in nutrients respectively. This terminology is now widely used, though definitions can vary among authors. Likewise, the implied relationships to primary production, by algae and other forms of aquatic plant life, are often somewhat tenuously linked to the criteria used in defining lake ecosystems.

Changes in lakes that result from eutrophication can include direct effects on the composition and productivity of planktonic algal communities. Likewise, indirect effects on the various other elements of the ecosystem can include shifts in species composition of microbial, plant and animal communities and effects on fundamental ecological processes. Changes in the physico-chemical parameters, such as deoxygenation of the deeper water layers, can occur in eutrophicated lakes if they become thermally stratified in summer months. Effects of enrichment on lake littoral zones have been less well researched generally, than have those in the open waters and profundal areas of lakes.
In Ireland artificial eutrophication of lakes has become a significant problem since the 1960?s. Various management measures have been adopted to limit the environmental consequences of enrichment of freshwater habitats. Control of many major point sources of pollution is, for example through improved sewage treatment facilities, being progressively achieved. However, diffuse sources of pollution, including agricultural sources of phosphorus, have been less effectively limited. Consequently, eutrophication still remains a major source of concern in Ireland, as it is similarly on a global scale.

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McCarthy, T.   "Investigation of Eutrophication Processes in the Littoral Zones of Western Irish Lakes". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=00404d4f-2060-102f-a0a4-f81fb11d7d1c (Last Accessed: 2024-12-13)

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=223
Resource Keywords	Eutrophication, Littoral Zones, Western Ireland
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	-
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Water Quality
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Any attached datasets, data files, or information objects can be downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source is properly quoted and cited in published papers, journals, websites, presentations, books, etc. Before downloading, users must agree to the "Conditions of Download and Access" from SAFER-Data. These appear before download. Users of the data should also communicate with the original authors/owners of this resource if they are uncertain about any aspect of the data or information provided before further usage.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	1
Project Start Date	Sunday 14th January 1996 (14-01-1996)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Sunday 14th January 1996 (14-01-1996)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Sunday 12th December 1999 (12-12-1999)
Published on SAFER	Thursday 25th August 2011 (25-08-2011)
Date of Last Edit	Thursday 25th August 2011 at 14:40:09 (25-08-2011)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Thursday 25th August 2011 at 14:40:09 (25-08-2011)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
This project was undertaken with a view to providing comprehensive ecological assessments of the status of six large western Irish lakes (Loughs Carrowmore, 960ha, Conn, 5000ha, Cullin, 1100ha, Carra, 1500ha, Mask, 8000ha and Corrib, 17000ha) and to make recommendations on how they might be monitored in future.

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The following is a list of similiar projects and resources on SAFER. Usually these resources share a similiar thematic area to the resource Investigation of Eutrophication Processes in the Littoral Zones of Western Irish Lakes you are currently viewing. You can view the full description for these projects and resources by using the links supplied.

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