[{"__ID":1,"ProjectCode":"07-CCRP-2.2.2a","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Research Specialist:","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Shiyu Wang","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2010","Keywords":"Water Climate; Water cycle; Ocean-Air Transfer; Coastal flooding","ProjectAbstract":"The climate system of the Earth can be broken down into a number of components, and permeating all of the climate components is water. There exists robust freshwater exchange between ocean and atmosphere, and it is regarded as one of the most important processes for air-sea interaction, especially for coastal flooding study. The purpose of this study is to develop a regional atmosphere-ocean coupled model system. The regional climate model used in this study is the Rossby Center model RCA3 and the regional ocean model is ROMS. All of these models will be coupled by OASIS4 coupler program. If the flooding occurs in the estuary or harbour areas, the river discharge will be considered inside the ocean model. During the air-sea interaction, the surface heat fluxes, fresh water fluxes and wind stress will be passed from the regional climate model to the ocean model, to drive the vertical motions in the ocean that we associate with upwelling and downwelling events, while the sea surface temperature will be feed back to the regional climate model and affect the large-scale atmospheric circulation.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17667","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17667","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":2,"ProjectCode":"07-CCRP-2.2.3a","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Research Specialist, Analysis of GPS Water vapour observations","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jennifer Hanafin","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"14\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"14\/01\/2011","Keywords":"Atmospheric monitoring; Climate; Water vapour; GPS","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of the project is to provide information about the state of the atmosphere around Ireland for climate monitoring and improved numerical weather prediction (NWP). Retrieving atmospheric water vapour from GPS geodetic reference receivers is a relatively inexpensive way to provide such information in near real-time and a good network of these sensors can provide data over large areas so that both spatial and temporal variability is sampled. This is important for assimilation into NWP models as humidity fields can vary rapidly during frontal passage. Atmospheric humidity is expected to increase with increasing temperature due to global warming which may strengthen the hydrological cycle. The Ordnance Survey Ireland maintain such a network as a reference for roaming GPS devices and these data are being forwarded to the UK Met Office for processing into water vapour as part of the EUMETNET GPS Water Vapour program. The work proposed is to deploy sensors additional to this network that can be used with existing atmospheric measurements to validate the observations to ensure that they are sufficiently accurate for both NWP assimilation and for long term monitoring of the Irish atmosphere. The effect of these new data on the accuracy of NWP forecasts for Ireland will be evaluated at Met Eireann and assessed for possible operational use in the future.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17668","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17668","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":3,"ProjectCode":"2000-DS-5-M1","ProjectAcronym":"WFD","ProjectTitle":"Preparation for the Proposed EU Water Framework Directive (WFD)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kenneth Irvine","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2001","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Water Quality; Policy; River Basin Management","ProjectAbstract":"The decline in water quality in Ireland, highlighted in recent EPA reports, coincides with the recent passing by the European Parliament of EC Directive 2000\/60\/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, commonly known as the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The WFD will, in due course, supersede and amalgamate a number of existing and more narrowly focused Directives which have arisen in response to environmental pressures on aquatic environments. The WFD is all about preserving and, where necessary, improving the quality of rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwaters. This will be done by the implementation of River Basin Management Plans, designed to establish an integrated approach to catchment management. The WFD will require scientifically robust quality standards, relevant to individual European Member States. Implementation of the WFD requires partnership among central and local government, independent statutory bodies such as the EPA and Heritage Council, Non-Governmental Organisations and national and local interest groups. Successful implementation can occur only through well-planned scientific and administrative strategies. The EPA contracted Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and a practising environmental lawyer to review preparations for the proposed EU WFD which are relevant to Ireland. The report which is now complete: 1. Identifies relevant organisations and their potential role in the WFD; 2. Evaluates applicability of existing legislation for the WFD; 3. Summarises previous, and current, research and monitoring programmes relevant for WFD implementation; 4. Identifies the requirements for new and\/or modified monitoring techniques, and 5. Makes recommendations for a national strategy for the implementation of the WFD.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17669","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17669","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":4,"ProjectCode":"2000-FS-1a-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Monitoring Methodologies for the Ecological Assessment of Lakes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ruth Little","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"26\/10\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"26\/10\/2004","Keywords":"Ecological Assessment; Lakes; Reference condition; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of the project is to gather information which will assist in selecting suitable lakes for drawing up biological reference conditions and to develop an ecological assessment protocol for lakes which can be maintained on a long-term basis as a routine part of the national lake monitoring effort. Specific objectives of the project are: The EU Water Framework Directive requires that reference conditions be established for each of the stated surface water categories. For each surface water category the waterbodies will be typed and reference conditions will be required for each type. In order to assist in establishing reference conditions for lakes a detailed sampling of the phytoplankton macrophyte and phytobenthos and macroinvertebrate populations in selected lakes is being carried out. Reference will be made to historical data on these lakes where it exists and information on catchment land use will be assembled. A monitoring protocol is being developed to be used in Ireland for the ecological assessment of lakes which will satisfy the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The project will provide an estimate of the costs of establishing a long-term ecological assessment unit for Ireland. The provision of a detailed assessment of the logistics of the field and laboratory work involved in the ecological assessment of lakes will result in the presentation of an estimate of the costs of establishing an ecological assessment capability. At the end of the project it should be possible to define a fully operational ecological assessment programme for Irish lakes under the EU Water Framework Directive. The assessment teams have the capability to produce regular comprehensive reports on lake ecological status. Reporting systems will be database driven and which make extensive use of desktop GIS systems. Provision of online World Wide Web [www] reports will be an important part of the reporting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17670","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17670","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":5,"ProjectCode":"2000-FS-1b-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Monitoring Methodologies for the Ecological Assessment of Lakes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Rosanna Caroni","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"20\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"20\/11\/2004","Keywords":"Ecological Assessment; Lakes; Reference condition; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of the project is to gather information which will assist in selecting suitable lakes for drawing up biological reference conditions and to develop an ecological assessment protocol for lakes which can be maintained on a long-term basis as a routine part of the national lake monitoring effort. Specific objectives of the project are: The EU Water Framework Directive requires that reference conditions be established for each of the stated surface water categories. For each surface water category the waterbodies will be typed and reference conditions will be required for each type. In order to assist in establishing reference conditions for lakes a detailed sampling of the phytoplankton macrophyte and phytobenthos and macroinvertebrate populations in selected lakes is being carried out. Reference will be made to historical data on these lakes where it exists and information on catchment land use will be assembled. A monitoring protocol is being developed to be used in Ireland for the ecological assessment of lakes which will satisfy the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The project will provide an estimate of the costs of establishing a long-term ecological assessment unit for Ireland. The provision of a detailed assessment of the logistics of the field and laboratory work involved in the ecological assessment of lakes will result in the presentation of an estimate of the costs of establishing an ecological assessment capability. At the end of the project it should be possible to define a fully operational ecological assessment programme for Irish lakes under the EU Water Framework Directive.The assessment teams have the capability to produce regular comprehensive reports on lake ecological status. Reporting systems will be database driven and which make extensive use of desktop GIS systems. Provision of online World Wide Web [www] reports will be an important part of the reporting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17671","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17671","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":6,"ProjectCode":"2000-FS-1c-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Monitoring Methodologies for the Ecological Assessment of Lakes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gary Free","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"20\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"20\/11\/2004","Keywords":"Ecological Assessment; Lakes; Reference condition; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of the project is to gather information which will assist in selecting suitable lakes for drawing up biological reference conditions and to develop an ecological assessment protocol for lakes which can be maintained on a long-term basis as a routine part of the national lake monitoring effort. Specific objectives of the project are: The EU Water Framework Directive requires that reference conditions be established for each of the stated surface water categories. For each surface water category the waterbodies will be typed and reference conditions will be required for each type. In order to assist in establishing reference conditions for lakes a detailed sampling of the phytoplankton macrophyte and phytobenthos and macroinvertebrate populations in selected lakes is being carried out. Reference will be made to historical data on these lakes where it exists and information on catchment land use will be assembled. A monitoring protocol is being developed to be used in Ireland for the ecological assessment of lakes which will satisfy the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The project will provide an estimate of the costs of establishing a long-term ecological assessment unit for Ireland. The provision of a detailed assessment of the logistics of the field and laboratory work involved in the ecological assessment of lakes will result in the presentation of an estimate of the costs of establishing an ecological assessment capability. At the end of the project it should be possible to define a fully operational ecological assessment programme for Irish lakes under the EU Water Framework Directive. The assessment teams have the capability to produce regular comprehensive reports on lake ecological status. Reporting systems will be database driven and which make extensive use of desktop GIS systems. Provision of online World Wide Web [www] reports will be an important part of the reporting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17672","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17672","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":7,"ProjectCode":"2000-FS-1d-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Monitoring Methodologies for the Ecological Assessment of Lakes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Karol Donnelly","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/10\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"09\/10\/2004","Keywords":"Ecological Assessment; Lakes; Reference condition; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of the project is to gather information which will assist in selecting suitable lakes for drawing up biological reference conditions and to develop an ecological assessment protocol for lakes which can be maintained on a long-term basis as a routine part of the national lake monitoring effort. Specific objectives of the project are: The EU Water Framework Directive requires that reference conditions be established for each of the stated surface water categories. For each surface water category the waterbodies will be typed and reference conditions will be required for each type. In order to assist in establishing reference conditions for lakes a detailed sampling of the phytoplankton macrophyte and phytobenthos and macroinvertebrate populations in selected lakes is being carried out. Reference will be made to historical data on these lakes where it exists and information on catchment land use will be assembled. A monitoring protocol is being developed to be used in Ireland for the ecological assessment of lakes which will satisfy the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The project will provide an estimate of the costs of establishing a long-term ecological assessment unit for Ireland. The provision of a detailed assessment of the logistics of the field and laboratory work involved in the ecological assessment of lakes will result in the presentation of an estimate of the costs of establishing an ecological assessment capability. At the end of the project it should be possible to define a fully operational ecological assessment programme for Irish lakes under the EU Water Framework Directive. The assessment teams have the capability to produce regular comprehensive reports on lake ecological status. Reporting systems will be database driven and which make extensive use of desktop GIS systems. Provision of online World Wide Web [www] reports will be an important part of the reporting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17673","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17673","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":8,"ProjectCode":"2000-FS-2-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Reference Conditions and Eutrophication Impacts in Irish Rivers: Meeting the Requirements of the Proposed EU Water Framework Directive","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Aisling Walsh","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"25\/09\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"25\/12\/2005","Keywords":"Rivers; Water Framework Directive; Reference Conditions","ProjectAbstract":"The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires ecological assessment of Irish rivers relative to reference conditions. Because of human impacts on the environment, it can prove difficult to find pristine rivers of high ecological quality - a problem particularly prevalent in Europe's mainland. The EPA's River Quality Rating System has been used since 1970 for the ecological assessment of Irish rivers. This system provides a useful set of historical reference conditions for Irish rivers with, perhaps, Q5 representing reference conditions as defined by the Water Framework Directive. There is a need, however, for an in-depth analysis of the impacts of eutrophication on river ecosystems relative to the reference or pristine state. River water quality trends show that many rivers have declined in quality over the past 30 years. There has been a notable loss of species and widespread eutrophication of Irish rivers. In establishing reference conditions, therefore, understanding the detailed mechanisms by which eutrophication affects river ecology is of key importance in the Irish context. Project FS-2 has selected a number of near-pristine reference river sites for detailed study. These sites still have ideal conditions for the most sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa. In addition a range of sites which have departed from reference conditions in the recent past are being studied. These latter sites now lack the key sensitive taxa previously found there but they were close to pristine in surveys carried out in the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s. The research is attempting to define the gradient from pristine to eutrophic in a range of river types in order to provide a thorough understanding of what constitutes true reference conditions across a range of river ecotypes within the Irish Ecoregion. The Irish Quality Rating System is particularly sensitive to eutrophication impacts. The changes in the early stages of eutrophication may be quite subtle, perhaps affecting the balance of algal species at the base of the food chain or affecting, for example, the physical nature of the environment through siltation. Thus, the study is attempting to obtain a more detailed understanding of such effects in order to be able to better define true reference conditions for rivers as required by the WFD. The project is being undertaken as an EPA Research Fellowship over three years beginning in October 2000 (enabling a graduate the opportunity to prepare a PhD thesis). The research fellow is working in conjunction with the EPA's river biologists. The project will benefit from liaison with other related research projects such as Fish Stocks and Q-values (MS-4) and the pilot project on Ecological Assessment of Lakes (FS-1).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17674","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17674","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":9,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-1a-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Environmentally Sustainable Conversion Options for Large Volume Organic Wastes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Martin Leahy","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2004","Keywords":"Nutrients; Pathogens; Agricultural waste; Landspreading","ProjectAbstract":"Existing use of agricultural wastes and residues, for example excessive landspreading, has caused significant environmental damage. Enrichment of water bodies with nutrients (phosphates and nitrates), the risk of pathogens, CO2 and ammonia emissions are some of the problems associated with farmyard waste disposal methods in use today. Various solutions have been suggested and further progress can now only be made through the analysis of real information from trials and demonstrations.We have chosen to work with poultry manure as the priority waste. The Kantoher Poultry Producers Association (KPPA), located in County Limerick, has been very pro-active in finding an alternative disposal option and has already produced a report on the problem. A study of this particular case may simultaneously provide a solution for other complementary wastes. Approximately 60,000 tonnes of poultry waste is produced annually in Limerick. The aim is to develop, demonstrate and test an innovative practical cost-effective treatment system for poultry waste that will minimise and abate the impact of landspreading activities. We further wish to recover the energy from the waste, thus displacing the air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases associated with non-renewable energy sources and using the energy to heat the poultry houses. The possibility that electricity may also be produced from the organic waste will also be investigated. The primary target is the trial and demonstration of the optimum conversion facility, within the confines of the available budget. Resources will also be provided for the study of impact and feasibility of proposed systems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17675","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17675","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":10,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.1.1a-M","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Soil and Phosphorus","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gerard Kiely","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"30\/04\/2005","Keywords":"Catchment; Agriculture; Phosphorus; Soils","ProjectAbstract":"This report summarises the aims methods results conclusions and recommendations of the sub-project LS-2.1.1a (Soil and Phosphorus: Catchment Studies). The aim of the project was to investigate the processes responsible for phosphorus (P) transfer from fertilised grassland soils to streams and to investigate the patterns of such transfers in three catchments (Dripsey County Cork; Clarianna County Tipperary and Oona County Tyronne). This sub-project was one of six that formed the LS-2.1 project: which aimed at measuring the absolute and relative losses of phosphorus from soil grazed pastures slurry and fertiliser spreading and farmyards. The LS-2.1 project is part of the large scale research project LS-2 i- Eutrophication from Agriculture sources. The objective of this large-scale integrated research project commissioned in 2000 was to supply scientific data to underpin appropriate actions or measures that might be used in the implementation of national policy for reducing nutrient losses to waters from agricultural sources. The research including desk laboratory field plot farm and catchment studies was conducted by teams in Teagasc the National Universities of Dublin Cork and Galway; Trinity College Dublin; University of Limerick and the University of Ulster at Coleraine.The LS-2.2 project - Models and risk assessment schemes for predicting phosphorus loss to water - aimed to develop three modelling approaches that explored the sources of phosphorus and the hydrology that transports it from land to water. The LS-2.3 project - Effects of agricultural practices on Nitrate leaching which aimed at measuring nitrate leaching from an intensively managed dairy farm on a soil type typical of a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17676","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17676","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":11,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS2.1.1b-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Soil and Phosphorus","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen Carton","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2004","Keywords":"Eutrophication; Agriculture; Phosphorus and Nitrogen; Soil","ProjectAbstract":"1. Title Soil and Phosphorus - Integration 2. Objectives: Identify the relative contribution of the major variables, in three selected catchments that influence P loss from soil to water and integrate these with the results from the other relevant Group 2.1 and Group 2.2 projects in Euthrophication from Agriculture Sources (2000-LS-2-M2). Study the mechanisms of increasing P concentrations in water with increasing flow and the factors influencing this phenomenon under local environmental conditions. Integrate the results of the P load loss for the three catchments (results from 2.1.1a).