Evidence Synthesis Report 7: Investigating the Likelihood of a Lough Neagh Bloom Scenario Happening in Ireland
Authors: Philip Taylor, Ezra Kitson, Linda May, Erica Zaja, Alice MacSporran, Zisis Gagkas, Sara Trojahn and Miriam Glendell
Summary: This study, conducted by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the James Hutton Institute, reviewed the factors that contributed to the harmful algal bloom (HAB) event in Lough Neagh.
This study reviewed the factors that contributed to the harmful algal bloom (HAB) event in Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, in 2023 and assessed the potential for similar events in other nutrient-enriched and nationally important lakes in Ireland. Gaining a better understanding of how all these factors are likely to affect the risks of lakes in Ireland developing the type of prolonged HAB event that has been witnessed at Lough Neagh is vital for protecting habitats and water security into the future. HABs negatively affect the ecology of a lake, as well as human and animal health, making these events particularly relevant to lakes in Ireland that are protected under the Water Framework Directive, the Drinking Water Directive, the Bathing Water Directive and the Habitats Directive. The study concludes that 20% of the lakes in this study (7 of 35) face a high potential threat of serious HAB events due to a combination of factors like those implicated in the Lough Neagh bloom. Lakes with both a high potential threat score and a high potential public and nature amenity value may be of greatest concern.
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