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Project title

DiffuseTools: Catchment Models and Management Tools for Diffuse Contaminants (Sediment, Phosphorus and Pesticides)

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Michael Bruen

Project Abstract

The proposed research will develop catchment models to improve understanding and enhance the evaluation of water quality, building on previous Irish and international research. The models will follow the Source-Pathway-Receptor (S-P-R) concepts to inform catchment managers about potential sources of pollution within a catchment, including identifying critical source areas (CSAs) relating to connectivity, sediment, nutrients and pesticides. It will (a) Review tools to Support Catchment Management, (b) produce a connectivity national map, (c) Improve modelling of sediment and nutrients, (d) map pesticides susceptibility (e) involve international expertise in focused workshops. Particular attention will be paid to 1. Addressing knowledge gaps: Where the initial review highlights a gap in the understanding of the pressures or processes relating to the S-P-R relationships, catchments will be further characterised to quantify the flows along hydrological flow paths and determine the fluxes of sediment, nutrients or other contaminants. 2. Learning from Models: The project will identify the state-of-the-art methods and models that are most applicable to Irish conditions and management challenges. All styles and scales of modelling considered useful for water resources management are relevant to this project and a balance of technical sophistication and operational practicalities will be the ultimate goal. Outputs from this research will include new, revised, robust catchment managements tools, informedby international best practice and focused on connectivity, sediment, phosphorus and pesticides. Project outputs will be incorporated into the CMST Framework used by Irish catchment managers and will include technical documentation and training. In addition, guidance for future development of new tools and maps for the CMST Framework from other research projects will be provided. A final report detailing project methodologies and outcomes with summary report will be provided for the EPA website. The team of 2 full-time and 6 expert associates/supervisors will author 8-12 peer-reviewed publications relating to modelling of connectivity, sediment, nutrients and pesticides will be produced over the two year project (target journals include Journal of Environmental Modelling and Software (iEMSs) and Water Resources Research). Public dissemination through web-site, twitter, and non-technical print-media articles for wide-spread readership The key impacts of this research will be 1) improving the scientific evidence for catchment characterisation and evaluation of measures in the third cycle of the WFD and 2) improving the efficiency of catchment managers through the development of user-friendly, robust and defensible maps, models and tools.

Grant Approved

�349,734.53

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Understanding, managing and conserving our water resources

Start Date

31/03/2017

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/03/2019