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17677","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17677","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":12,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.1.2-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Grazed Pastures","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen Carton","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2004","Keywords":"Eutrophication; Agriculture; Phosphorus and Nitrogen; Grazed Pastures","ProjectAbstract":"The objectives of this project are as follows: 1. Measure the P (and N) loss from grazed and cut grassland on a number of soils taking account the most important influencing variables; 2. Identify the most important factors influencing P loss from soil to water under grazed grassland conditions; 3. Investigate at laboratory scale the interactions between physical, chemical and biological processes in the soil which affect P fluxes and loss to water under grazing conditions; 4. Recommend possible remedial actions necessary to reduce P loss to water from grazed grassland, based on the results obtained and other available information. Most of the work on this project will be carried at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle. A temporary research officer and a Walsh Fellow will work as part of this team.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17678","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17678","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":13,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.1.3-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Slurry Spreading","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Declan Ryan","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2003","Keywords":"Agriculture; Nutrient Loss; Rainfall; Mapping","ProjectAbstract":"Previous studies have shown that P and N can be lost to water by overland flow following slurry applications to agricultural land. The quantities of nutrient lost depend on the timing and intensity of rainfall events, soil hydrology and the quantity of slurry applied to the land. The loss of nutrient remains high even if heavy rain does not fall for up to six weeks after spreading. This project will include a review of aspects of hydrology, meteorology and spreading technology to define criteria for ranking conditions which contribute to nutrient loss. Overland flow data from previous slurry spreading trials will be analysed and published. The information gathered will be summarised in two maps, one showing regional slurry spreading opportunities and the other showing regional requirements for slurry storage.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17679","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17679","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":14,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.1.4-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Fertiliser Spreading","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Declan Ryan","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"30\/04\/2005","Keywords":"Phosphorus; Nitrogen; Fertiliser; Nutrient loss","ProjectAbstract":"The application of fertiliser can result in the loss of P and N from fields when there is a transporting agent such as overland flow to carry nutrients into drains or surface water. This may cause pollution. The quantities of nutrient lost depend on the timing and intensity of rainfall events, soil hydrology, and the chemistry and application rates of fertiliser. This project will include a review of aspects of hydrology, meteorology and spreading technology to define criteria for ranking conditions, which contribute to nutrient loss. A survey of fertiliser use will extend an earlier study of Irish supplies. Overland flow data from previous slurry spreading trials will be analysed and published. The information gathered will be used to rank the principal causes of pollution associated with spreading fertiliser.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17680","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17680","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":15,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.1.6-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Environmental Soil P Test","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen Carton","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2003","Keywords":"Eutrophication; Agriculture; Phosphorus and Nitrogen; Soil ","ProjectAbstract":"Ireland employs the Morgan's soil P test to measure plant available P, for agronomic advise using a sampling depth of 10 cm, to rapidly estimate the quantity of plant-available P in soil. The interpretation of soil test results for P has focused on predicting the likelihood of a crop response to P added in fertilizers, manures or other soil amendments, rather than predicting the potential for P loss from fields to water. The objective of this research is to develop an environmental soil P test which reflects the process of P loss from soil to water in the field during rainfall events. The research will determine the effect of varying soil sample depths, employing different soil P extractants, and also an investigation into different solution to soil ratios. Field studies will also be conducted to determine the relationship between soil test P levels in soil and both dissolved reactive P and suspended solids in overland water.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17681","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17681","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":16,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.1.7-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Relative Eutrophic Effects of Seasonal Discharges of Phosphate to Water Bodies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kenneth Irvine","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"31\/08\/2001","Keywords":"Phosphorus; Pollution source; Freshwater system; Mitigation","ProjectAbstract":"Phosphorus is considered to be the main limitating nutrient for primary production in most freshwater systems. Long-term increases in the concentration of phosphorus have occurred in many rivers and lakes in recent decades. External supplies of nutrients to surface waters can originate from point sources which are localised and more readily monitored and controlled and non-point sources which are diffuse and much more difficult to monitor and regulate. Reductions in phosphorus inputs from point sources do not always reduce phosphorus concentrations in surface waters. While internal loading from sediments may be a factor in the maintenance of phosphorus availability in these systems diffuse losses from agricultural sources are considered the major cause. i Export and utilisation of phosphorus show considerable temporal variation. Much of this variation is related directly and indirectly to climatic factors. Direct effects include the dominant role of rainfall in hydrology and phosphorus transport and the influence of temperature and light availability on chemical and biological cycles. Indirect effects include seasonal variations in land-use and agricultural management of particularly in Ireland grazing patterns and slurry disposal.i In pristine systems the flux of phosphorus from the catchment to surface waters is mainly determined by the flow of water through the system and the underlying geology. Losses from these systems are generally low and occur by leaching over very long time periods. In general lower phosphorus export is recorded in waters draining igneous catchments than from those with a sedimentary geology. i Atmospheric deposition may represent a significant source of phosphorus particularly in oligotrophic catchments. In nutrient-poor systems concentrations in rainwater may exceed those in runoff. Seasonal differences in phosphorus load from precipitation are relatively small in areas remote from intensive agricultural activity and urban centres. In heavily fertilised agricultural areas however the instantaneous phosphorus load from the atmosphere may be higher during the growing season than during the winter. i The major point source of phosphorus in urbanised areas is from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Improvements in treatment facilities required by EU regulations and the introduction of phosphorus free detergents are leading to a marked reduction in phosphorus from this source. While there may be some temporal variation in the phosphorus load from these sources there is generally no seasonal pattern.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17682","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17682","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":17,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.2.1-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Field by Field Assessment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"William Magette","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/07\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2006","Keywords":"Eutrophication; Agriculture; Phosphorus and Nitrogen; Nutrient loss","ProjectAbstract":"This project will critically examine Magette's (1998) Ranking Schemes for the risks of losing N and P from the landscape to water resources. Magette's schemes include an assessment of pollutant loss risks associated with farmyards. Cost and time constraints prohibit field-scale and farmyard-scale water quality monitoring for this sub-project. Making use of existing data sources (e.g. Derg-Ree and Three Rivers Catchment Management Studies) and integrating this sub-project with other components will ameliorate these unfortunate limitations. Magette's ranking schemes will be evaluated at two levels of detail. An intensive evaluation will be conducted on 3 small catchments of diverse physical characteristics: the Oona catchment (Northern Ireland), the Dripsey catchment (Co. Cork), and the Clarianna catchment (Co. Tipperary). These catchments will be examined in detail under other sub-projects. Sub-project leaders of these studies have agreed to tailor data collection on nutrient use and physical catchment characteristics to match the requirements of Magette's ranking schemes. These catchments will thus provide comprehensive data sets for use in evaluating the ranking schemes. In particular owing to their size, these catchments will make it feasible to visit each farmyard and conduct a detailed assessment as prescribed in the rank schemes.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17683","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17683","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":18,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2.2.2-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Modelling P Losses from Soils","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen Carton","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2005","Keywords":"Eutrophication; Agriculture; Phosphorus loss; Soils","ProjectAbstract":"This project will focus on developing and validating models which predict phosphorus (P) loss from soil to water. The project has adopted two parallel but complimentary streams of modelling research. These are process-based models and empirical or predictive models. The distributed catchment models SHETRAN, SWAT and BASINS will include a phosphorus component which predicts event-based P loading to surface waters which are spatially distributed in a catchment. The empirical approach combines risk assessment precepts and statistical techniques to derive a model based on catchment characteristics such as soil type, land use, topography to predict river P levels. The project will utilise water quality and stream flow data collected from other EPA RTDI studies (2.1.1) and also from the catchment management and monitoring studies of the Lough Derg\/Ree and the Three Rivers Project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17684","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17684","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":19,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS2.3.1.1M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Effects of Agrictural Practices on Nitrate Leaching - Farm Scale Work Package","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen Carton","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2005","Keywords":"Eutrophication; Agriculture; Phosphorus and Nitrogen; Nitrogen Leaching","ProjectAbstract":"The sources pathways and impacts of diffuse nutrient losses from agriculture including nitrate (NO3) leaching that contribute to eutrophication of water-bodies have been studied internationally for at least three decades. The European Union has introduced legislative controls to address them (EC 2000 and EEC 1991). Water quality in Ireland is generally good compared with many other European countries. However eutrophication remains probably Ireland's most serious environmental pollution problem (EPA 2002). While progress is being made in addressing the issues there remains a significant challenge in achieving the required balance between sustainable production and environmental protection not least because grassland agriculture takes place in an open environment with variable soils and weather that are generally outside the control of the farmer. In address this challenge there is a need to develop tools that can link production with N losses to the environment. The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research was contracted to undertake this study which was to develop its NYCLE empirical modelling approach (Scholefield et al. 1991) that would predict N fluxes from Irish grassland systems and provide outputs of leached denitrified volatilised mineralised and milk N at farm scale. The steps required to develop NCYCLE_IRL involved a review of the literature and ongoing experiments on N cycling in Irish agroecosystems the update and creation of new sub-model routines the creation of a new interface with an object- oriented programming language (DELPHI 5) and the validation of some of the N pathways with Irish data.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17685","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17685","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":20,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS2.3.1.2M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agriculture Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Effects of Agrictural Practices on Nitrate Leaching - Leaching Soil Investigation Work Package","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Mulqueen","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2005","Keywords":"Eutropication; Agriculture; Water quality; Leaching","ProjectAbstract":"Much of the intensive dairy farming in Ireland is located on free-draining unsaturated soils overlying important aquifers. This study was undertaken to measure the concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) in soil pore water following land spreading of fertiliser nitrogen (N), dirty water and farm slurry to grassland on a free draining sandy loam overlying a limestone aquifer. Three rates of fertiliser-N, dirty water and farm slurry corresponding to high, medium and low were applied. Chemical fertiliser-N, dirty water and farm slurry were applied at the same times as those applied on an adjoining intensively managed dairy farm. Ten experimental field plots including one control plot were laid out following a geotechnical survey to establish soil depth and characteristics. There was no evidence of cracks fissures or macropores below the topsoil (0.3 i- 0.4 m thick). The plots were instrumented to 3 m depth with (i) porousceramic suction samplers to sample the soil pore water at various depths; (ii) tensiometers to measure the pressures of the soil pore water and (iii) neutron probeaccess tubes to estimate soil water contents at different depths. Pore water samples were taken weekly during the summer and twice weekly during the winter and analysed for NO3-N; pore water pressures and soil water content were measured at the same time as the soil pore water samples were withdrawn. Over the two year period of measurement the NO3-N concentrations in the pore water of the control the low N fertiliser (174 kg \/ha.) and medium N fertiliser (286 kg \/ha.) were low in general. However there was a tendency for higher NO3-N concentrations in the pore water of the medium fertiliser treatment in spring following late September and late January -early February N applications. The high N fertiliser (387 kg \/hectare) gave rise to high NO3-N in the soil pore water. The NO3-N concentrations in the soil pore water generally showed no response to summer and winter applications of low (10 mm) dairywaste water applications. Similarly medium (25 mm) and high (50 mm) rates of dairy wastewater in summer had little effect on NO3-N concentrations in the soil pore water. However applications of medium (25 mm) and high (50 mm) rates in winter increasedthe NO3-N concentrations of the soil pore water to high levels. None of the slurry applications of low (15 m3\/ha) medium (30 m3\/ha) and high (45 m3\/ha) had a significant effect on soil pore water NO3-N concentrations. LEACHN modelling gavefair agreement between measured and modelled NO3-N concentrations in the soil porewater following low medium and high dirty water applications. High initial NO3-Nconcentrations in the soil pore water at the start of the study at depths greater than 1.5m declined to low levels over an 18 to 24 month period and are continuing to decline in 9 of the 10 study plots. This indicates that high NO3-N concentrations in soil decline quickly under Irish recharge conditions. There was very good agreement between the calculated depth of travel of NO3-N solutions in the soil assuming piston flow (also called plug) and the measured depth of travel. This agreement was obtained at 10 locations for 13 events confirming the absence of by-pass or macropore flow in the soil at the experimental site.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17686","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17686","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":21,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS2.3.1.3M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agricultural Sources (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) - Effects of Agricultural Practices on Nitrate Leaching - Groundwater Work Package","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Johnston","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2006","Keywords":"Eutropication; Agriculture; Nitrate Leaching; Groundwater","ProjectAbstract":"Groundwater is the usual receiving environment for nitrates leaching from near-surface soils. However, as a receptor, groundwater is dynamic and may at times be relatively remote from the leaching source soil. Understanding the cause-effect link between source and receptor is fundamental to the evaluation of the impact of agricultural practice on groundwater quality, nitrate concentrations in particular. What has been established is that nitrate concentrations in groundwaters and surface waters have been increasing over recent decades in many parts of Europe. In Ireland, these increases have been marked since the intensification of agriculture which has occurred over the past 30 years although a change in agricultural practice is not the only contributor to this deterioration in quality. With respect to groundwater, the cause for concern is twofold. Firstly from increased nitrate concentrations in water supply as a possible public health hazard and secondly, as a contributing factor to increased eutrophication in rivers and lakes. Both these issues are already recognized and reflected in a number of EU Directives and National legislation aimed at the direct or indirect control of releases to the natural environment (eg the Nitrate Directive, Drinking Water Quality Regulations and the Groundwater Directive). More recently, the draft Water Framework Directive is attempting to establish management on a hydrological catchment basis with ecology as the key criterion. Thus the quality and quantity of the surface and groundwaters are defined in terms of their impact on established ecologies. The quantification of the agricultural sources of nitrates in this context is important for ultimate sustainable management of the natural environment. A considerable body of research already exists (Jarvis,1999) on establishing nitrate dynamics in a variety of agricultural systems, including those in Ireland. However, the capacity to predict rates of nitrogen arrival at a surface or groundwater body has been elusive, mainly due to the complexity of the nitrogen dynamics. Nevertheless, in spite of these uncertainties, the approach to such prediction necessarily has to be based on a risk-based strategy (Johnston et al,1998), identifying and utilizing the key controlling factors in a simple model. It is this philosophy that underpins the concept of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) arising from the EU Nitrate Directive which are an attempt to define land areas which are more likely to suffer leaching of nitrates to groundwater under given climatic, hydrogeological and agricultural conditions. Thus, the need to measure and define nitrate responses in an Irish context is fundamental to this approach.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17687","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17687","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":22,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-2-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication from Agricultural Sources - Phosphorus and Nitrogen","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen Carton","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2006","Keywords":"Eutropication; Agriculture; Phosphorus; Nitrogen","ProjectAbstract":"This document is a summary of the conclusions and recommendations that have been compiled from those listed in final reports submitted under LS-2.1 and LS-2.2 to date. Scientific conclusions have been compiled and integrated into recommendations that have implications for agriculture and water quality managers are based on scientific findings from the above research projects. Conclusions: The conclusions (to date) from the research conducted in LS2.1 and LS2.2 fell broadly into the following categories; i) land use ii) soil type iii) management iv) climate v) catchment size and vi) modeling tools. Land Use: The general conclusion from the catchment studies confirmed that managed grasslands are a significant source of nutrient loss to water (1.6-2.8 kgP\/ha\/yr). Other land use categories such as tillage and forestry were identified from a literature review. Soil Type :Soil type was shown to affect the drainage patterns and P chemistry of grassland soils and drainage class and chemical parameters such as %OM and pH influenced the quantity and quality of P exported in catchments. Saturation excess overland flow was identified as the dominant form of overland flow and the expanding variable source area (VSA) hydrology with freely desorbable P was responsible for the increase in P concentration with flow in overland flow.Management: Management factors affecting P loss to water identified in the research included the presence of grazing animals, timing of slurry spreading, fertilizer use and soil P levels. Grazing affected the quantity and quality of overland flow due to compaction and the presence of the grazing animal. Grazing animals and dung deposition affected cycling in grazed pastures and dung pats significantly increased soil test P levels and total inorganic P in soil. Fertiliser inputs and soil P levels in grazed pastures affected herbage P which in turn affected total P in dung and the distribution of soil P fractions such as water soluble P total inorganic and organic P. Fertiliser use on grassland farms matched advice given with fertilizer use on tillage systems greater than that advised. In general the higher the fertilizer P application rate the higher the potential for P loss to water. Fertiliser applications affected the complex interactions of soil nutrient that lead to a release of nutrients in overland flow.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17688","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17688","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":23,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-3.1.1-M2","ProjectAcronym":"BIOFOREST","ProjectTitle":"Forestry and Environment Impacts Addressing Water Quality and Biodiversity - Biodiversity Assessment of Afforestation Sites","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Susan Iremonger","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"15\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"15\/03\/2006","Keywords":"Water Quality; Environmental Impacts; Biodiversity; Afforestation","ProjectAbstract":"Develop methodologies for biodiversity assessment and identify indicator species in important habitats which might be subjected to afforestation. Assess the efficacy of the Forestry Biodiversity guidelines and recommend improvements the above objectives will be achieved by identifying study sites and comparing afforestation sites with adjacent, closely comparable sites which are to remain unplanted. The location of the sites will be stratified according to habitat type and will include unimproved grassland, peat land and lowland agricultural sites, ensuring replication is maintained within any one habitat type. An in-depth inventory of all taxa is outside the scope of this project: instead a targeted approach will be used, with three avenues: 1. Literature searches and will be used to draft a suitable methodology for assessing the biodiversity of afforestation sites in Ireland; 2. Review current knowledge on the biodiversity of habitats most usually used for planting will be assembled and used to reinforce the choice of indicators of biodiversity in each habitat type, and 3. Surveys of flowering plants, ferns, mosses, liverworts, birds, and selected invertebrate fauna will be conducted in a number of study sites. Rare and threatened species and any special indicators will be highlighted. The literature reviews will provide information on the range of methodologies used overseas and inform the current projects of the best options and approaches. They will also provide a valuable tool for future work and publications and for interpreting the results from the Irish study in an international context. The data from the survey of non-afforested sites will be used a baseline against which changes in biodiversity can be monitored through the establishment and growth stages of the forest. These initial changes will be monitored at a range of sites over the first two years post-planting and will be able to inform management practices as to the likely effects on the species complement and may lead to the identification of potential procedures to ameliorate negative effects on biodiversity. The data will also begin to contribute to identifying the actual range and diversity of species present in Irish plantation forests. