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Project Code [2007-WQ-CD-1-S1]

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Project title

Assessing, modelling and managing water and contaminant movement along pathways from land to aquatic receptors

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Queen's University Belfast (QUB)

Lead Applicant

Raymond Flynn

Project Abstract

Development and implementation of river basin district (RBD) management plans requires a holistic understanding of the hydrological cycle and how human pressures may impact groundwater and relevant ecological receptors. Irish hydromorphological and geological conditions make this task particularly challenging. This multidisciplinary study proposes integrating existing research/data with further focused data acquisition employing proven techniques, hitherto rarely employed in Ireland, to better constrain semi-distributive hydrological models, thus improving our understanding of the pathways transporting particulate and dissolved constituents. This research will provide a more scientifically sound basis for focusing resources in RBDs to achieve good WFD status in a cost-effective manner. The proposed multidisciplinary approach will result in a reappraisal of existing conceptual models of the hydrological cycle and pollutant transport/attenuation mechanisms. The revised models will provide a basis for modification of existing numerical models and development of an improved decision support system for catchment management. Web-accessible project progress reports and a final integrated report, describing project findings, will highlight practical implications for RBD management for managers and policy makers. The research?s integrated approach, employing the resources of this and related research programmes, is anticipated to result in a number of internationally peer-reviewed publications addressing basin-scale integrated water resources management.

Grant Approved

�1,999,894.62

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Improve our Knowledge on the State of our Water Resources and Pressures

Start Date

01/07/2008

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/07/2013