An Improved Understanding Of Phosphorus Fate And Transport Within Groundwater And The Significance For Associated Receptors

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Resource or Project Abstract

The United Kingdom Technical Advisory Group Groundwater Task Team have identified limitations in knowledge relating to understanding the origin (natural and anthropogenic), fate and transport of phosphorus within the sub-surface and in groundwater, with particular regard to the potential impact on dependent surface waters and terrestrial ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to develop an improved understanding of the origin (natural and anthropogenic), fate and transport of phosphorus as it moves through the soil, unsaturated zone and saturated zone to discharge in rivers, lakes or wetlands.The rationale for this study was, therefore, to synthesise current understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of P concentrations in groundwater and the origin (natural and anthropogenic), fate and transport of phosphorus as it moves through the soil, unsaturated zone, saturated zone and hyporheic zone to discharge in rivers, lakes or wetlands. The project aims to answer a number of key questions:
1. Are observed phosphorus concentrations in groundwater a cause for concern in the context of achieving Good Ecological Status?
2. Is there evidence that observed phosphorus concentrations in groundwater are elevated above concentrations which would be expected to occur naturally?
3. Where groundwater P concentrations are elevated, is there sufficient certainty in our understanding to justify measures?
4. What further research or monitoring are likely to be appropriate to develop the necessary understanding for delivery of WFD objectives?

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Contact Information for This Resource

Dr. Ian Holman
Natural Resources Department, Cranfield University

Dr. Nicholas Howden
Natural Resources Department, Cranfield University

Dr. Mick Whelan
Natural Resources Department, Cranfield University

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Attachment Name and Download Link
End of Project Report    COLLAB_SNIFFER_PhosphorusGroundwater_epr.pdf  (12.91 Mb)
Att 2    SNIFFER_WFD85_Report_executive_summary.pdf   (0.06 Mb)

Suggested Citation Information

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Author(s)Holman, I. Howden, N. Whelan, M.
Title Of WebsiteSecure Archive For Environmental Research Data
Publication InformationAn Improved Understanding Of Phosphorus Fate And Transport Within Groundwater And The Significance For Associated Receptors
Name of OrganisationEnvironmental Protection Agency Ireland
Electronic Address or URL https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=41ecd4c4-345a-102c-b381-901ddd016b14
Unique Identifier41ecd4c4-345a-102c-b381-901ddd016b14
Date of AccessLast Updated on SAFER: 2025-02-14

An example of this citation in proper usage:

Holman, I. Howden, N. Whelan, M.   "An Improved Understanding Of Phosphorus Fate And Transport Within Groundwater And The Significance For Associated Receptors". 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=41ecd4c4-345a-102c-b381-901ddd016b14 (Last Accessed: 2025-02-14)

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Access Information For This Resource

SAFER-Data Display URL https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=102
Resource KeywordsSNIFFER phosphorus Discharge source pathway receptors groundwater concentrations
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project CodeWFD85
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project ThemeWater Quality
Resource Availability: Any User Can Download Files From This Resource
Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this ResourceNo part of the report documents may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of SNIFFER. The report attached should be properly cited if it is referenced in any derived publications or products.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download): 2
Project Start Date Monday 1st January 2007 (01-01-2007)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects Tuesday 1st January 2008 (01-01-2008)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects Tuesday 1st July 2008 (01-07-2008)
Published on SAFERThursday 15th January 2009 (15-01-2009)
Date of Last EditThursday 15th January 2009 at 13:56:42 (15-01-2009)
Datasets or Files Updated On Thursday 15th January 2009 at 13:56:42 (15-01-2009)

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Geographical and Spatial Information Related To This Resource

Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
The River Tamar is located along the Cornwall-Devon border, in South-west England. The catchment covers an area of 928km2, included in which are three major reservoirs. It is predominantly a rural catchment and as a result of the high rainfall and large proportion of poorly drained soils occurring in the region, the predominant land use is grassland for cattle and sheep used in the dairy and meat industries. Changes in land use, farm management, cropping patterns, fertiliser usage and combined drainage operations over the last 30 years have resulted in widespread habitat destruction, degradation and pollution, affecting the water resources and associated species diversity and density within the catchment. The catchment is predominantly rural with moderate relief, draining lower Carboniferous slates, shales, grits and volcanics. Significant alluvial flats exist in the middle reaches and Devonian slates occur lower down. The land use consists of arable, grazing and forestry. The headwaters of the River Lynher drain from Bodmin Moor.

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Supplementary Information About This Resource

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Lineage information about this project or dataset
The limitations in our knowledge of groundwater P impinges upon the ability of the environmental regulators in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland to design and implement appropriate measures to manage anthropogenic phosphorous in a defensible manner. An improved understanding of phosphorus in groundwater is, therefore, required to enable ongoing refinement of risk assessments as well as informing threshold-value-setting, monitoring requirements and the appropriateness of programmes of measures
Supplementary Information
Project funders/partners: Scottish & Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Environment Agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

SNIFFER?s project manager for this contract is:
Peter McConvey, Environment and Heritage Service, Northern Ireland
SNIFFER?s project steering group members are:
Tim Besien, Environment Agency
Sean Burke, Environment Agency
Deborah Ballantine (part), Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Garrett Kilroy, Environmental Protection Agency
Rebecca Kelly, Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research
Links To Other Related Resources
  http://uk.chm-cbd.net/Default.aspx?page=7120&doc_id=11964 (Opens in a new window)
  http://www.sniffer.co.uk (Opens in a new window)

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