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17689","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17689","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":24,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-3.1.2-M2","ProjectAcronym":"BIOFOREST","ProjectTitle":"Forestry and Environment Impacts Addressing Water Quality and Biodiversity - Assessment of Biodiversity at Different Stages of the Forest Cycle","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Susan Iremonger","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2006","Keywords":"Forestry; Water Quality; Biodiversity","ProjectAbstract":"This project is addressing the current gaps in knowledge as to how forest biodiversity changes during the forest growth cycle. Most plantation forests in Ireland are managed under a clear felling regime, which means that they have very distinct stages of development from the planting stages up through thicket and pole stages to finally harvesting and re-planting, or over 'mature' (where the forest is left to grow beyond the commercial optimum). There is very little information on biodiversity in plantation forests in Ireland, and even less on how this may change as the forest develops. As forests are dynamic systems, it is essential not only to have a picture of biodiversity which represents only one stage in the forest cycle, but a series of pictures which can be put together to provide a truer picture of biodiversity in the complete forest system as it changes with age. The project objectives are: 1. Assess the range of biodiversity in representative forests at key stages of the forest cycle; 2. Review and recommend opportunities for enhancement of biodiversity in plantation forests; 3. Assess the effectiveness of the Forest Service Guidelines for Forestry and Biodiversity, and 4. Site selection was aided by querying the extensive Coillte and FIPS (Forest Inventory and Planning System of the Forest Service) databases, and covers as broad a geographical range as allowed by the project logistics.Here are representative sites in both the more westerly 'Atlantic' locations and in more central 'continental' areas. Forest types studied during this project have been pure Sitka, pure ash, and a non-intimate Sitka-ash mix. Four growth stages have been surveyed, ranging from juvenile to mature. Taxonomic groups under investigation are: birds, hoverflies, spiders, and higher and lower plants. Much of the fieldwork was carried out during the 2001 field season, and the remaining work will be carried out in 2002. An official report was produced on Best Practice Overseas of Biodiversity Assessment in Preparation for Forestry. A database for the Project has been designed and constructed by the Coastal Research Centre in UCC. It is based on ArcView 3.2, and has been populated with data collected during the 2001 field season. The data collected in the field will contribute to identifying the actual range and diversity of species present in selected Irish forest types. The changes in biodiversity and species composition over the forest cycle in the range of forest types examined will be used to inform management as to species likely to be present at each stage and their vulnerability to change brought about through the forest cycle. Suggestions will be made as to potential management procedures to ameliorate any negative effects on biodiversity. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17690","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17690","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":25,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-3.1.3-M2","ProjectAcronym":"BIOFOREST","ProjectTitle":"Forestry and Environment Impacts Addressing Water Quality and Biodiversity - Investigation of Experimental Methods to Enhance Biodiversity in Plantation Forests","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Susan Iremonger","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2006","Keywords":"Forestry; Water Quality; Biodiversity","ProjectAbstract":"The objective of this project is to identify those forestry management practices which are best suited to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in plantation forests. This will be accomplished through measuring plant and animal diversity in forests under different management regimes and comparing their biodiversity and through experimental manipulations of the forest and associated habitats. In particular, the following will be investigated: 1. The effects of including broadleaves into coniferous plantations, at both afforestation and reforestation; 2. The effects of tree species, age class composition on forest biodiversity; 3. The effects of different thinning and harvesting techniques on forest biodiversity; 4. The effects of different patterns and management techniques of open ground within the forest; 5. The influence of landscape diversity and pattern on biodiversity of forests in the landscape, and 6. Active processes such as the provision of woody debris, nest boxes, bat boxes, and soil litter from other ecosystems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17691","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17691","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":26,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS3.2.1a-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Forestry and Environment Impacts Addressing Water Quality and Biodiversity - Forestry and the Potential for Surface Water Acidification","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Giller","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2005","Keywords":"Forestry; Environmental Impacts; Water Quality; Acidification","ProjectAbstract":"This study forms part of the Environmental Protection Agencies Environmental RTDI Programme 2000-2006 (Phase 1) on large-scale integrated projects and is entitled Forestry and Environment Impacts addressing Water Quality and Biodiversity (Ref. 2000-LS-3-M2). The project was funded by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and COFORD (the National Council for Forest Research and Development). The main aim of the large-scale project was to provide information on the interactions between forests and forest operations and the natural environment in order to assist in policy formulation. The large-scale project was focused on the relationships between forestry and biodiversity, forestry and water quality, forestry and soils, and forestry and climate change. The current work package was a six week desk study to collect and collate literature and produce a literature review on the effectiveness of buffer strips in the mitigation of acidification of stream waters in afforested catchments. This review is an essential preliminary study in order to provide the necessary background information for tasks outlined in Work Package 3 which proposes to experimentally assess the efficacy of buffer strips and their management as a means of reducing acidification. The work in this review was assisted by site visits to England (Forestry Commission, Alice Holt) and Wales (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor) for a separate project (Project 3.2.1, Liming Study) in which the reviewers were also involved. The role of buffer strips in land management is to provide an undisturbed area of land adjacent to streams to act as a 'filter' for sediments and other stream pollutants, to protect the stream from direct insolation when planted with deciduous vegetation and to provide areas of undisturbed habitat (Bren, 1998). Buffer strips may be referred to as vegetated filter strips, emphasising their filtering function (Castelle et al., 1994). They control erosion by blocking the flow of sediment, by stabilising banks and by promoting infiltration (Castelle et al., 1994). Buffer strips have been found to be useful in the control of soil and sediment erosion in both forested and agricultural catchments (Lynch et al., 1985; Castelle et al., 1994; Swift and Norton, 1993; Dilliha and Inandar, 1997). Buffer strips have been found to be effective in the control of non-point nutrient inputs from agricultural land to surface waters (Castelle et al., 1994). However, Osborne and Kovacic (1993) note that they are not as effective in reducing nutrient load in fields with artificial drainage. Buffer strips may also play a role in limiting contamination of waters by pesticides (Gril et al., 1997; Harris and Forster, 1997) and have been shown to have a significant impact on the microclimate of streams (Castelle et al., 1994; Dong et al., 1998). In addition, as they encompass part or all of the riparian zone, they can act as wildlife corridors and are often an area of high species richness (Naiman and Decamps, 1997; UK Forestry Commission, 2000).Buffer strips are commonly recommended to control sediment loss in commercial forestry operations (Irish Forest Service, 2000a; UK Forestry Commission, 2000). Belt et al. (1992) reviewed literature on buffer strip effectiveness in forested catchments. They stated that scientists were at different stages in their understanding of the functions provided by buffer strips at that time, including their use as sediment and nutrient traps. They reported that in mountainous terrain, water regularly moves through buffer strips as channelised flow and less frequently as overland flow, thus by-passing the effect of the buffer strip. However, many studies have reported that buffer strips are an effective means of controlling sediment loss during forestry operations (e.g. Aubertin and Patric, 1974; Lynch et al., 1985; Swift and Norton, 1993). Lynch et al. (1985) estimated that a 30 m buffer between logging activity and wetlands and streams removed 75-80% of the suspended sediment load in a forested watershed in the United States. Swift and Norton (1993) also reported that buffer strips were effective in reducing suspended sediment loads in a forested catchment in Dalmellington, Scotland. Their effectiveness was found to be influenced by soil type and buffer zone vegetation. Peaty debris, which has a low density, was found to be less likely to settle out unless trapped by vegetation (Swift and Norton, 1993). Mineral soils were more readily erodible and provided a greater contaminant load. This study forms part of the Environmental Protection Agencies Environmental RTDI Programme 2000-2006 (Phase 1) on large-scale integrated projects and is entitled Forestry and Environment Impacts addressing Water Quality and Biodiversity (Ref. 2000-LS-3-M2). The project was funded by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and COFORD (the National Council for Forest Research and Development). The main aim of the large-scale project was to provide information on the interactions between forests and forest operations and the natural environment in order to assist in policy formulation. The large-scale project was focused on the relationships between forestry and biodiversity, forestry and water quality, forestry and soils, and forestry and climate change. The current work package was a six week desk study to collect and collate literature and produce a literature review on the effectiveness of buffer strips in the mitigation of acidification of stream waters in afforested catchments. This review is an essential preliminary study in order to provide the necessary background information for tasks outlined in Work Package 3 which proposes to experimentally assess the efficacy of buffer strips and their management as a means of reducing acidification. The work in this review was assisted by site visits to England (Forestry Commission, Alice Holt) and Wales (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor) for a separate project (Project 3.2.1, Liming Study) in which the reviewers were also involved.Role of buffer stripsThe role of buffer strips in land management is to provide an undisturbed area of land adjacent to streams to act as a \u0091filter\u0092 for sediments and other stream pollutants, to protect the stream from direct insolation when planted with deciduous vegetation and to provide areas of undisturbed habitat (Bren, 1998). Buffer strips may be referred to as vegetated filter strips, emphasising their filtering function (Castelle et al., 1994). They control erosion by blocking the flow of sediment, by stabilising banks and by promoting infiltration (Castelle et al., 1994). Buffer strips have been found to be useful in the control of soil and sediment erosion in both forested and agricultural catchments (Lynch et al., 1985; Castelle et al., 1994; Swift and Norton, 1993; Dilliha and Inandar, 1997). Buffer strips have been found to be effective in the control of non-point nutrient inputs from agricultural land to surface waters (Castelle et al., 1994). However, Osborne and Kovacic (1993) note that they are not as effective in reducing nutrient load in fields with artificial drainage. Buffer strips may also play a role in limiting contamination of waters by pesticides (Gril et al., 1997; Harris and Forster, 1997) and have been shown to have a significant impact on the microclimate of streams (Castelle et al., 1994; Dong et al., 1998). In addition, as they encompass part or all of the riparian zone, they can act as wildlife corridors and are often an area of high species richness (Naiman and Decamps, 1997; UK Forestry Commission, 2000).Buffer strips are commonly recommended to control sediment loss in commercial forestry operations (Irish Forest Service, 2000a; UK Forestry Commission, 2000). Belt et al. (1992) reviewed literature on buffer strip effectiveness in forested catchments. They stated that scientists were at different stages in their understanding of the functions provided by buffer strips at that time, including their use as sediment and nutrient traps. They reported that in mountainous terrain, water regularly moves through buffer strips as channelised flow and less frequently as overland flow, thus by-passing the effect of the buffer strip. However, many studies have reported that buffer strips are an effective means of controlling sediment loss during forestry operations (e.g. Aubertin and Patric, 1974; Lynch et al., 1985; Swift and Norton, 1993). Lynch et al. (1985) estimated that a 30 m buffer between logging activity and wetlands and streams removed 75-80% of the suspended sediment load in a forested watershed in the United States. Swift and Norton (1993) also reported that buffer strips were effective in reducing suspended sediment loads in a forested catchment in Dalmellington, Scotland. Their effectiveness was found to be influenced by soil type and buffer zone vegetation. Peaty debris, which has a low density, was found to be less likely to settle out unless trapped by vegetation (Swift and Norton, 1993). Mineral soils were more readily erodible and provided a greater contaminant load.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17692","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17692","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":27,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS3.2.1b-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Forestry and the potential for surface water acidification - Liming Study","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Norman Allott","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/10\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"22\/06\/2002","Keywords":"Acidity; Surface water; Fish Population Protection; Liming","ProjectAbstract":"Liming has been used throughout Europe and North America as a means of mitigating the adverse effects of increased acidity of surface waters. The principle aim of liming is to increase alkalinity and pH to ensure suitable conditions for fish survival in particular salmonids. This review examines the range of available liming methods in detail with specific emphasis on their potential use in Ireland. The most promising method is the stream doser system because the dose rate can be varied automatically in response to changing stream conditions. Other methods that are worthy of further investigation include the spreading of lime on forest floors and the direct addition of limestone to stream-beds. Trials on liming of buffer strips and riparian areas have been carried out in a small number of studies but have all been considered unsuccessful. However a better understanding of hydrological factors is required before a full assessment of the latter two techniques can be made. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) (Directive 2000\/60\/EC) has recently been adopted by the European Union with the purpose of establishing a framework for the protection of inland surface waters transitional waters coastal waters and groundwater in the EU. The application of liming materials could either be classified as pollutants under the WFD or could also be viewed as a mitigation measure. As yet no clear policy has emerged regarding the use of lime in catchment with reference to the WFD.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17693","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17693","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":28,"ProjectCode":"2000-LS-3.2.2-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Forestry and Environment Impacts Addressing Water Quality and Biodiversity - Forest Operations and Eutrophication","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ted Farrell","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"18\/12\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"18\/06\/2005","Keywords":"Forestry; Environment Impacts;Water Quality; Eutrophication; Phosphorus","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of this project is to determine the impact of forestry and forestry practices on phosphorus in surface waters. There are three major tasks in the project: Task 1 will determine the impact of forest operations on nutrient concentrations in surface run-off at sub-catchment level. The study will be conducted in the King's River catchment in Co Wicklow. The catchment is already fully instrumented and has been monitored under the Three Rivers Project. Task 2 involves the monitoring of phosphorus from an afforestation site, which had previously been in intensive agricultural management. The site will be monitored for a period of several months before planting in order to collect appropriate baseline data. Task 3 is a factorial experiment designed to measure surface-runoff of phosphate following the afforestation of a peat or peaty-gley soil.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17694","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17694","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":29,"ProjectCode":"2000-MS-13-M2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Impact Assessment of Highway Drainage on Water Quality","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Bruen","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2006","Keywords":"Highway Drainage; Water Quality; Monitoring; Runoff","ProjectAbstract":"Objectives: The project's objectives are divided into two components 1(a). Review existing practice with respect to road drainage design and maintenance for rural dual carriageways and motorways in Ireland and the assessment of any environmental impacts of such runoff. Set this practice in the context of current practice elsewhere in Europe. 1(b). Identify suitable candidate sites for monitoring flow and quality of road drainage waters. Select at least two for detailed monitoring. 2(a). Set up and operate at least two representative road drainage sub-catchments with instrumentation for monitoring rates of runoff and corresponding quality for a range of indicative parameters. 2(b). Analyse flow, rainfall and quality data, so as to be able to predict likely runoff peaks, volumes and quality from predetermined design rainstorms. 3. A baseline hydrobiological\/ecological survey of receiving waters will be undertaken to establish basic ecological states, this will include macroinvertebrates, fish and aquatic flora. Thereafter macroinvertebrate samples will be collected at regular intervals and at additional periods following specific hydroenvironmental events. 4.Rainfall will be collected and analysed for the same parameters as the stream water quality samples. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17695","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17695","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":30,"ProjectCode":"2000-MS-15-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Wastewater treatment Efficiency of Subsoils and Stratified Sand Filters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2004","Keywords":"Wastewater; Treatment Systems for Single Houses; Subsoils; Stratified Sand Filters","ProjectAbstract":"In Ireland, wastewater from one third of the population is treated in small-scale independent systems, usually in rural areas where connection to a sewer is deemed to be unfeasible. The most prevalent treatment application is the conventional septic tank system with over 350,000 systems currently installed in Ireland. In situations where septic tank installation is not suitable, mechanically aerated systems can be used which include rotating biological contractors (RBC), biologically aerated flooded filters (BAFF) and sequencing batch reactors (SBR). The recently published EPA guidance manual Treatment Systems for Single Houses determines whether a location is suitable for a septic tank installation by means of a percolation test on the subsoil of the proposed site. Suitable subsoil for septic tank effluent is currently defined as having a T (or P) value within the range 1 to 50. Where suitable subsoils do not exist for a conventional drainage area, the possibility of using a stratified sand filter to treat the effluent has been highlighted. The objective of this research project is to conduct a series of rigorous trials in order to enhance the understanding of the performance of both stratified sand filters and different subsoils for the treatment of typical domestic effluent from septic tanks and other small-scale secondary treatment installations. The project is divided into four phases and will be completed within a 36-month framework: Phase I Initial desk study and site identification (6 months); Phase II Trials at two test sites (septic tank and secondary treatment effluent) on stratified sand filter and subsoil performance (12 months); Phase III Trials at two further sites (septic tank and secondary treatment effluent) on subsoil performance (12 months); Phase IV Collation of results, analyses and final report preparation.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17696","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17696","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":31,"ProjectCode":"2000-MS-2-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Endocrine Disrupting Substances in the Irish Aquatic Environment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Heloise Tarrant","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/02\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"22\/06\/2004","Keywords":"Freshwater; Drinking Water; Endocrine Disrupting Substances","ProjectAbstract":"The objective of the current project is to provide an assessment of the potential risk from EDCs to Irish freshwaters, their ecosystems and associated drinking water resources. This Interim Report provides a report on the progress achieved during the first twelve months of this two-year project. A thorough literature review of the area has been carried out, with special reference made to the Irish aquatic environment. This review is included in the Interim report. A toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) method has been developed for the determination of estrogenic substances in a variety of aqueous environmental matrices and its performance determined using a number of estrogenic substances most likely to be present in the aquatic environment. SOPs are also included in the report giving a detailed description of the analytical techniques used. A preliminary TIE assessment of undiluted effluent from Ballincollig WWTP has been performed and the effluent has been shown to have estrogenic activity.