SILTFLUX Project Literature Review, Sediment Database

& Preliminary Analyses

Michael Bruen, John O’Sullivan, Jonathan Turner,

Mary Kelly-Quinn, Damian Lawler,

Elisabeth Conroy and Anna Rymszewicz

SILTFLUX Worshop No 1

1. Literature Review

• The aim of the Literature Review is to summarise the key issues affecting the important role of fine sediment in fluvial systems, with a focus on Northern Europe, UK and Ireland

The review includes:

• definitions of fine sediment;

• typical sediment sources and delivery mechanisms;

• sediment impacts

(e.g. for organisms and downstream systems);

• land use and climate change effects on sediment fluxes;

• monitoring and analytical methodologies;

1. Literature Review

The review includes:

• fine sediment fluxes and yields for rivers in Ireland (UK & Northern Europe)

• dynamics of storm-event and seasonal suspended sediment transport;

• management implications, examples of standards for various countries

1. Literature Review

1. Literature Review

• Written in a friendly way and supported by number of graphics, photos and examples.

• Excellent source of information for water quality practitioners, research community and public

• Excel database

• Includes suspended sediment concentrations, sediment fluxes, yield values for available research in Ireland

• Sources include journal publications, project reports • Additional info: catchment size and location (RBD,

County), land use, river typology, study period

2. Irish Sediment Database

2. Irish Sediment Database

2. Irish Sediment Database

Content (individual workbooks): • Avaliable studies • References • Sediment meta data • Ouality information • Individual studies:

• EPA/Local Authorities • Illuminate Project • OSPAR reported data • Hydrofor Project

• Current Research

Sediment yields in Ireland: 0.03-0.44 tonnes ha-1 year-1

2. Irish Sediment Database

Catchment Area (km2) Sediment yield

(t ha-1year-1) Study period

Reference

Srahrevagh 0.072-0.204 0.172-0.272 2004-2005 Rodgers et al., 2008, 2011 Mount Stewart 7.52 0.067 2011-2012 Thompson et al., 2014 Dunleer 9.4 0.15 2009-2010 Melland et al., 2010 9.4 0.135 2010-2011 Melland et al., 2010 Castledockrell 11 0.177 2009-2010 Melland et al., 2010 11 0.031 2010-2011 Melland et al., 2010 Dripsey 15.24 0.161 2002 Kiely et al,. 2007 15.24 0.098 2003 Kiely et al., 2007 Glenamong 17.91 0.16 2001 May et al., 2005 Mattock 20.96 0.44 2011-2012 Thompson et al., 2014 Clarianna 29.8 0.085 2002 Kiely et al., 2007 The Oona 84.5 0.29 2001-2002 Kiely et al., 2007 84.5 0.41 2002 Kiely et al., 2007 Owenabue 103 0.256 2009-2010 Harrington & Harrington 2013 Bandon 424 0.142 2010-2011 Harrington & Harrington 2013

Sediment yields in Ireland: 0.03-0.44 tonnes ha-1 year-1 3-44 tonnes km-2 year-1

2. Sediment Fluxes in Europe vs Irish Data

(Vanmaercke et al., 2011) GS- gauging stations, R - Reservoir

2. Irish Sediment Database - Current Research

Dep

th (

m)

SSC

(m

g/l

), T

urb

idit

y (N

TU)

Tullow

Rathvilly

Tuckmill br

Gibstown br

3. Siltflux Data – Preliminary Analises

3. Siltflux Data – Preliminary Analises

3. Siltflux Project Work Overview

• 5 Catchments (7 stations with continuous turbidity data, 2 stations with automatic water samplers)

• Assessment and comparison of performance of turbidty sensors

• Suspended sediment yield and fluxes modelling • Investigating the response of selected biological elements

to elevated silt inputs. • A review of the effectiveness of a sediment-sensitive

macroinvertebrate metric, PSI (Proportion of Sediment-sensitive Invertebrates)

• Assessment of the impact of cattle access points on aquatic biota

Thank You