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CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL SITE, CO. GALWAY
BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY
November 2017
REPORT PREPARED FOR FITZ SCIENTIFIC
by
Bill Quirke BSc, MSc, MCIEEM
Helena Twomey BA(Mod), PhD
Conservation Services, Tullaha, Glenflesk, Killarney, Co. Kerry Tel/Fax 064 6630130 e-mail cs@conservation-services.ie
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Client: Fitz Scientific
Project Carrowbrowne Landfill Site, Co. Galway. Biological monitoring of surface water quality. November 2017
Report No: 17110/F
Date 28/11/2017
Status Final
Prepared by Helena Twomey BA(Mod), PhD
Reviewed by Bill Quirke BSc, MSc, MCIEEM
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CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 4 2 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 5
2.1 SITE LOCATIONS ............................................................................... 5 2.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT .................................................................... 5
2.3 INVERTEBRATE SAMPLING AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................. 6
3 RESULTS ................................................................................................... 8
3.1 SITE G22S ........................................................................................... 8 3.2 SITE G24S ........................................................................................... 9 3.3 SITE G12S ......................................................................................... 10
4 SUMMARY OF MONITORING RESULTS 2004-2017 ............................. 11 5 CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................ 12
6 REFERENCES ......................................................................................... 13
APPENDIX 1 HABITAT AT SAMPLING SITES
APPENDIX 2 CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL GAS WELLS AND
MANIFOLDS SURVEYED MAY 2014 – WORKING DRAWING
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1 INTRODUCTION
As part of the monitoring of water quality in the vicinity of Carrowbrowne Landfill
Site, Conservation Services, Ecological & Environmental Consultants have
been commissioned by Fitz Scientific to carry out biological sampling and water
quality assessment in accordance with EPA Q-rating methodology at three
locations adjacent to the landfill site. Sampling was previously carried out at
these sites by Conservation Services in September 2016 (Conservation
Services 2016).
Sampling was carried out on 8th November 2017.
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2 METHODOLOGY
2.1 SITE LOCATIONS
Biological sampling and water quality assessment was carried out at the
following sites. Grid references were recorded at all sites using a GPS.
SITE GRID REFERENCE (GPS) LOCATION
G22S M 32615 31624 Upstream of landfill
G24S M 32067 31665 Downstream of landfill
G12S M 32206 31159 Adjacent to landfill
The location of the sites is shown on Map 1.
2.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT
Habitat assessment was carried out at each of the three sites selected for
invertebrate/water quality assessment. These sites were assessed in terms of:
Stream width and depth
Substrate type, listing substrate fractions in order of dominance, i.e. large
rocks, cobble, gravel, sand, mud etc.
Flow type, listing percentage of riffle, glide and pool in the sampling area
Instream vegetation, listing plant species occurring and their percentage
coverage of the stream bottom at the sampling site
Dominant bankside vegetation, listing the main species overhanging the
stream
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Estimated summer cover by bankside vegetation, giving percentage shade
of the sampling site
Rating of the site as habitat for trout adult, nursery and spawning on a scale
of Poor/Fair/Good/Very Good/Excellent. This rating assesses the physical
suitability of the habitat; the presence/absence/density of salmonids at the
site will also depend on present and historical water quality and accessibility
of the site to fish.
2.3 INVERTEBRATE SAMPLING AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Samples were taken using a long handled pond net, using standard sampling
methodology employed by EPA at deeper sites. The sample was retained in a
large plastic bag at the sampling site. Sample processing and preservation was
carried out under laboratory conditions within 24 hours of sampling. Mud was
removed from the sample by sieving under running water through a 500μ sieve.