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17697","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17697","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":32,"ProjectCode":"2000-MS-4-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Relationship between Biological Quality Index and Fish Stocks in Rivers","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Trevor Champ","Institution":"Central Fisheries Board","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2006","Keywords":"Rivers; Biological Quality Index; Fish Stock","ProjectAbstract":"Water quality in Ireland has been assessed for nearly three decades by the EPA primarily on the basis of biological communities. The EPA quality rating system (Q-values) facilitates rapid and effective assessment of the water quality of rivers and streams. Good quality is indicated by Q5, Q4-5 and Q4. Some impairment is evident at Q4, the ecological conditions at such locations are considered to be acceptable to salmonids. However, this is an assumed relationship based on visual observations. The project will test this hypothesis and produce a robust statistical model correlating the existing quality rating system and fish community structure. It will also be necessary to broaden the model to incorporate other quality elements (e.g. flow, depth, stream bed type etc.) for classification of 'ecological status' required by the EU Water framework Directive. The aims are: To develop a protocol for assessing the status of riverine fish stocks by establishing a relationship between fish stocks and the EPA's Q-rating system. To develop a predictive model for the composition, abundance and age structure of the fish fauna based on a. The physical and hydrological environment b. Environmental variables (nutrient concentration, DO etc.) c. Faunal and floral communitiesd Q-values.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17698","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17698","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":33,"ProjectCode":"2000-MS-5-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Impacts of Nutrients on the Zebra Mussel Population in Lough Key","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Frances Lucy","Institution":"Institute of Technology Sligo (ITS)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2004","Keywords":"Lakes; Nutrients; Zebra mussels; Trophic status","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of this three year project was to develop a clear understanding of the role of the zebra mussel in lake ecosystems and in particular the relationship between phosphorus concentrations zebra mussel populations and the trophic status of Lough Key. The objectives also aimed to: i Contribute to a better environment by delivering applicable and relevant RTDI data and information based on high quality science and technology i) Generate data information and knowledge for improved management of the environment ii) Develop new techniques methods and systems for measuring recording and predicting the quality of the environment. This is in line with the development aims of the Water Framework Directive (2000\/60\/EC) which has been transposed into national law (S.I. No. 722 of 2003).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17699","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17699","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":34,"ProjectCode":"2001-CD-C3-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Climate Change in Ireland: Refining the Impacts","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Sweeney","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2006","Keywords":"Climate change; Coastal; Water resource; Modelling","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17700","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17700","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":35,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-05","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Programme of Improvements at Lakeland Dairies Aimed at Reducing Potential Emissions and Conserving Natural Resources Including an Investigation into the Amount of Hydrochloric Acid Used During the Acid Casein making Process","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Rory Farrell","Institution":"Lakeland Dairies Co-Operative Society Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"06\/08\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"15\/09\/2003","Keywords":"Hydrochloric Acid; Skimmed milk manufacture; Economic benefit; Improved wastewater treatment","ProjectAbstract":"In the manufacture of acid casein from skim milk, as practised at the Lakeland Dairies Killeshandra casein plant, hydrochloric acid (HCL) is the acidulant used to precipitate the casein from the skim milk. The project will quantify the current usage of HCL per tonne of casein produced through the setting up and recording of metering controls. On obtaining this information it will allow comparison with general industry requirement and theoretical requirements. It is envisaged that through modification of existing manufacturing protocol encompassing areas such as the rate of HCL dosage, the plant will able to reduce its HCL requirement to that of a figure approaching lowest theoretical requirements. Currently the casein plant utilises 713,000 litres of 36% HCL annually. It is envisaged that this project will reduce this volume considerably. The company will benefit economically by reducing the HCL requirement per tonne of casein produced. The company will also reduce its disposal of chloride ions, a recognised environmental benefit. A reduction in acid volumes should also reduce the potential for 'shock loading' of the wastewater treatment plant and so contribute to an improved final effluent being discharged to local waterways.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17701","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17701","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":36,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-11","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Treatment of Shellfish Wastewater by Membrane Filtration and Recovery of Protiens, Salt and Upgrading Through Product Development","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Suzanne McDermott","Institution":"Atlanfish Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/07\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"22\/07\/2003","Keywords":"Clean Technology; Membrane Filtration; Water Recycling; Crab Meat ","ProjectAbstract":"The introduction of Membrane Filtration as cleaner technology will be part of the companys overall strategy. The project will study the following:1. Detailed examination of the separation properties of the different types of membrane from at least two companies. These have slightly different separation properties which can affect process economic and the quality of the product.1.Examination of the properties of the concentrates produced by the most promising membranes, ensuring that there are no undesirable components. 2. Examination of fouling and cleaning of the membranes. Membranes which meet the standard will be operated at optimum conditions for about 15-20 individual days to ensure adequate lifespan; 3. The recycling of permeate cook water will be studied. 4. Concentration of the retentate and its use as ingredient for new products or as food ingredient will be examined. 5. The use of membrane filtration for the treatment of wash water from proposed new crab meat extraction equipment will be studied. The successful completion of the project will: a. Significantly reduce wastewater volume by approx 20%; b. Major reduction in effluent strength, BOD, COD and SS by 70% plus; c. Decrease volume and organic content of solid waste by 5 to 10%; d. Reduce fuel oil consumption and costs for cooking operations by 5%+, after allowing for increase from new technology; e. Achieve lower water usage with consequent cost savings 20%; f. Reduce salt usage 50%-75% in cook rocess by recycling; g. Upgrade waste through protein recovery from wastewater, and h. Provide product development opportunities for protein and flavour compounds recovered new products or for food ingredients, such as flavour enhancers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17702","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17702","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":37,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-18","ProjectAcronym":"CIP","ProjectTitle":"Pilot Plant Feasibility\/Caste Study on Recovery and Reuse of Spent (CIP) Cleaning Soluations","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Clancy","Institution":"FDT Consulting Engineers and Project Managers Ltd","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/07\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"08\/08\/2003","Keywords":"Water Re-use; Wastewater reduction; Chemical recovery; Membrane Filtration","ProjectAbstract":"This Pilot Plant Study in intended to Evaluate the Best Available Technology for reclamation and re-use of spent cleaning fluids based on the use of membranes. The study will focus on economic paybacks, environmental improvements and recovered permeate quality issues. Cleaning-in-place (CIP) of production equipment such as pipelines and evaporators in dairies is routinely performed at the conclusion of each production cycle to maintain hygienic standards and ensure proper functioning of the equipment. Caustic solutions are commonly used at 1-4% strength and a temperature up to 70C or 80C. In some CIP schemes, the alkaline step is followed by cleaning with an acid solution. The cleaning solutions are eventually discharged to drain, contributing to the pH and COD load of the total factory discharge. This Pilot Study proposes to install temporary membrane filtration systems adjacent to an existing automatic cleaning plant which will allow for the recovery of cleaning solutions for re-use. Some of the direct and indirect benefits are as follows: 1. Reduced Chemical Usage and Costs; 2. Reduced chemical usage in pH balancing Plant; 3. BOD solids removal at source rather than 'end of pipe' in Effluent Treatment and 4. Opportunity for additional water cleanup and reuse. The expected benefits for the end users include reduced waste treatment costs and reduced water usage. Peak loads on pH balancing plant are normally caused by dumping of spent cleaning chemicals. The peak loads are difficult to deal with and can result in unsuitable effluent pH going to sensitive biological treatment plants. Membrane Treatment of effluent at source should provide a buffer prior to balancing plant and should eliminate pH fluctuations. Water used in cleaning contributes to a large percentage of site usage. In some plants good design can provide for re-using final rinses. However there is still huge scope for re-use and Nano Filtration Membranes could be utilised to this effect. The proposed design will focus on the recovery of spent chemicals and cleaning of water for reuse.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17703","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17703","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":38,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-21","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Macroom - Towards A Sustainable Inudstrial Environmental Economy","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Noel O'Driscoll","Institution":"Cork County Council","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"17\/09\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"17\/09\/2003","Keywords":"Indusrty; Waste; Resource; Sustainability","ProjectAbstract":"Cork County Council, Macroom Town Council, South Cork Enterprise Board, Cork County Energy Office, the Lee Valley Eco Label Project and the Lee Valley Enterprise Board have formed an alliance aimed at developing sustainable industry in the Macroom area. The main initiative of this project will be to develop a programme for the industrial base of the Macroom area which will facilitate the implementation of cleaner and greener production practices over the following years. It will be necessary to co-ordinate the industrial base of the area and assimilate the necessary information on just what each organisation\/company is currently doing. This will allow a benchmarking process to be put in place against which future success can be measured. Envisaged here would be carrying out of surveys into the raw materials and resources which are being used, the amount of waste which is generated by each organisation and how this is currently dealt with, the amount of water and effluent which is required and produced, the energy levels which are currently required and also establish the pattern of use in relation to the energy consumption along with the levels of knowledge which currently exist in each company with regard to both environmental legislation and best practice. Additionally it is proposed to utilise tools such as design for environment, cleaner production, life cycle analysis, audit, and metrics systems as a means of improving process efficiencies, raising management skills and increasing business performance as well as improving product marketability. Through legislative trending for each business and product it is envisaged that a proactive approach will be taken to product and business evolution which will integrate business and evironmental sustainability. The strategic aims and deliverables are: 1. Implementation of an environmentally sustainable business support system within Macroom Town Council, local industry and the E.I.P.; 2. Develop business support tools by utilisation of Life Cycle Analysis, Design for Environment metrics and audit processes and to thereby develop environment and business programs which will support a mutually beneficial business and environmental sustainability; 3. Additionally review opportunities for business and product development and growth based on a proactive approach to product, market and environmental legislative requirements; 4. Increase environmental awareness and ensure inclusion of all stakeholders; 5. Recognise Macroom as a centre of environmental excellence and utilise this in the marketing of the town for socio-economic development; 6.Provide a conduit for community and industrial involvement in the development of Macroom, and 7. Identify and develop with business opportunities for implementation of cleaner production, new products and process development.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17704","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17704","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":39,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-22A","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of Water Based Inks for Printing of Bread and Confectionary Wrapping","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jack McGuiness","Institution":"Manders Coatings and Inks Ireland Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"29\/08\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"29\/08\/2003","Keywords":"Production; Water based Inks; Printing; Reduced VOC Emissions","ProjectAbstract":"The project aims to develop suitable water based inks and production processes for printing polypropylene and paper bread wrap and confectionary wrap. Technical work is two fold. The first partner (Manders) will seek to develop suitable formulations of inks which will allow printing at same speed as using solvent based inks. The second partner (IFP) will seek to determine the optimum printing method. The outputs will be: 1. A range of water based inks suitable for printing polyproplylene and paper to a quality suitable for self display of products, and 2. Technical guidance on how to set up flexographic printing machines to print with these inks. Since the inks to be developed are water based, the benefit to both partners will be the elimination of solvents from the manufacture and use of these inks. This will reduce VOC emissions to atmosphere and improve the work environment.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17705","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17705","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":40,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-22B","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development Of Water Based Inks for Printing of Bread and Confectionary Wrapping","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eamon Farrell","Institution":"Irish Flexible Packaging Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"12\/09\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"12\/09\/2003","Keywords":"Production; Water based Inks; Printing; Reduced VOC Emissions","ProjectAbstract":"The project aims to develop suitable water based inks and production processes for printing polypropylene and paper bread wrap and confectionary wrap. Technical work is two fold. The first partner (Manders) will seek to develop suitable formulations of inks which will allow printing at same speed as using solvent based inks. The second partner (IFP) will seek to determine the optimum printing method. The outputs will be: 1. A range of water based inks suitable for printing polyproplylene and paper to a quality able for self display of products and 2. Technical guidance on how to set up flexographic printing machines to print with these inks. Since the inks to be developed are water based, the benefit to both partners will be the elimination of solvents from the manufacture and use of these inks. This will reduce VOC emissions to atmosphere and improve the work environment.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17706","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17706","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":41,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-30A","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Process for Extracting Edible Crab Meat from Bodies and Legs Often Considered Waste","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Charles Lamb","Institution":"CBL Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"15\/08\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"15\/08\/2003","Keywords":"Water; Food manufacturing; Sterile; Crab meat","ProjectAbstract":"Our goal is to provide a prototype of our production process to establish its efficiency and food safety production parameters. A prototype has already been constructed, however it is not of the hygiene standard to produce food quality product. The new prototype will be manufactured from materials such as stainless steel. This new prototype will allow for the determination of the quality of the produced meat. To-date using a basic prototype we have achieved substantial efficiencies in the reduction of waste in this meat production process. A new prototype built using stainless steel will establish if this new systems is capable of hygienically removing meat from crab legs and body centres. The system will provide saleable white crab meat from material which has traditionally been dumped. Traditionally only meat from claws has been recovered which is about 7.5% of the live weight of crabs. The prototype constructed to date can recover a further 10% of the white meat from frozen raw material. Limited tests have shown that recovery could be as much as further 17% on freshly cooked raw materials. The new prototype will determine exactly how much additional meat can be recovered. This new prototype can satisfactorily operate on re-circulated water so retaining better flavour in the product and using substantially less water than any other systems available. The separation system, used in this new prototype also provides clean shell; the natural polymer kelvar as a by-product because of the improved separation of the Chitin polymer should be saleable quality and this will be an additional benefit. A further goal from the project is to determine acceptable method or combination of methods of keeping the recirculation water sterile, either by keeping it hotter, using salt, ultra violet light, chilling of water, use of Hydrogen peroxide in the form of Glyroxyl or the use of Ozone. The flavour and colour of the final product is very important. Because of decreased water usage in our proposed process the requirement for clean drinking water would be reduced as also would the effluent disposal requirements. In both these ways the drain on energy as a resources would be lessened. Because of the decreased use of water in this new process the flavour of the meat produced will be enhanced. This new production process will provide a better ratio of recoverable valuable food, in the form of crab meat, from crab stock. As the water used is recycled it is used as a convenient means of producing sterile food product by using standard ozone as an additive in the production process. This is a major benefit over any other system used to-date in the seafood meat producing industry. The only system available to achieve comparable meat recoverable ratio is of a very large construction and operates on the continued use of very large quantities of water. The meat produced from this said system is inferior due to flavour loss in the quantity of water used. As this is a food producing operation the water must be potable thus there are environmental\/economic implications directly related to the quantity of water used. The separation of meat from shell means that the shell becomes a cleaner waste product possibly suitable as source for Chitin polymer or clean product for landfill thus reducing contamination to the areas where it has traditionally been dumped. Economically, everyone involved benefits; sale of machinery, sale of extra meat, less pollution. The feasibility of using this new separation process in other food production areas may also give advantages which have to be further investigated once the new prototype is constructed.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17707","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17707","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":42,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-31","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Reduce Emissions From the Production of Smoked Fish","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mark McMahon","Institution":"Seaborn Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2003","Keywords":"Smoke house; Emmission reduction; Water use reduction; Reduced waste","ProjectAbstract":"The company proposes to investigate the suitability of technologies which are know to exist in other countries which can virtually eliminate the necessity for smoke house emission to air and the current necessity for smoke house washdown, a process which also involves the use of aggressive cleaning agents for removal of fish fats and oil deposits. Smoke house emissions have been problematic for the company in the past and this project aims to use a cleaner production approach rather than the established alternative practice of 'end of pipe' scrubber technologies. The goal of the project is to evaluate this technology and, subject to cost and maintenance of product quality, to introduce the techniques to the companies smoked salmon production plant in Dublin City centre. A secondary aspect of the project will be to conduct a brief study aimed at identifying and implementing measures for reducing water usage, waste production and packaging with a view to establishing an all encompassing approach to cleaner\/greener production. The anticipated outcome is an ultra clean, nuisance free operation compatible with the plant's city centre location. If successful (as is anticipated) it will be the first of type in Ireland and will provide an excellent demonstration plant for the industry as a whole as it continues to be driven up the value added chain. The company targets the high end of the processed fish market and has been queried in the past as to its environmental credentials by overseas buyers, particularly in the German supply chain. The company's reputation for high quality product from unpolluted Irish waters will be further enhanced by 'green' production. As a consequence of the successful implementation of this project the product can in future be marketed not simply clean but 'clean and green'. This is expected to provide the company with a competitive advantage, providing company growth and increased employment, while at the same time benefiting the environment through a measurable reduction in emission.