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Project title

Development of a methodology for the characterisation of a karstic groundwater body with particular emphasis on the linkage with associated ecosystems, such as turloughs

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)

Lead Applicant

Paul Johnston

Project Abstract

Karstic groundwater bodies have particular characteristics with respect to hydrological flow regime and thus so do the terrestrial ecosystems associated with them. The hydrology is characterized by relatively high groundwater velocities and relatively low porosities but flows are concentrated in solutional fissures or groups of fissures. Those ecosystems associated with karst and typically having protected status under the Water Framework (EU2000) and Habitats (EU 1992) Directives are unique to Ireland in their defined form as i'turloughsi. Turloughs have characteristic hydrological dynamics which give rise to their peculiar vegetation and fauna.A turlough is currently defined as i'A topographic depression in karst which is intermittently inundated on an annual basis mainly from groundwater and which has a substrate and/or ecological communities characteristic of wetlandsiThe aim of this desk study has been to gather the available information and data involving turloughs and their associated karst hydrogeology (as i'karst flow systemsi) and firstly to analyze possible relationships between the limited ecological information and effective hydrological indicators. The second and ultimate objective was to define a risk-based methodology for turloughs to suit the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the assessment of pressures and impacts for groundwater bodies. It should be noted that under the definition above (agreed over the duration of this project) that turloughs are classified as groundwater and their open water surfaces during seasonal inundation are regarded as i'surface expressions of a groundwater tablei. This logic has specific implications in terms of pressures and impacts under the Water Framework Directive in contrast to regarding turloughs as temporary surface waters. The development of this logical framework took some time under the discussion meetings of the Working Groups of the Water Framework Directive but the outcome in terms of a specific Risk Assessment Document is included as a key outcome of this Desk Study.

Grant Approved

�49,920.00

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

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

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a