The sieved sample was then live sorted for 30 minutes in a white plastic sorting
tray under a bench lamp (ISO 5667-3:1994) and if necessary using a
magnifying lens. Macroinvertebrates were stored in 70% alcohol. Preserved
invertebrates were identified to the level required for the EPA Q-rating method
(McGarrigle et al, 2002) using high-power and low-power binocular microscopes
when necessary. The preserved sample was archived for future examination or
verification. Based on the relative abundance of indicator species, a biotic index
(Q-rating) was determined for the site in accordance with the biological
assessment procedure used by the Environmental Protection Agency
(McGarrigle et al, 2002) and more detailed unpublished methodology
(McGarrigle, Clabby and Lucey pers. comm.)
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Biotic Index
Water Framework Directive Ecological Quality
Quality Status
Q5 High
Unpolluted Waters Q4-5 High
Q4 Good
Q3-4 Moderate Slightly Polluted Waters
Q3 Poor Moderately Polluted Waters
Q2-3 Poor
Q2 Bad Seriously Polluted Waters
Q1-2 Bad
Q1 Bad
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MAP 1 LOCATION OF BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT SITES (APPROX. LOCATION OF DRAINS SHOWN IN GREEN)
LANDFILL
COMPOSTING AREA
G24S G22S
G12S
Direction of flow
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3 RESULTS
3.1 SITE G22S
This site consists of a large drain; conditions were not optimal for the Q-rating
methodology and the Q-rating assessment is therefore tentative. The
invertebrate community tabulated below merits a tentative Q-rating of Q2
indicating seriously polluted conditions and Bad ecological quality. The
introduced North American snail species Menetus dilatatus, which appears to
be tolerant of anaerobic conditions (Kerney, 1999), was recorded at this site.
INDICATOR GROUP TAXON 2017
Group A - Very Pollution Sensitive
None recorded
Group B - Moderately Pollution Sensitive
None recorded
Group C - Moderately Pollution Tolerant
Bithynia tentaculata 2
Chironomidae (excl. Chironomus sp.)
21
Group D - Pollution Tolerant Erpobdellidae 2
Glossiphonia sp. 1
Helobdella stagnalis 1
Sphaeriidae 4
Asellus aquaticus 9
Crangonyx pseudogracilis 25
Sialis sp. 1
Group E - Highly Pollution Tolerant
Chironomus sp. 90
Not assigned to an indicator group
Lumbricidae 1
Menetus dilatatus 16
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3.2 SITE G24S
This site consists of a large drain with no perceptible flow at the time of
sampling; conditions were therefore not optimal for the Q-rating methodology
and the Q-rating assessment is therefore tentative. The invertebrate community
tabulated below merits a tentative Q-rating of Q2 indicating seriously polluted
conditions and Bad ecological quality.
INDICATOR GROUP TAXON 2017
Group A - Very Pollution Sensitive
None recorded
Group B - Moderately Pollution Sensitive
None recorded
Group C - Moderately Pollution Tolerant
Chironomidae 2
Group D - Pollution Tolerant Sphaeriidae 1
Asellus aquaticus 67
Crangonyx pseudogracilis 57
Group E - Highly Pollution Tolerant
Tubificidae 2
Chironomus sp. 3
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3.3 SITE G12S
This site consists of a large drain with no perceptible flow at the time of
sampling. Invertebrates were entirely absent in the sample taken at the site; it is
therefore not possible to assign a Q-rating, but the absence of invertebrates is
indicative of toxic conditions.
INDICATOR GROUP TAXON 2017
Group A - Very Pollution Sensitive
None recorded 0
Group B - Moderately Pollution Sensitive
None recorded 0
Group C - Moderately Pollution Tolerant
None recorded 0
Group D - Pollution Tolerant None recorded 0
Group E - Highly Pollution Tolerant
None recorded 0
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4 SUMMARY OF MONITORING RESULTS 2004-2017
Results are summarised in the table below, and shown on Map 2.