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17708","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17708","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":43,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-33","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Furniture College Letterfrack Moving Towards Environmental Excellence","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Finnian Sheridan","Institution":"The Furniture College","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/08\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/08\/2003","Keywords":"Reduced resource use; Waste minimization; Reduced water use; Energy Efficient","ProjectAbstract":"The first stage of the project will be to appoint a project team to work together with the goal of continuous improvement in the area of environment at the Furniture College Letterfrack. The idea will be to look at various aspects of our environmental performance and to take action towards improvement. The principal aim is to reduce the amount of resources we use thereby resulting in less waste produced, less water wasted and lower energy bills. The entire college staff will be involved through monthly questionnaires which will ensure the involvement of everyone. Students will be given the opportunity to become involved through an open system of suggestion boxes. The project team will reflect the aspects of the activities which take place in the college and these will be the people who will bear the responsibility for taking action. The project will be run over an eight month period one meeting per month. The eight meetings will address the following topics: Drawing up of goals and vision building; Management and reduction of office waste Reduction of waste from furniture manufacture and demonstration; Energy conservation; Sustainable purchasing practices; Water conservation; Transport and Evaluation of progress made. It is anticipated that this project will help us to address fundamental changes in attitude and to make a significant difference in our environmental performance. We also believe that seeing good environmental management systems in operation in college will equip our students to make similar decision themselves. The benefits are: Letterfrack furniture college is viewed as a centre for excellence in manufacture; This programme will help couple this change with sustainability and We anticipate that we will save money on waste disposal and energy bills as a result of this project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17709","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17709","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":44,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-39","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Environmental Action Leading to Increased Profitability at Renvyle House Hotel","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ronnie Counihan","Institution":"Renvyle House Hotel","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/08\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/08\/2003","Keywords":"Reduced Waste; Reduced water use; Reduced Energy use; Staff training.","ProjectAbstract":"The first stage of the project will be to appoint a project team which will work towards the goal of continuous improvements in the area of environmental impact. Goals will be set and actions will be taken to reduce waste and energy use and to rationalise water usage. This team will meet once a month and will in consultation with other staff set goals and responsibilities for taking actions to achieve these goals. The entire staff will be involved through monthly questionnaires. The project will be run over a seven month period during the low season with one meeting per month. The seven meetings will address the following topics. Introduction i) Drawing up of goals and vision building Reduction of Waste; Energy Conservation; Sustainable purchasing practices; Water Conservation; Transport; Ecology (addressed in relation to the Special Area of Conservation within the Hotel grounds). Evaluation Measurements will be made before and after the programme of 1.) The amount of waste sent to landfill and the associated cost 2.) The amount of energy saved. This may be calculated by comparing electricity bills for the same period this year versus last year. Savings will be calculated both in monetary and in environmental terms. It is anticipated that by working closely with the staff this project will help us to address fundamental changes in attitude thus making a significant difference in environmental performance. The benefits: 1. The Hotel will save money on waste disposal and energy bills as a result of this project. 2. This will have a positive environmental effect by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and by reducing the level of pollutants entering the atmosphere leading to global warming an climate change. Page 46 of 137June 2007EPA Funded Research: Environmental Technologies and Cleaner Production In the case of waste disposal the result should be very significant as the Hotel currently sends all waste except glass bottles to landfill and is a large hotel with capacity to sleep 140 people.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17710","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17710","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":45,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-40","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Recovery of Nickel and Iron From a Waste Stream and Evaluation of Electrochemical Methods for Cleaner Production","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Finbarr Pyne","Institution":"Envirotech Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"15\/07\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"15\/07\/2003","Keywords":"Metal; Industry; Waste Recovery; Treatment","ProjectAbstract":"There are two aspects to this project which is being carried out by Envirotech Limited at the GE Superabrasives Ireland industrial diamond manufacturing site: Nickel and iron recovery from a waste stream; Evaluation of electrochemical methods for cleaner production and Nickel and Iron Recovery from a Waste Stream An acidic waste stream containing nickel and iron is currently produced at a volume of 25 m3 per week. The stream contains 10% iron and 4% nickel. The current treatment involves pH correction to precipitate both as a sludge. The sludge is then dried and sent to France for recovery. The project aims to develop a process to separate the iron and nickel in such a manner as to yield a nickel precipitate and an iron solution. The nickel would be recovered as a high value material and reused in the nickel plating industry. The remaining iron solution would be pure enough to be reused in the wastewater treatment industry. The main environmental benefit would be in reducing and hopefully eliminating what is currently a waste which needs to be transported to France for further treatment or alternative landfilled as a sludge. It is envisaged that there would be more long term economic benefit also by providing an economical method of recycling the two metals by processing them into a form valuable to specific markets. The value of these materials is likely to remain steady in reusable forms whereas the costs of disposal are likely to increase. Evaluation of Electrochemical Methods for Cleaner Production Industrial diamond manufacture involves separation of the diamond from catalyst matrix. Replacing 80% of the chemicals used in one step of this process would significantly reduce both effluent concentration and quantities of nitrates produced. It is proposed to use electrochemical technology to achieve the dissolution of metal components in the step known as YC or yield checking. If successful it is envisaged that this process would be transferred to the plant-scale process. Although still very much at a research stage it is hoped that this element of the project would result in a significant reduction in the amount of chemicals used. Estimates are nitric acid usage reduction by 155 tonne \/ yr lime usage reduction by 75 tonne \/ yr.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.envirotech.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"17711","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17711","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":46,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-41","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Reduction at Source of Fugitive Emissions Incorporating Flux Chemical Recycling and Heat Recovery","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Patrick Sheridan","Institution":"Waterford Metal Industries Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"20\/06\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"20\/06\/2003","Keywords":"Metal Industry; Chemical Recycling; Energy Recovery; Reduced Energy and Water consumtion","ProjectAbstract":"This galvanising company will change the production process to convert from dry fluxing to hot wet fluxing with chemical recycling. Aspects of the new production process include: Continuous recycling of flux treatment to reduce dross formation; Product for galvanising will be pre-cleaned to prevent contamination of the recycling process; Hot dry product will reduce zinc consumption by reducing oxide formation at source with less skimmings and fume; Engineered furnace flue gas heat recovery will be introduced and All pre-treatment processes will take place in enclosed spaces. Environmental benefits: The source of fugitive emissions arising from vaporised flux and water will be reduced; Galvanising mud from dirty incoming product will no longer cause fume or skimmings formation on the zinc pot surface; There will be a reduction in zinc contamination of all aspects of the process; There will be downstream savings in chemicals and energy used in recycling lesser quantities of skimmimgs and dross; Heat recovery will reduce carbon dioxide emissions; Reduced energy and water consumption over conventional wet fluxing and No new emissions to sewer. Economic benefits: There will be reduced chemical costs as it is anticipated that there will be less waste of flux due to more precise application; There will be reduced energy costs arising from heat recovery; Zinc consumption will be reduced. It is expected that the greatest economic benefits will be achieved on lower zinc waste; The new process will provide the opportunity to improve quality and consistency of product. This will also reduce re-work and There will be an improvement in safety aspects of the operation.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17712","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17712","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":47,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-42","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Greening the University Campus","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Finbarr Horrigan","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"29\/07\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"29\/08\/2003","Keywords":"University Campus; Reduced resource use; Reduced impacts; Sustainabilty","ProjectAbstract":"Maynooth campus consists of a North and South Campus. The North Campus is developed with state of the art science and teaching facilities together with student accommodation and recreational facilities. The south campus of 19th century buildings is shared with St Patrickis College Maynooth. Waste disposal environmental management and sustainable use of natural resources are basic and fundamental concerns of the National University of Ireland Maynooth and St. Patrickis College. In recognition of this both institutions have drafted an environmental policy which commits them to reducing their environmental impacts. This project aims to implement the environmental policy statement through the establishment of sustainable practices and procedures throughout the campus which include; Improved Waste Management; Improved Water Management; Improved Energy Management; Improved Staff and Student Education and Awareness and Environmentally Sound Purchasing Policies. The project aims to minimise the amount of waste disposed of to landfill via the implementation of recycling and composting. The majority of waste generated on NUI Maynooth campus is composed of material which is readily recycled e.g. paper plastic cardboard and organic food waste. By changing staff and student behaviour and providing campus wide waste recycling facilities NUI Maynooth management aim to reduce the quantities of waste disposed of to landfill. Waste disposal costs and the environmental impacts of landfill disposal will be reduced.The programme will investigate the feasibility of composting organic and green waste and using the compost on the campus grounds and at the college farm thereby providing an example of 'up-recycling' and closing the recycling loop. The campus aim to and will reduce water and energy consumption. NUI Maynooth spends a substantial amount every year on energy and water. The Buildings Office proposes to address these issues as part of this project. The benefits of using less energy and water include potential cost savings and reduced environmental impact.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17713","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17713","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":48,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-51","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Reduction of Wastewater Generation and Haul-Off Through Re-Use Within the Plant","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Seamus Scully","Institution":"NN Euroball Ireland Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2003","Keywords":"Wastewater elimination; Water re-use; Reduced Water Consumption; Efficiency","ProjectAbstract":" The goals of this project include the elimination of wastewater generation, eliminate waste treatment and reduced water consumption in the process. The recycling of the wastewater within the plant means that there is no longer a need to haul the waste off-site and so this leads to savings in haul-off costs and offsite treatment costs. This project promotes the re-use of water within the plant hence it is been used efficiently and not wasted.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17714","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17714","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":49,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-63","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Energy Resource Reduction Using Monitoring and Targetting System","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Frank Begley","Institution":"Glanbia Meats (Rosderra Irish Meats Group Ltd)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/08\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/08\/2003","Keywords":"Meat industry; Reduced energy use; Reduced water use; Staff training","ProjectAbstract":"Glanbia Meats Roscrea plant specialises in pig processing providing premier pork and bacon products for the Irish and international markets. The overall aim of the project is to reduce energy and water resource consumption in the Roscrea plant. This energy reduction strategy will involve installation of a monitoring and targeting system providing real time data training production management staff in the use of the system and allocating staff responsibility and targets to utilise the information provided in decision making. A reduction of 5% in electricity and 14% in water per unit of production is anticipated. Based upon 2002 budget production figures this would equate to a reduction in electricity usage of 370500 kWh and 32000m3 of water in a year.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17715","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17715","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":50,"ProjectCode":"2001-CP-68","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Investigation and Implementation of Environmental Benefits and Energy Efficiency","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Shane Mooney","Institution":"Control Equipment Ltd. (CEL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"24\/06\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"24\/06\/2003","Keywords":"VOC emmision reduction; Water based alternitive; Waste minimisation; Energy recovery","ProjectAbstract":"CEL will use an alternative coating applied to PCBs to protect them from moisture to End-of-Life and investigate its production implications. We shall examine a water based coating substitute for the VOC based coating current being used. CEL emits 3 tonnes of VOCs per annum from this process and volumes are set to double. The water based alternatives would reduce VOC emissions from this to negligible quantities. CEL will also modify equipment to minimise waste from the process. Under Directive 1999\/13\/EC there are proposals for 'Mini-IPC' systems and licence fees for companies using materials with VOC constituents. CEL would come under this directive and therefore want to evaluate an alternative under production and use criteria. CEL would apply the coating to a sample of boards and have the current solvent based and proposed water based coatings analysed under salt spray and vibration tests to validate their durability during use phase. In Automotive electronics it is important for CEL to prepare for imminent legislation including WEEE EOLV and the VOC regulations to remain competitive. CEL wishes to reduce the energy used in operations by improving heating and compressor efficiency. Compressed operating air pressure will be reduced by 1 Bar from 7.5 Bar average to save energy. Install a heat recovery system to utilise heat output from compressors. Under the efficiency element there is a potential annual saving of 13500 per annum. These estimates are broken down under heating efficiency improvement, heat recovery system and efficiency \/ reduction of operational air pressure. Payback on the necessary investments is calculated at approximately 2 years on current expenditure.In order to tackle the elimination of waste arising from packaging CEL will be requesting a new customer to accept returnable packaging. This would entail approximately 500 returnable boxes in a loop between CEL and the customer overseas. Benefits are self evident in the case of returnable packaging. This will eliminate many tonnes of cardboard packaging currently used by CEL. The elimination comes at a time when other customers are surveying CEL contribution to their waste. This could have negative cost implications for CEL and the above actions would address this situation.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17716","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17716","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":51,"ProjectCode":"2001-CS-13-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The microbial ecology of anaerobic wastewater treatment biofilms.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Sean Connaughton","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17717","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17717","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":52,"ProjectCode":"2001-EEO-DS-1-M1","ProjectAcronym":"MFA","ProjectTitle":"Material Flow Accounts (MFA) Demonstration for Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eileen O'Leary","Institution":"Clean Technology Centre (CTC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/09\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2004","Keywords":"Fossil fuel; Water Flow; Data analysis; Evaluation","ProjectAbstract":"The main objectives of the study are: a. Review existing methodologies for material flow accounts (MFA) and select\/tailor the methodology for Ireland; b. Demonstrate the methodology for two pilot cases: 1. National fossil fuel flow accounts, together with derived indicators, and 2. Water flow accounts for a region; c. Identify data gaps for a complete set of national material flow accounts, and d. Evaluate the applicability of MFA in Ireland and any policy implications. The project will be broken down into 7 tasks, as follows: 1. European MFA methodology review; 2. Select\/tailor methodology for Ireland; 3. Demonstrate methodology - Case 1: National fossil fuel flow accounts; 4. Demonstrate methodology - Case 2: Water flow accounts for a region; 5. Indicators and Impacts; 6. Data gap analysis for national material flow accounts, and 7. Evaluation and Recommendations.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17718","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17718","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":53,"ProjectCode":"2001-LS\/FW1-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A biotechnological system for production of value-added products, bioethanol and methane from non-animal food wastes with emphasis on hygiene aspects.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Emer Colleran","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2006","Keywords":"Green Entreprise; Biotechnology; Wastewater; Anaerobic Digestion","ProjectAbstract":"The primary objectives of this project are focused on developing an integrated biotechnological strategy which will meet the highest environmental and public health regulations for transformation of vegetable, fruit and confectionery wastes (VFCWs) and selected source-separated OFMSW organic wastes to high-value products and energy. Specifically, thermostable enzymes (thermozymes) from generally regarded as safe (GRAS), non-sporulating micro-organisms will be used as safe, eco-friendly biotechnological tools to yield high-value products, such as soluble sugars and potential natural antioxidant\/flavour-rich cocktails which can be utilized for the production of bio-fuels (bioethanol, methane), bio-pharmaceuticals, probiotics, nutraceuticals, biodegradable polymers, and feedstocks for enzyme and chemical production. Energy requirements for thermozyme-catalysed carbohydrate hydrolysis, at high reaction temperatures, will be provided by thermophilic digestion of a fraction of the sugar-rich hydrolysate to yield methane gas, which will reduce fossil fuel dependence. In addition, process wastewaters will be anaerobically digested to maximize recovery of biomass energy, and ensure reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. All reaction processes will be rigorously evaluated with respect to microbial pathogen kill-rates using a variety of indicator organisms and test procedures (MPN, COLILERT, ENTEROLERT, etc.) in order to meet the highest environmental and public health standards, and to determine ideal reaction conditions for both thermozyme hydrolysis and thermophilic digestion which will yield maximum bioconversion of the target wastes yet achieve optimum pasteurisation. In order to ensure a complete and integrated.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17719","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17719","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":54,"ProjectCode":"2001-PHD-2-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Regulation and assessment of N-mineralisation in grassland soil","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Cecily Leonard","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2006","Keywords":"Nitrogen; Grassland; Fertiliser; Water quality","ProjectAbstract":"Nitrogen (N) is a crucial determinant of grassland productivity and the majority of contemporary grassland enterprises are dependent on anthropogenic additions of organic and\/or inorganic N to maintain sward yields. In recent years concerns have grown over the impact of N-fertilisation of grassland pastures on the environment in particular water quality. In order to address these concerns the European Union published Directive 91\/676\/EEC in December 1991 commonly referred to as the 'Nitrates Directive'. The objective of this directive was to reduce water pollution caused by N loss from agricultural sources. One of the key stipulations of the Nitrate Directive was the grassland managers should take into account the natural supply of N through mineralisation of organic N in soil. The absence of a standardised methodology for measuring values of N-mineralisation in grassland soil constitutes a major obstacle to grassland managers who wish to take into account the contribution of mineralised N to the pool of inorganic N in soil. Furthermore mineralisation of biologically fixed N in organic grassland soils is poorly understood and hence the release of mineralised N from soil organic matter is poorly controlled. Thus the twin aims of this thesis were to examine the in vitro arginine ammonification method as an applicable measure of N-mineralisation in soil and to investigate regulation of N-mineralisation by readily available carbon (C) substrates and inorganic N nutrients in soil. This study was conducted on a grassland farm at Patrickswell Co. Limerick. Values of in vitro arginine ammonification and soil factors known to influence N-mineralisation were measured at both the micro-plot scale and the plot scale. Values of in vitro arginine ammonification reflected the influence of depth of soil moisture, organic matter and pH on values of N-mineralisation in the field. Values of in vitro arginine ammonification were also compared with values of N-mineralisation measured in the field via the in situ incubation method. No relationship was found between in vitro and in situ values of N-mineralisation with the exception of values of in vitro arginine ammonification measured at the conclusion of the seven-day incubation period. Seven-day field incubation of in situ cores affected the ability of soil microorganisms to mineralise native soil organic matter and hence the applicability of the in situ method as a legitimate measure of N-mineralisation in soil is questionable. Values of in vitro and in situ N-mineralisation were correlated with values of grassland production namely sward height and herbage dry-matter production. Values of in vitro N-mineralisation were positively related to the quantity of readily available C substrates in soil. Readily available C substrates constitute a pool of readily mineralisable N in soil and it appears that readily available C substrates regulate N-mineralisation at the level of sufficient quantity of enzymes present to use the available substrate. In contrast under conditions of readily available C- and inorganic N-limitation in soil it appears that microbial mineralisation of organic N is regulated by ammonium-N (NH4+-N) catabolite repression.