Eutrophication Case Studies

Question 1

Southampton water

Answer 1

Automated water quality monitoring by buoys
Temperature, salinity, dissolved O, O saturation, chlorophyll, turbidity

Question 2

Soton water blooms 2019

Answer 2

Phaeocystis globosa
Rhizosolenia delicatula
Medodinium rubrum
Surface organic slicks following exceptional phaeocystis blooms in may

Question 3

Red tide

Answer 3

At docks
Mesodinium rubrum bloom in July

Question 4

Lough Neagh

Answer 4

Largest freshwater lough in UK, crucial for drinking
SSSI, protects and RAMSAR
In summer 2023 large reports of blue-green algae which were visible from space

Question 5

Cyanobacteria

Answer 5

Can thrive in diverse conditions and sometimes form harmful blooms, especially in warm, nutrient rich waters
These blooms can produce toxins, posing health risks
Disrupt aquatic ecosystems by depleting oxygen levels

Question 6

LN Causes

Answer 6

Large rise in nutrient pollution run off from land
Increase in sewage discharges and urban waste
Increase in N and P measured

Question 7

LN Sewage

Answer 7

28% of all storm overflows in NI drain into rivers than flow into lough neagh
542 storm overflows and 916 treated sewage

Question 8

LN Ecological consequences

Answer 8

80% decrease in migratory winter birds
66% decrease in insect and snail species
Large decrease in fish species
Very large toxic blooms

Question 9

Catchment solutions

Answer 9

Water friendly agri practices
Urban runoff and sewage mgmt
Wetland restoration
Community engagement
Real time monitoring

Question 10

Water friendly agri

Answer 10

Work with farmers
Install livestock fencing along water courses
Reduce use and safe handling of pesticides
Soil testing
Tree planting
Buffer Zones

Question 11

Urban run off and sewage mgmt

Answer 11

Enhance stormwater mgmt and sewage treatment
Soft engineering solutions with sustainable urban drainage systems
Install reed beds and wetlands to reduce urban run off

Question 12

Wetland restoration

Answer 12

Establish a buffer zone
Filter pollutants such as excess nutrients
Provide habitat

Question 13

Wetland community engagement

Answer 13

Inspire locals
Motivate people to adopt water friendly practices and change behaviours
Empower people to be custodians of river health and advocates for protection.

Question 14

Monitoring

Answer 14

Open access date and monitoring
Enable swift response to pollution incidents
Protects ecosystems and public health