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Project Code [2015-W-FS-17]

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Project title

Modelling Irish transitional and coastal systems to determine nutrient reduction measures to achieve good status

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

Lead Applicant

Joe McGovern

Project Abstract

Proposed research entails the application of a fully calibrated and validated numerical model (DIVAST) and the DCPM model in order to identify nutrient loads which will restore a selection of at risk transitional and coastal waters to good status as defined under the Water Framework Directive. The DCPM model will be benchmarked against DIVAST to compare accuracy in recreating past nutrient loads and phytoplankton/macroalgae observations in order to increase confidence in nutrient load reduction estimates suggested by the DCPM model for the selection of transitional and coastal agreed with the steering committee. As the DIVAST model for Cork harbour has been fully validate for a range of environmental conditions, it is considered a suitable benchmark for DCPM. The DCPM model will be applied firstly to transitional waters to determine the nutrient load which restores good status. The same loading will subsequently be reapplied but the transitional water body will be coupled with the adjacent coastal water body in order to determine the biological consequences in the coastal water body of bringing the transitional water body into compliance.

Grant Approved

�140,432.10

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Understanding, managing and conserving our water resources

Start Date

01/02/2016

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/01/2018