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17720","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17720","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":55,"ProjectCode":"2001-PHD-9\/44-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Littoral and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages of Lough Mask","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Thomas Kieran McCarthy","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/09\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"02\/09\/2007","Keywords":"Lakes; Littoral and benthic macroinvertebrate; Sampling; Characterisation","ProjectAbstract":"Characterisation of the littoral and benthic invertebrate assemblages of Lough Mask, an ultra-oligotrophic large lowland lake, which is in near pristine condition and still contains unique floral\/faunal species assemblages largely typical of many Irish lakes. Determination, mostly through scuba diving transect sampling, of the variation in benthic assemblages, in relation to bathymetry type. Identification of environmental factors affecting vertical distribution of macro invertebrate species and their abundances. Development of new sampling protocols for long-term monitoring of Lough Mask and other environmentally sensitive lakes, and for protection of their faunal assemblages though maintenance of high water quality levels.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17721","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17721","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":56,"ProjectCode":"2002-CS-17","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Pollution Assessment of the Tolka River Estuary","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Conor Buggy","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Climate change; Impact; Water resources; Run-off","ProjectAbstract":"This project will examine the impact of future climate change on water resources in Ireland. Hydrological simulations will be carried out to compare runoff generated under future climate scenarios with runoff generated under baseline conditions. Downscaled GCM predictions of rainfall and evaporation will be used to drive the physical process-based hydrological model HYSIM. Emphasis will be placed upon the effects of climate change on the frequency and duration of low flows and the magnitude and recurrence intervals of flood events. The impact of future land use changes will also be simulated under each scenario. The analysis will focus on several river catchments which will be selected on the basis of a number of criteria.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17722","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17722","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":57,"ProjectCode":"2002-PHD2-14","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Long-term environmental change in lower Lough Corrib and its catchment: a multidisciplinary palaeoecological study","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael O'Connell","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2005","Keywords":"Lakes; Anthropogenic impact; Trophic Status; Climate Change","ProjectAbstract":"The project represents the first serious attempt to document long-term changes 'both natural and anthropogenic' in the Lough Corrib catchments area, the largest freshwater body in the Republic of Ireland. It involves pollen and macrofossil analyses, and stable isotope investigations on thick marl and peat deposits in the lower Corrib basin with a view to investigating, as comprehensively as possible, palaeoenvironmental change over the course of the post-glacial era limnic changes, including lake levels and trophic status, will be documented, and the effects of climate change and human activity on the limnic and terrestrial environments will be critically studied.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17723","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17723","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":58,"ProjectCode":"2002-PHD2-30","ProjectAcronym":"(LC-MS)","ProjectTitle":"The Development of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) Methods for the Determination of Microcystins in Irish Freshwaters, Cyanobacteria and Drinking Water.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ambrose Furey","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2006","Keywords":"Microcystins; Freshwaters; Cyanobacteria; Drinking water","ProjectAbstract":"Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods will be developed to analyse microcystin toxins (hepatotoxins) in cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and freshwater samples. There are only six commercially available microcystin standards out of a family of > 65 hepatotoxins. An ion trap MS (LC-MSn) method and a tandem quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF) mass spectrometry method will be developed to aid in the isolation of known and unknown microcystins from Irish cyanobacteria. These MS methods will aid in the structurally elucidation of isolated microcystins based on the characteristic fragmentation pattern produced from multiple MS experiments. A triple quadrupole MS method will be developed to quantify the concentration of microcystins in isolation fractions and natural samples. These LC-MS methods will be applied to identify new and unknown microcystins in Irish freshwater and to establish their geographical distribution in Irish lakes. These sensitive LC-MS methods will also be used for the rapid screening of microcystins in drinking water to determine if Irish drinking water is compliant with the WHO guideline on microcystins levels (1ppb).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17724","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17724","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":59,"ProjectCode":"2002-PHD2-34","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Irish Ecoregion Community Training-set and Ecological Restoration Targets","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Catherine Dalton","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2003","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2006","Keywords":"Lake; Typologies; Restoration targets; Plankton","ProjectAbstract":"This project will examine aquatic planktonic and benthic elements in Irish lake typologies to develop ecological restoration targets. This will be achieved via the development of a community-based training-set (incorporating diatoms and cladocera), application of palaeolimnological techniques and the use of analogue matching. Diatoms and cladocera are the most abundant of freshwater organisms, are very sensitive to a wide range of chemical and environmental factors, and leave readily identifiable signatures in the sediment record. The project will utilise the historical record in lake sediments by comparing it to contemporary communities in a range of modern reference lakes. Examination of a range of sediment time slices, prior to deterioration in lake water quality, will help determine a range of target conditions for partial or complete restoration in water quality.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17725","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17725","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":60,"ProjectCode":"2002-PHD2-36","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A test of different ecological response to nutrient loads of soft- and hard-water lakes.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kenneth Irvine","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2006","Keywords":"Lakes; Ecological response; Catchment Pressures; Nutrients","ProjectAbstract":"The project will investigate the different ecological responses to catchment pressures as defined by nutrient inputs in three hard water and three soft water lakes. The work will include seasonal field measurements indicative of lake quality, assessment of ecological processes and use of laboratory experiments to identify and quantify mechanisms important for the translation of nutrient load to ecological quality. The project will assess the validity of using scores of quality elements to describe overall ecological status and investigate the potential of parameters of trophic response of biota to nutrients and nutrient deficiency as descriptors of ecological status.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17726","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17726","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":61,"ProjectCode":"2002-PHDe-4\/5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The ecological significance of water availability for Burren plant communities","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bruce Osborne","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2007","Keywords":"Water availability; Burren ecology; Flora; Management","ProjectAbstract":"The Burren area, in Co. Clare, is one of Europe's most botanically important regions, although our understanding of the factors which have shaped the types of plant communities present are still unknown. Given the increased political, economic and conservation issues associated with tourism and altered land use patterns more ecological information is required for the formulation of appropriate management plans for sustained use of this region. We have recently identified water availability as a potentially ecological determinant and this study will provide a detailed assessment of the role of water in the ecology of common Burren plants.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17727","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17727","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":62,"ProjectCode":"2002-W-DS-10","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Identification and Ranking of Nature Conservation Designated Areas, where the Status of Water is an Important Factor","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gearoid O'Riain","Institution":"Compass Informatics Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"11\/11\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"11\/05\/2004","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Habitat; Conservation; Species","ProjectAbstract":"The Water Framework Directive 2000\/60\/EC (WFD) establishes a comprehensive basis for the management of water resources in the EU and will replace several of the existing directives which deal with individual aspects of the aquatic environment. Under Article 6 of the Directive the requirement to provide for the protection of surface water and groundwater of water dependent habitats within designated sites is set out. This article has as it aim the conservation of habitats and species within those sites. As outlined in the EPA project call, the situation regarding these protected habitats needs assessment. It is necessary to establish if the quality and quantity status of the associated waters is sufficient to meet the needs of the habitat or needs improvement. It is also necessary to develop a Register of these Protected Areas. The current project focuses on those areas listed under Annex IV, 1. (V): areas designated for the protection of habitats or species where the maintenance or improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection, including relevant Natura 2000 sites designated under Directive 92\/43\/EEC and Directive 79\/409\/EEC.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17728","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17728","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":63,"ProjectCode":"2002-W-DS-11-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"An assessment of the mathematical modelling in the implementation Water Framework Directive in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kenneth Irvine","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"18\/11\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2004","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Mathematical modelling; Catchment; Water quality","ProjectAbstract":"This proposal is based on the belief that effective implementation of the WFD requires well focussed mathematical modelling which needs to be simple in its application and\/or well supported by appropriate expertise. The objectives of this study are to produce an assessment of the application of mathematical modelling to the implementation of the WFD. It will: 1. Identify, and categorise by generic type, models of potential use for the WFD and with due regard to the application of modelling for this purpose in other EU countries; 2. Provide a review, and recommendation for the use, of models to assess risk of catchment activities to quality standards in waters; 3.Review application of models for the identification and quantification of important internal processes which impact on ecological quality of surface waters and chemical and quantitative status of groundwaters; 4. Recommend best practice for use of large data sets in each waterbody type; 5. Examine the AI based models developed for use in England and Wales. assessing the potential of these techniques for the development of models based on Irish data; 6. Identify and critically assess models of potential use in order to make recommendations of a cost-effective use and development of models to assist with the implementation of the WFD in Ireland. The project will test a number of off-the-shelf models for ease and reliability of use. It will, however, embark on this process at an early stage, as testing of models after a complete literature search is considered unfeasible within the timescale of the project. It is unlikely, given the breadth of expertise within the Consortium, that any major modelling approach used currently will be overlooked. This approach to pilot testing does not preclude a balanced approach to the study. Any new models which are revealed in the course of the review which appear to have high potential for implementation of the Directive in Ireland will be identified as such, and tested as far as possible within the duration of the project. Finally, the project will assess the feasibility of linking models with GIS in order to provide a predictor of the effect of changes within the catchment on type-specific quality scores.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17729","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17729","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":64,"ProjectCode":"2002-W-DS-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a Methodology for the Characterisation of Unpolluted Groundwater","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Imelda Shanahan","Institution":"TMS Environment Ltd","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2004","Keywords":"Groundwater bodies; Chemical Status; Water Framework Directive; Characterization","ProjectAbstract":"TMS Environment Ltd and Environmental Simulations International (ESI) have been commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to undertake a research project to help satisfy Irelands commitment to assess the chemical status of groundwater bodies under the Water Framework Directive. The detailed objectives of the project are as follows: 1. To review international methodologies for groundwater characterisation with a focus on those proposed by other European Union states; 2.To develop a methodology for an approach to characterising groundwater bodies in Ireland. This will include consideration of the following aspects for each groundwater body: aquifer lithology, groundwater chemistry, rainfall chemistry, hydrogeological conditions and geographical location; 3.To test the developed methodology using available monitoring data. A number of catchments or groundwater bodies will be identified in conjunction with the EPA which provide stringent tests of the methodology developed. Professor John Lloyd, an internationally renowned expert on chemical characterisation of groundwater, will be assisting ESI and TMS in the completion of this research project. The methodology developed will include detailed descriptions of data management protocols and the processing and presentation procedures required to ensure consistency of reporting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17730","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17730","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":65,"ProjectCode":"2002-W-DS-8","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a methodology for the characterisation of a karstic groundwater body with particular emphasis on the linkage with associated ecosystems, such as turloughs","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Johnston","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/12\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"09\/06\/2004","Keywords":"Groundwater; Risk Assessment; Pollution Pressures; Ecology","ProjectAbstract":"Objectives of the study: 1. The development of a risk assessment framework for karst groundwater dependent habitats with particular reference to turloughs. 2. To identify and assess the qualitative and quantitative pressures in Ireland It is understood that the majority of karst groundwater-dependent habitats (specifically 'protected' habitats) are turloughs, albeit of varying types and characteristics. Other habitats (e.g. spring related) will be identified and included, as required. The risk assessment framework will be constructed around the basic source-pathway-receptor concept as has already been used for the national groundwater protection schemes. On the basis of available ecological and hydrological data (collated as part of the study), the objective would be to identify the hazards\/sources of potential impact, the means of impact and the potential receptors in terms of ecology. The risk evaluation is embodied in a ranking of the importance of the sources and potential impacts, as revealed in a wide variety of studies conducted to date. Thus, the strategy of the study will be to identify the key habitats and to classify them, as far as is possible, in terms of their known ecology and hydrology. Available information on the ecologies and hydrology would be compiled on a database. A supporting database would be compiled on the nature of potential hazards for the identified sites and any available interpretation on measured or assessed impacts in terms of flora and fauna. The final stage is to develop an interpretation of these collected results and to identify the key hazards in the context of type habitats (based on the hydro-ecological classification of the turloughs) and how to recognize them in the context of the required response to the Water Framework Directive. 3. To examine the response of turlough ecosystems to hydrological inputs in the context of the time constraints of the study, this component can only be undertaken in the light of sufficient existing data which are only available for the turlough area of South Galway, albeit a protected habitat complex. The objective here would be to develop a methodology for quantitative assessment of risk in terms of appropriate hydrological criteria for use in assessing impacts on turlough ecology. Based on collected data, the method would be to develop frequency duration responses for typical turlough water levels and to relate these to known changes in corresponding vegetation response in the turlough. The risk in this context is developed in terms of a likely 'return period' for a particular level of inundation which may be related to consequential vegetation.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17731","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17731","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":66,"ProjectCode":"2002-W-FS-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Pilot River Basin","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Garrett Kilroy","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/12\/2002","ProjectEndDate":"02\/12\/2005","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Pilot River Basin; Catchment management; Implementaion","ProjectAbstract":"The Water Framework Directive (WFD) will for the first time provide a comprehensive legislative basis for the protection, enhancement and regulation of water quality and quantity for rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and ground waters in the European Union. Fundamental to the successful implementation of the WFD will be the establishment of River Basin Districts and River Basin Management Plans, which will ensure an integrated approach to catchment management. The development of guidance documents from Working Groups at EU level will form the basis for a common strategy for the WFD. To ensure coherence between the different guidance documents and cross applicability, the guidance documents will be tested in selected pilot river basins (PRB). The proposed PRB Fellowship will contribute, from an Irish perspective, to ensuring that the guidance documents are applicable to and workable within all River Basin Districts across Europe. Ireland has proposed the Shannon River Basin as the PRB. Key to the assessment of these guidance documents will be collaboration with participants of the Shannon River Basin District Project. In addition, contact will be required with WFD Working Groups, representatives from other PRB and other related international projects. Several projects initiated by Phase 1 and 2 of the ERTDI programme will have a direct relevance to the implementation of the WFD. Communication with representatives of these projects will provide an opportunity to incorporate findings of these studies to the assessment of the guidance documents.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17732","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17732","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":67,"ProjectCode":"2002-W-MS-16","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Recharge and Groundwater Vulnerability","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bruce Misstear","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"27\/01\/2003","ProjectEndDate":"27\/03\/2007","Keywords":"Groundwater; Sub-catchment; Recharge; Vulnerability","ProjectAbstract":"The objectives are to: 1. Review and evaluate current methods for the estimation of groundwater recharge at sub-catchment level; 2. Review current data availability and identify suitable sub-catchments, which will form the basis of the experimental studies. (These would preferably comprise areas where vulnerability mapping and relevant, long-term, monitoring data already exist); 3. Examine relationships between information from detailed instrumented sites with sub-catchment scale maps of groundwater vulnerability and aquifer potential; 4. Develop a preliminary GIS based assessment tool for the estimation of groundwater recharge (recharge acceptance).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17733","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17733","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":68,"ProjectCode":"2003-PHD3-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The microbiological status of Irish groundwater in relation to human health","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Vincent O'Flaherty","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2003","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2009","Keywords":"Biological Contamination; Drinking Water; Human Health; Groundwater","ProjectAbstract":"Biological contamination of drinking water presents a significant risk to human health. Drinking water is traditionally analysed for coliform bacteria, indicators of biological contamination, but drinking water derived from groundwater is not routinely treated prior to supply in Ireland. This project will determine the microbial load in groundwaters from a number of hydrogeological settings, using culture-independent screening. Microbial occurrence in groundwater will be related to supply site characteristics and hydrogeochemistry. Sources of pathogens will be assessed at a number of sites and related to potentially polluting activities. The risk to human health posed by contaminated groundwater will be evaluated and suitable abatement \/treatment systems will be recommended.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17734","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17734","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":69,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-AI","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Reduction in milk solids content in wastewater to effluent plant","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Joe Costello","Institution":"Wexford Creamery Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/12\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"22\/09\/2006","Keywords":"Dairy industry; Reduced waste sludge; Effluent; Chlorine Dioxide Treatment","ProjectAbstract":"Wexford Creamery Ltd. was established in 1963. It is 80% owned by DairyCrest and 20% by Wexford Milk Producers. The plant which includes processing storage and office accommodation covers 10000 sq. m. It is located one mile from Wexford and overlooks the horseshoe estuary of the Slaney river.The company currently employs 100 people and is one of the most modern cheese plants in Europe. Output consists of approx. 