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Project title

Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Field by Field Assessment

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

William Magette

Project Abstract

Over the last number of years ambient monitoring of Irelandis water resources has identified an increase in water resources that are considered moderately polluted. The contamination of surface waters by diffuse pollution is particularly insidious. In its recent assessment of environmental quality the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that phosphorus (P) from agricultural sources accounts for over 70% of the total anthropogenic load to freshwaters in Ireland (EPA 2004). As over-fertilisation of grassland is common in the Republic (EPA 2004) this and other evidence suggests that a large proportion of P arising from agriculture is contributed by diffuse sources. Diffuse nutrient pollution from the landscape is particularly difficult to identify and even more difficult to control (Magette 1998). Whatever the strategies employed for combating diffuse nutrient pollution it is broadly accepted that these will be most effective when they are targeted towards sensitive i?source areasi? of nutrients in the landscape (Sharpley et al 1993). It follows that a procedure is needed with which to identify these sensitive areas within catchments. Magette (1998) sought to develop such a procedure specifically for grassland areas in Ireland which make up approximately 90% of the utilisable agricultural area in the country.This research was commissioned to further test and modify as appropriate the ranking procedure proposed by Magette (1998). The primary focus of the research was to be on field scale assessments of factors that in combination would suggest that an area posed a particular risk of losing nutrients (especially P) that would subsequently be transported to receiving waters. The project was meant to complement other i?large scalei? research being conducted under a comprehensive research programme funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and co-ordinated by Teagasc as detailed in Eutrophication from Agricultural Sources LS-2.2 Models and risk Assessment schemes for predicting phosphorus loss to water (Daly 2005).

Grant Approved

�83,315.00

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

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

Start Date

01/07/2002

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a