Upstream of
Landfill Downstream of
Landfill Adjacent to
Landfill
G22S G24S G12S
2004 Q2/0 Q2/0 Q1-2
2005 Q2/0 Q2/0 Q1
2006 Q1-2/0 Q1-2 Q1-2
2007 Q1-2 Q1-2/0 Q1
2008 Q1-2/0 Q2 Q1-2
2014 Q3 Q2-3/0 No invertebrates
recorded
2015 Q2-3 Q2 Q1-2
2016 Q2 Q2 Q1-2/0
2017 Q2 Q2 No invertebrates
recorded
Quality Status Seriously Polluted
Seriously Polluted
Absence of invertebrates
indicative of toxic conditions
Water Framework
Directive Ecological
Quality
Bad Bad
Absence of invertebrates
indicative of toxic conditions
N.B. Due to sub-optimal conditions for Q-rating all Q-values are tentative.
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LANDFILL
COMPOSTING AREA
2 2
MAP 2 Q-RATINGS AT BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT SITES
Toxic conditions
indicated by absence of
invertebrates
Direction of flow
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5 CONCLUSIONS
The watercourses assessed are sub-optimal for EPA Q-rating method. At the
time of sampling all of the sites assessed had imperceptible flow. Whereas the
invertebrate community reflects water quality even under such conditions, the
Q-ratings calculated for all sites are strictly tentative.
Northern Watercourse
Biological assessment indicated seriously polluted conditions both upstream
and downstream of the landfill.
Drain apparently connected to Southern Watercourse
Biological assessment at Site G12S immediately adjacent to the landfill
indicated toxic conditions; invertebrates were entirely absent in the sample
taken at this site.
Signed on behalf of Conservation Services
Helena Twomey BA(Mod.) PhD
28 November 2017
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6 REFERENCES
Conservation Services (2016) Carrowbrowne landfill site, County Galway -
Biological monitoring of surface water quality. Unpublished report to Fitz
Scientific
Kerney, M. (1999) Atlas of the land and freshwater molluscs of Britain and
Ireland. Harley Books.
McGarrigle, M. et al (2002) Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000. EPA.
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APPENDIX 1
HABITAT ASSESSMENT AT SAMPLING SITES
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Site Code G22S
Site Location Upstream of landfill
Grid Reference M 32615 31624
Site Photograph
Width (m) c.8
Depth (cm) c.100
Substrate (order of dominance)
Mud
Flow Type Glide 100% (No flow visible)
Instream Vegetation Lemna minuta 95%; Lemna minor <1%; Lemna trisulca <1%; Apium nodiflorum 5%
Dominant Bankside Vegetation
Grass, Phragmites, Bramble
Estimated Summer Cover of Stream by Bankside Vegetation
Low
Trout Adult Habitat None
Trout Nursery Habitat None
Trout Spawning Habitat None
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Site Code G24S
Site Location Downstream of landfill (Access just u/s road; sample taken at u/s end culvert)
Grid Reference M 32067 31665
Site Photograph
Width (m) 6
Depth (cm) 130
Substrate (order of dominance)
Mud
Flow Type Glide 100% (No flow visible)
Instream Vegetation Lemna minuta/Lemna minor 60% Phragmites australis 10%
Dominant Bankside Vegetation
Phragmites, Bramble
Estimated Summer Cover of Stream by Bankside Vegetation
85%
Trout Adult Habitat None
Trout Nursery Habitat None
Trout Spawning Habitat None
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Site Code G12S
Site Location Adjacent to landfill
Grid Reference M 32206 31159
Site Photograph
Width (m) 10-15
Depth (cm) c.45
Substrate (order of dominance)
Mud
Flow Type Glide 100% (No flow visible)
Instream Vegetation Lemna minuta 100%; Lemna minor <1%; Phragmites australis 5%
Dominant Bankside Vegetation
Phragmites, Bramble, Rush, Gorse, Willow
Estimated Summer Cover of Stream by Bankside Vegetation
Low
Trout Adult Habitat None
Trout Nursery Habitat None
Trout Spawning Habitat None
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APPENDIX 2
CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL GAS WELLS AND MANIFOLDS SURVEYED
MAY 2014 – WORKING DRAWING
Drawing provided by Galway City Council
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0 5
Metres (m)
10 15 20
Scale Bar
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