12000 tonnes cheddar cheese per annum i- almost entirely for the export market and upwards of 6000 tonnes of whey concentrate which is sold to a dairy processor on the home market for further processing. Milk usage exceeds 3000 gallons per day of liquid milk. Cream and buttermilk are also produced.The main objective of this project was to reduce whey waste i.e. to minimise the COD and suspended solids content of wastewater prior to treatment in the effluent plant before release to the Slaney estuary. Process modifications were made which resulted in the reduction in waste sludge derived from white whey. This former waste is now processed resulting in savings of ca. 26000\/annum. The introduction of chlorine dioxide treatment as a biocidal agent for evaporative condensate which was previously a waste meant that it is now used in cooling tower water makeup milk tanker cleaning and as a diluent for chemicals in wastewater treatment as well as its already established use in evaporator cleaning (CIP).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17735","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17735","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":70,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-AJ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Clean line and fluorescent penetrant inspection resource conservation project","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"James Phelan","Institution":"PWA International","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Aircraft Engine Repair; New Tanks; Reduced resouces; Reduced waste","ProjectAbstract":"PWA International is based on the Naas Road Rathcoole Co. Dublin. The company employs 150 staff and is involved in the over-haul and repair of aircraft engine cases for large commercial airlines. Engine cases are sent to PWAI from around the world for assessment service and repair. Previously aircraft engine cases were prepared\/cleaned in a clean line featuring a number of open 6000 litre tanks containing chemical cleaning agents and rinse water. These tanks were non-insulated and needed to be maintained at temperatures of 80C. The tanks were emptied periodically and the contents disposed of as hazardous waste. The CGPP project which was completed involved removing a number of the cleanline tanks and replacing the tanks with two closed loop washing machines.The main advantages of the washing machines were a reduction in water consumption, reduction in gas usage as the tanks no longer need to be heated, reduction in the quantity of chemical used and a reduction in the quantity of hazardous waste being shipped off-site for treatment.The quantity of hazardous waste from the cleanline has reduced by 17% from 2005 to 2006 even though 2006 was an extremely busy year for PWA.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17736","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17736","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":71,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-AL","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Energy efficient system for zero waste transport and zero rinse water emission","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Sten Bjorsell","Institution":"Ship Company Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"21\/12\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"21\/09\/2006","Keywords":"Manufacturing; Copper recovery; Rinse water reuse; Waste reduction","ProjectAbstract":"Ship Company specialises in the manufacture of small and medium volume Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) in short times for the electronics industry. This includes Single sided Double sided Multilayer PCBs. Ship Company Ltd also provides a Prototype service to help customers design PCBs. Ship Company has been established for over 24 years in Macroom Co. Cork and currently has 38 employees. Prior to their CGPP project Ship Company had an etchant regeneration system installed on the copper etching process. This system allows etchant to be reused in a closed loop and recovers copper for sale. The focus of the CGPP project moved onto the rinse stream after the copper etching process. Ship Company proposed to investigate and pilot a rinse water reuse system to recover for re-use valuable materials lost to the rinse tanks. One of the technologies evaluated was Vapour Compression Distillation.This project did not proceed on its original course. Some work was done to reduce ammonia usage and emissions. Design work on a rotating cathode for recovery of copper from rinse water was carried out.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17737","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17737","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":72,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-AV","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Recovery of hydrochloric acid and ferric chloride from spent pickle acid","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Terry Hinds","Institution":"Galco Steel Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"19\/01\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"19\/10\/2006","Keywords":"Galvanisation; Water treatment; Reduced Sludge; Reduced energy use","ProjectAbstract":"Glaco Steel Ltd. is the largest Hot Dip Galvanizer in Ireland with plants located in Dublin Cork and Waterford. This project originally aimed to investigate the feasibility of a recovery process to recover and reuse hydrochloric acid and produce a concentrated ferric chloride solution more suited for use in the water treatment process in Ireland. However as a result of the extensive investigations undertaken by Galco as part of this project an alternative solution has been implemented. Increased analysis of spent pickle made Galco more aware of the chemistry of their process and they are now moving to implement simpler solutions which will improve the quality of their spent pickle. These include: i) Implementation of acid degreasing replacing the current caustic degreasing system giving reduced sludge and better pickling efficiency ii) Pickling at a higher temperature giving lower acid solution with a higher iron content (increase energy use compensated by reduced energy use in degreasing step) iii) Addition of iron oxide to the spent pickle in a controlled reaction to boost the iron content and reduce the acid content of the pickle. In Galcois new plant zinc will be practically eliminated from the spent pickle through the design of the plant equipment and layout. This is a classic case of cleaner production - i.e. do not create a waste stream in the first place.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17738","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17738","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":73,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-C","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The optimisation of electroplating activities","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Oliver Bergin","Institution":"Irish Finishing Technologies Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"04\/01\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"04\/10\/2006","Keywords":"Surface treatment; Industry; Reduced waste; Reduced water use","ProjectAbstract":"Irish Finishing Technologies Ltd (IFT) is a sub-contract treatment facility located in the west of Ireland. Founded in 1998 the premises consist of a custom built 17000 square ft facility. The following services are provided; anodizing rack cyanide zinc plating barrel acid zinc plating chromate conversion coating and stainless steel passivation. Formed in 1991 Waterford Plating Company Ltd (WPL) is one of the leading sub-contract surface treatment facilities in Ireland. Waterford Plating Company Ltd consists of an 8000 square ft. facility in the heart of the city's industrial area.The project involved achieving reduced zinc and cyanide concentrations in the electroplating baths without impacting on the quality of the product produced at the Galway site of Irish Finishing Technologies Ltd. and its sister site Waterford Plating Ltd. The key benefits were a reduction in metal hydroxide sludge generation and a reduction in water use. The generation of the hydroxide sludge which is a hazardous waste has been reduced by 40% at the Galway site. Water use has been reduced by 40% saving over 200 litres per round produced or approx. 2800m3 per annum for IFT (comparing the first quarter of 2005 and 2006). An additional bonus of the lower bath concentration is reduced metal usage with the same product performance.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17739","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17739","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":74,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-K","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Moving Towards a More Sustainable Fish Industry","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Suzanne McDermott","Institution":"Atlanfish Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"10\/12\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"10\/09\/2006","Keywords":"Seafood Industry; Natural resource use; Biodegredation; Resource efficient","ProjectAbstract":"Atlanfish Ltd. is a leading processor of Irish seafood products based in Carndonagh Co. Donegal. The CGPP project at Atlanfish aimed to study and monitor the consumption of natural resources and implement process improvements to reduce waste. During the project a production management system was implemented to monitor the generation of waste through the production process. Through the auditing of the information generated by the production management system and studies of water and energy use throughout the process a number of process improvements were implemented. Other changes were made to the purchasing system to encourage fishermen to return underweight or sub-standard material back to the sea and re-use rejected material as bait. These improvements have resulted in: i) 26% water usage reduction ii 2% product wastage reduction iii) over 11000 per annum savings iv over 150000 per annum increased sales.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17740","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17740","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":75,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-P","ProjectAcronym":"ZEST","ProjectTitle":"Zero Effluent Stretch Target (ZEST)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brian Walsh","Institution":"FMC Biopolymer Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"06\/12\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"06\/09\/2006","Keywords":"Biopolymer Manufacture; Pharmacuetical Industry; Water recycling; Public awareness","ProjectAbstract":"FMC BioPolymer manufactures several grades of microcrystalline cellulose (tradename Avicel PH) for use in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The Cork operation is part of a US multinational specialising in chemical manufacturing with headquarters in Philadelphia. This project initiated in November 2004 is concerned with the critical examination of water usage at FMC BioPolymer in Cork. It set out to maximise the internal recycle of water by characterising the process streams seeking consistent optimal operation and applying recovery measures as appropriate to the streams.The overall impact on site water usage since the beginning of the project as can be seen with reference to the figure below is a water reduction of 30%.The projects that have been fully implemented are a scrubber water recycle, a cooling water recycle, an atomiser water recycle and a water balance.These projects do not account for 30% of the water usage however. An increase in awareness on site of the value of water has led to a different approach to water usage. Leaks are being repaired and hoses are not left running; these are only two examples of a wiser approach to water usage.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17741","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17741","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":76,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-T","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Towards sustainable production - closing water and solvent cycles at Millipore","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Quirke","Institution":"Millipore Ireland BV","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/12\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"22\/09\/2006","Keywords":"Manufacture; Water purification; Water filtration; Wastewater treatment","ProjectAbstract":"Millipore has established its operations in Ireland since 1987. The initial phase of the plant manufactured water purification systems and filtration devices. A 1989 expansion of the existing manufacturing facility and the construction of a membrane casting plant was followed by a further expansion in 1998 -1999 to introduce a Hi-flow membrane manufacturing process. The original objective of this project was to implement membrane technology to recover solvents and ultra pure water from specific process streams for reuse in production.These technologies were found not to be feasible due to either economic or technical constraints. Therefore the approach of the project was changed to focus on elimination of the solvent from the wastewater through process improvement. Prevention at source was implemented through the use of wiper blades to prevent solvent carry-over to the next step in the process.A wiper system was designed and trials were carried out that proved positive and therefore the focus of the project changed from internal recovery to prevention. More work will be carried out with regard to the impact of the wiper on membrane quality as well as whether consistent running can be achieved using this system.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17742","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17742","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":77,"ProjectCode":"2004-CP2-U","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Water conservation, why its necessary and the technology to do it!","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Con Furey","Institution":"A Quick Sharp Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Green Entreprise; Industry; Water Conservation; Recycling","ProjectAbstract":"It is the ambition of A Quick Sharp Ltd to introduce the RECycler 414 to the Irish market. This mobile technology will require 75% less water and can run on a reserve tank for up to a week (depending on the nature of the job). The initial 10m3 reserve, required for jetting, will be sourced from rainwater stored at our new facility. Tests have proven that this machine is twice as fast at completing a cleaning task, largely due to the fact that it remains onsite and does not leave for disposal and refill every two hours. The waste water produced by the RECycler is filtered and reused. The waste material is stored at 25% solids up to a capacity of 8 ton. This will in turn reduces by half the emissions created during each cleaning exercise. Frequency of disposal will also be reduced to one tenth of the conventional Jet Vac trucks and this will considerably the time spent commuting from the work site to the disposal site. This will bring about a considerable reduction in fuel consumption, emissions, tyre wear and hopefully take form the increasing traffic volume on our roads. The RECycler will also provide an economic benefit to the customer as there will be significantly less volume for disposal, and with a 75% reduction in the quantity of water used, there will be considerable saving to be made on water consumption. This innovative technology is quite new to the market and was only introduced to Europe in 2002. Since then it has set new standards in the industry and will undoubtedly determine a new direction for the Combined suction and jetting industry.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17743","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17743","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":78,"ProjectCode":"2004-PHD4-6-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of pharmaceutical residue levels and consequent potential health impacts in receiving waters at three Irish sewage treatment plants","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"john tobin","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2008","Keywords":"Wastewater; Sewage; Health; Pharmaceutical residues","ProjectAbstract":"This study will adopt a twofold approach to the assessment of both the presence and health impacts of pharmaceutical residues at three Irish sewage treatment plants (STPs) and their receiving waters. A combination of a comprehensive year-long sampling regime and leading-edge liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) analytical techniques will provide a detailed understanding of the treatment efficiencies achievement by each of the STPs and the resulting discharge levels, as well as a novel overview of the temporal\/seasonal factors affecting environmental pharmaceutical concentrations. Exposure models will be developed incorporating dilution effects at each site and desktop ecotoxicology studies will provide mean and worst-case scenarios of the expected health impacts for a range of biota.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17744","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17744","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":79,"ProjectCode":"2005-CD-H1-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Enhancing Human Health through improved Water Quality.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Martin Cormican","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2011","Keywords":"Water quality; Pathogens; Human health; Aquifiers","ProjectAbstract":"Sustainable access to safe drinking water: is universally recognised as a key issue in human health and development. Treatment of water intended for human consumption to eliminate recognised infectious and toxic contaminants plays a central role in ensuring access to safe drinking water but it is not sufficient to rely only on conventional treatment. It is important to protect water sources against bacterial contamination and to consider also the adverse health impacts of contamination of water with antimicrobial substances and non-bacterial pathogens such as protozoans. This project will assess temporal variation in the occurrence of pathogens in aquifers across a vulnerability gradient. It will develop molecular biology techniques to discriminate between human and animal sources of faecal contamination in water sources to increase insight into human\/animal sources of faecal contamination. The project will examine the potential for effluent and water to contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and examine the relevance of spatially-related data including water supply to the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis in the population. The project will also develop a Microbial Risk Assessment (MRA) model for catchment waters which can be used both to identify when potable water is at high risk of being contaminated.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17745","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17745","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":80,"ProjectCode":"2005-CP3-2-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Vapour Compression Distillation combining innovative components for highly energy efficient water purification and recovery.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Sten Bjorsell","Institution":"Ship Company Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"19\/12\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"19\/06\/2007","Keywords":"Manufacture; Energy efficient; Water purification; Water vapour","ProjectAbstract":"Ship Company Ltd (Ship) has specialised in the manufacture of small and medium volume single double-sided and multilayer Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) for the electronics industry. They also provided hard gold over nickel and wire bonding quality gold on the whole PCB. SHIP wanted to develop a process that was in part based on earlier ideas and in part conceived during their Phase 2 CGPP project. The objective was to develop an energy efficient system for purifying water by capturing the heat energy contained in water vapour. The driving forces of the project were scarcity of water and increased cost of energy. These are common problems for companies in Ireland across Europe and worldwide. Many systems have been developed to purify water. One is Vapour Compression Distillation (VCD) that uses compressors to condense water vapour and heat exchangers to deliver and capture the heat energy. The disadvantages of conventional VCD units are the energy needed for compression and the requirement to have a leak free design. The engineering necessary adds to the initial construction costs plus running costs with replacement of seals etc. The initial design was based on the concept that the air above a dilute salt solution has a higher vapour pressure than the air above a concentrated salt solution. Trials and small laboratory scale rigs were set up in Inter-Euro Technology Ltd (IET) in Carlow to test the concept. Ongoing discussions between IET and Ship led to the design being modified and simplified by passing air through successive sprays of either ordinary water or a concentrated solution of a salt such as magnesium chloride. Although the only energy input was low pressure spray temperature increases of over 4 oC were achieved within a few minutes. Yet to be tested are concepts to expand the 4 oC increase closer to its theoretical maximum and introduce feed back to raise overall temperature differences beyond the single step maximum. The design developed in this project is innovative in that it captures the heat of vapour of water in a design which does not need a leak free system and which only uses low energy pumps to generate a fine mist of either ordinary water or a concentrated solution.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17746","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17746","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":81,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-DS-21-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Energy Efficiency Improvement of Wastewater Treatment Processes Using Process Integration Techniques","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Theodore Zhelev","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"20\/11\/2007","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Methodology; Energy conservation; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"The objective of this study is to create methodology assisting the design or redesign of wastewater treatment plants of higher efficiency. The expected benefits will result in a. Methodology for analysis and evaluation of existing facilities; b.Targeting showing eventual scope for energy efficiency improvement; c. Bottlenecks identification; d. Design guidelines assisting the redesign\/retrofit design for efficiency improvement and e. Support decision-making in case of alternative centralised\/decentralised \/combined wastewater treatment options. The methodology will utilise the Process Systems Integration approach proven in hundreds of process applications over the past 15 years. It will utilise the Pinch principles and will extend the integration concepts for the specific area of wastewater treatment. The target area will cover both aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment facilities. The first one will seek benefits from electrical energy conservation minimising the aeration\/oxidation energy demand when the second target area will benefit from maximum energy recovery\/reuse synthesising the winning heat exchange network where a special account is made of long-term disturbances and dynamics (rapid seasonal changes) of the population in tourist areas (such as Killarney). In addition a decision-assisting procedure will advise strategy for centralised\/decentralised wastewater treatment accounting for the dynamics of the changeable financial environment.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17747","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17747","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":82,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-LS-10-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Novel Biotechnological Approach To Phosphorus Removal From Wastewaters.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"JohnW McGrath","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2010","Keywords":"Wastewater; Phosphorus; Removal; Biotechnology","ProjectAbstract":"Phosphate removal from wastewaters is important for the control of eutrophication and is enforced by strict legislation. Current technologies employed to achieve discharge consents are expensive and\/or unreliable. We have discovered that certain activated sludge micro-organisms show greatly enhanced phosphate uptake accompanied by intracellular polyphosphate accumulation if exposed to a short period of acid pH. We have demonstrated the potential of this system at the pilot scale (2000 litres) and are now engaged in a full scale trial; P removal may be increased by up to 80% using our acid pH process. This previously-unreported phenomenon thus offers the prospect of a novel solution to a serious environmental problem. Prerequisite to further exploitation of our novel P removal process is a greater scientific understanding of the i'acid stimulationi phenomenon.