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Project title

Catchment Management Support Tools for characterisation and evaluation of programme of measures

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Eva Mockler

Project Abstract

Quantification of the sources of pollution is essential for a meaningful mass balance model of pollutants within the Source-Pathway-Receptor framework, along with pathway attenuation determined from appropriate science using Irish datasets and catchment conditions. The STRIVE Pathways project developed the Pathways Catchment Management Tool (CMT) with an emphasis on the transport and transformation of diffuse agricultural pollutants within the catchment to the receptor. This research aims to further develop the CMT to better simulate point sources in Irish catchments, thereby simulating the fate of pollutants from all sources to the mouth of the river. This project will build on previous research to refine the calculation of loadings by validating the loadings methodology where possible and investigating the relationships between point and diffuse pollution transported and transformed along the river reach. Following from the annual mass balance approach, the project will further investigate catchments with a dynamic water quality model that can simulate the transport and transformation of pollutants from multiple sources and identify the changes in critical source areas over time depending on hydrological and anthropogenic conditions. Characterisation and evaluation of measures from this research will help Ireland to achieve its WFD targets for healthy water bodies and ecosystems.

Grant Approved

�271,216.11

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems & Human Health (including Drinking Water)

Start Date

01/01/2014

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/01/2017