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17748","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17748","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":83,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-LS-14","ProjectAcronym":"SmartCoast","ProjectTitle":"Marine monitoring system based on the optical oxygen sensing and respirometry","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"DmitriB Papkovsky","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"15\/01\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"15\/01\/2009","Keywords":"Water quality; Monitoring; Environmental technologies; Autonomous deployment","ProjectAbstract":"Part of suite of three projects co-funded with Marine Institute in the area of Environmental technologies and water quality monitoring. Three published reports STRIVE 23 29 & 30.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17749","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17749","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":84,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-LS-15","ProjectAcronym":"SmartCoast","ProjectTitle":"Demonstration of a miniaturised multi-channel cytometry system and its suitability for autonomous deployment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Alderman","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency; Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"15\/01\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"15\/01\/2009","Keywords":"Water quality; Monitoring; Environmental technologies; Autonomous deployment","ProjectAbstract":"Part of suite of three projects co-funded with Marine Institute in the area of Environmental technologies and water quality monitoring. Three published reports STRIVE 23 29 & 30.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17750","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17750","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":85,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-MS-27-M3","ProjectAcronym":"WETBALANCE","ProjectTitle":"A complete water and pollutant balance for a constructed wetland treating wastewater from a dairy processing plant (WETBALANCE)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary Kelly-Quinn","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2009","Keywords":"Wastewater; Groundwater; Wetland; Treatment","ProjectAbstract":"The utilisation of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment is increasing in Ireland. Concerns exist about leakage of wastewater and pollutants to groundwater. This demonstration project which is unique not just for Ireland but globally will for the first time assess the full balances for water and pollutants of a newly constructed wetland for treatment of wastewater from a dairy processing plant.The water balance will be assessed by monitoring input flows movement to\/from groundwater evapotranspiration and output flows. The pollutant balances are affected by the water movement but also depend on the development of the wetland ecosystem. Because this is a newly constructed system it is not expected to optimally remove pollutants initially particularly those affected by plant growth (N P etc.) but this will improve as the ecosystem matures over the first two years.The outcomes of the research will be presented at scientific conferences and in scientific journals but will also be made accessible to all stakeholders. In addition to a technical report to the EPA a summary for lay persons will be prepared. A dedicated website will be maintained with information about the project for specialists and non-specialists.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17751","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17751","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":86,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-MS-29-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"High-rate anaerobic digestion as a core technology for sustainable treatment of municipal and low-strength industrial wastewaters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Vincent O'Flaherty","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2009","Keywords":"Wastewater; Treatment; Anerobic digestion; Renewable energy","ProjectAbstract":"Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a biological process of waste treatment which converts organic matter to biogas a useable fuel and a renewable energy source. The process occurs in bioreactors where the microbes which carry out the process are retained as biofilms. AD is an established sustainable waste treatment technology for residues from various sources including industrial processes and agriculture. It has advantages over the conventional aerobic treatment approach including lower capital and operating costs. To date AD has not been applied for direct treatment of municipal wastewaters or domestic sewage due mainly to concerns regarding the stability and efficiency of low-temperature AD. Recent advances in AD research and technology by the applicants and others have indicated that high-rate low-temperature AD is a feasible and highly efficient approach. This project will using state of the art methodologies evaluate the applicability and underlying microbiology of low-temperature AD for municipal wastewater treatment under Irish conditions. If successful this innovative approach with AD as the core technology for municipal wastewater treatment will revolutionise the field of wastewater treatment realise a major commercial and technological opportunity and facilitate future sustainable development in Ireland.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17752","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17752","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":87,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-MS-30-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The use of mesoporous silicas to absorb and separate metals and nanoparticles from aqueous or organic solutions","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Justin Holmes","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2009","Keywords":"Water treatment; Technology; Water-borne metal contaminants; Nanoparticles","ProjectAbstract":"This project details research and resources necessary to evolve new mesoporous materials for effective mediation of metal and nanoparticle pollution. The work builds on methods and techniques developed in our world respected group. Mesoporous solids have regular structures of pores and provide much higher surface areas with higher accessability than other possible absorbents. Furthermore they can be chemically tailored to selectively absorb chosen materials. Of particular interest here is examining the problem of water-borne metal contaminants. We have also extended the work to examine their effectiveness in absorbing or filtering nanoparticles. Nanoparticulate technology is advancing rapidly but as of yet their impact on health largely unassessed. However it is expected they will have detrimental effects on inhalation and swallowing. Thus a potential means of removing these is an important concern. Their small size makes this impossible with many filtration products available today and therefore tailored materials for this purpose are likely to be in strong demand as this sector if industry grows.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17753","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17753","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":88,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-MS-31-M3","ProjectAcronym":"SND SBBR","ProjectTitle":"Nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater by means of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) in modified sequencing batch biofilm reactor systems (SBBR)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Xinmin Zhan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/01\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"09\/06\/2009","Keywords":"Wastewater; Slaughterhouse; Denitrification; Nitrification","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed project aims at studying nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater by means of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) in modified sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) systems. There will be four phases in one complete SBBR operational cycle: fill alternating aeration and mixing settle and draw. Under optimal conditions SND including autotrophic denitrification will take place in SBBR systems. In the three-year study duration one doctoral student and one masters student will carry out the study through laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments. This project will comprise four work packages: 1.the study of the performance of nitrogen removal by means of SND in laboratory-scale SBBR systems; 2.the study of mechanisms of SND in the laboratory-scale systems; 3.the study of nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater in a pilot SBBR system and 4.the documentation of design protocols on SBBR systems for nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17754","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17754","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":89,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-MS-38-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of an alum sludge based constructed wetland system for improving organic matter and nutrients removal in high strength wastewater","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Yaqian Zhao","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"30\/10\/2010","Keywords":"Wastewater; Constructed Wetland; Anthropogenic pressure; Alum Sludge","ProjectAbstract":"Constructed Wetland (CW) has been widely used as a popular alternative for the treatment of various wastewaters due to its viability low operating cost and 'green' image. However challenges for CW technology to treat high strength wastewaters have arisen due to the rapid growth of population and industrial activities in recent years. The proposed study aims to develop a novel and innovative CW system to enhance organic matter and nutrients removal when high strength wastewater is treated.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17755","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17755","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":90,"ProjectCode":"2005-ET-S-7-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"From waste into Useful Material: Identifying Adsorption capacity of dewatered alum sludge for Phosphorus removal","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Yaqian Zhao","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2007","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Alum sludge; Phosphorus; Sustainability","ProjectAbstract":"The future development of the economy is closely connected with the contributions achieved by sustainable development including more efficient utilisation of resources and the reduction of the negative impacts of these processes on humans and the ecosystem by supporting resource conservation and recycling. The sludge derived from the drinking-water treatment is an inescapable by-product and has been historically reviewed as a -waste for landfill. Alum sludge refers to the water treatment residual when aluminum sulphate was employed as chemical coagulant to be added to raw waters. The raw alum sludge contains flocs of humic matter and metal hydroxide in which the impurities removed from the natural water are entrapped adsorbed or chemically bounded. It is noted that due to the feature of generation of alum sludge aluminium hydroxides become the important composition of the sludge once it has been dewatered. This makes a possibility of reusing such kind of sludge as a valuable raw\/source material in wastewater treatment as the ions enhance adsorption and chemical precipitation processes that remove various pollutants especially phosphorus (P).Groups of experiments in this study were designed to explore the P adsorption characteristics especially the adsorption capacity by dewatered alum sludge collected from the local water treatment plants namely Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plants and Leixlip Water Treatment Plant. Extensive batch adsorption tests followed by a series of alum sludge-column experiments were conducted with artificial and real P-enriched wastewater. The results have demonstrated that dewatered alum sludge has the potential to be used as raw material for a wide range of P species removal in simulated and real P-enriched wastewater. Considerable amounts of P can be adsorbed onto a relatively low mass of dewatered alum sludge. The adsorption capacities obtained from the Langmuir isotherm vary for the different types of P species as well as the pH of the P suspension. The highest adsorption capacity is obtained for orthophosphate (say KH2PO4) followed by polyphosphate (say (NaPO3)6) and finally organic phosphate (say C10H14N5O7Pi\u00ef\u00bf\u00bdH2O). P adsorption favours acidic suspensions rather than alkaline suspensions for all the three P species tested. Long term P-adsorption tests have revealed the adsorption capacity of the two alum sludge studied which is given in the following Table.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17756","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17756","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":91,"ProjectCode":"2005-FS-30-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Pharmaceutical residues within sewage sludges","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Leon Barron","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"27\/03\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"27\/03\/2009","Keywords":"Wastewater; Treatment; Sludges; Pharmaceuticals","ProjectAbstract":"The potential threat of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) to the environment has emerged as a topic of concern in recent years. To date there exists a dearth of analytical methods to empirically determine their occurrence in solid media. This 3-year research and development project focused on a number of topics surrounding the exposure of pharmaceuticals to the terrestrial environment through land-spreading of municipal biosolids (sludges) on agricultural land. More specifically the aims of the project were: i) To identify which PPCPs may occur at significant levels in wastewater treatment sludges; ii) To develop robust analytical methods for soil and sludge analysis; iii) To compare any occurrence data with that from a European case-study; iv) To determine the solid-water partition coefficient for all compounds in aqueous sewage sludge and soil suspensions; v) To model sorption data in order to identify preferred sorption modes in the environment; vi) To assess the mobility of such compounds in sewage sludge amended soils after exposure to rainfall. Pharmaceuticals chosen for studyA total of 61 PPCPs were chosen to encompass a wide variety of therapeutic classes specifically deriving from antibiotics analgesics non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) beta-blockers anti-psychotics and illicit drugs of abuse. Many of these compounds were chosen based on sales data for the Republic of Ireland (Irish Medicines Board) and Norway. Antibiotics were of particular concern and a selection of 14 compounds covering sulfonamides macrolides fluoroquinolones antibacterials bacteriostatics and antifungals were included. Analytical methodologies: An analytical method was developed to determine a large selection of frequently prescribed and consumed pharmaceuticals in biosolid enriched soils and digested sludges. Using a combination of pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS\/MS) it was possible to detect analytes in each sample type at the low-sub ng\/g level. Solid phase extraction efficiencies were compared for 6 different sorbent types and it was found that Waters Oasis HLB cartridges offered enhanced selectivities with 20 analytes showing final method recoveries 60 % in both soils and digested sludges. The method was validated for linearity range precision and limits of detection in both sample matrices. All analytes were then determined in sludge enriched soils as well as the precursor thermally dried sludge fertilizer produced from a primary wastewater treatment plant. Levels of the antibacterial agent triclosan were found to exceed 20 g\/g in digested sludge and 5 g\/g in thermally dried sludge cake. Significant traces of carbamazepine and warfarin were also detected in the above samples. Alternative separation methods were also investigated and involved the characterisation of ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography and long monolithic column technologies to reduce ion suppression effects in mass spectrometry.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17757","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17757","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":92,"ProjectCode":"2005-FS-35-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Macroalgal biomonitoring - applying phenolic compounds as biomarkers for metal uptake characteristics in Irish coastal environments","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Solene Connan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"24\/12\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"24\/12\/2008","Keywords":"Coastal water; Transitional water; Metal contamination; Macroalgal biomonitoring","ProjectAbstract":"Although brown seaweeds are commonly applied as biomonitors for metal contamination in coastal and transitional waters, the environmental impacts (e.g. eutrophication, salinity) on phenol contents, which are largely responsible for their metal-binding properties, are poorly understood. This project quantifies variation in seaweed metal accumulation caused by environmental impacts on phenol production, composition and exudation both in situ and in culture experiments. Research outputs include a report on the contaminative status of selected coastal sites, the development of a standard protocol in brown algal biomonitoring of metals in Irish waters, considering environment-induced variation in algal phenols in situ, and recommendations for improved coastal management including seaweed harvesting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17758","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17758","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":93,"ProjectCode":"2005-GIS-FS-25","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Integrated GIS and Neuro-fuzzy analysis for use in River Basin District management","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ahmed Nasr","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2010","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; River Basin Districts; Management; GIS","ProjectAbstract":"In this study, a new tool is proposed for use in the management of River Basin Districts as required by the Water Framework Directive. The tool will be primarily used to predict the impact of management scenarios on water quality and quantity variables. It will be built on an ArcGIS framework and it will incorporate the-state-of-the-art Neuro-fuzzy systems as a time series model. Moreover, an Auto-Regressive-Moving-Average model will be added to allow of using the tool in a forecasting mode when future data becomes available. Finally, a GIS module for processing input\/output data will be written to enable identification of spatial and temporal patterns.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17759","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17759","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":94,"ProjectCode":"2005-MS-15-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"An investigation into the effective distribution of on-site wastewater effluent into percolation areas and the treatment performance of sandy subsoils and constructed wetlands","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2009","Keywords":"Wastewater; On-site Wastewater treatment; Sandy Subsoils; Wetlands","ProjectAbstract":"The safe disposal of on-site wastewater is essential for the protection of groundwater in Ireland and has come more into focus recently due to the publication of the EPA guidance manual Treatment Systems for Single Houses (EPA 2000). This project reports the results from four separate field trials carried out on separate sites covering a range of different subsoil types whereby two sites were discharging septic tank effluent into conventional percolation areas and the other two sites were discharging secondary treated effluent from a peat filter into similar percolation areas. Stratified sand filters were also constructed one receiving septic tank effluent the other receiving secondary treated effluent for comparison. The short duration of the research (the maximum amount of time that each site was monitored was 12 months) andthe limited numbers of sites investigated mean that only tentative conclusions can be made about on-site wastewater treatment at this stage which will hopefully be corroborated by further research in the future.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17760","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17760","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":95,"ProjectCode":"2005-PHD5-B-29","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Quantifying links between turlough vegetation community diversity and hydrology","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Stephen Waldren","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"04\/07\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"04\/09\/2012","Keywords":"Turlough; Vegetation; Diversity; Flooding","ProjectAbstract":"This project will derive quantitative relationships between the vegetation of turloughs (priority EU habitats, largely restricted to Ireland) and the incidence of flooding. Vegetation communities in a range of turlough basins will be described quantitatively, thereby providing great improvement on currently available qualitative descriptions. These data will be used to describe how vegetation changes along gradients of flooding, using data derived from continuously monitored water depth in selected turlough basins, and this approach will be used to derive predictive models of turlough vegetation in relation to flooding. The information provided will help to deliver both environmental and biodiversity conservation policy. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17761","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17761","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":96,"ProjectCode":"2005-PHD5-EH-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Towards Developing A Microbial Risk Assessment\/Forecast Model For Cryptosporidiosis","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Nicholas Holden","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2010","Keywords":"Drinking water; Cryptosporidiosis; Microbial risk assessment; Model","ProjectAbstract":"A trial microbial risk assessment will be developed using GIS for a water source of a municipal water system to identify when potable water is at a high risk of being contaminated with zoonotic enteric pathogens via surface pathways. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts will be used as the indicator organism. The data layers in the GIS will include: 1. soils; geology; stock density; 2. animal husbandry; 3. farm storage of animal wastes; 4. animal waste disposal practices; 5. data from biological surveillance of the environment, and meteorological data. Field monitoring will provide probability data for oocysts prevelance and survival along the transport vector and geo-spatial analysis within the GIS will be used to estimate probability of the transport vector being active from source to target. Monte Carlo simulation will be used to determine the risk of contamination of potable water in the trial area.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17762","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17762","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":97,"ProjectCode":"2005-PHD5-EH-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"An investigation of the health risks associated with private rural well schemes in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bruce Misstear","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2009","Keywords":"Drinking water; Private rural wells; Health; Groundwater","ProjectAbstract":"The subject of this research is the health risks associated with small private rural drinking water schemes in Ireland. Methodologies applied in the USA and elsewhere would be applied to existing water quality data from Ireland to quantify the health risks, especially with respect to microbial contamination. These risks would be linked to the vulnerability to pollution of the water source. The project will focus on groundwater sources, since these are the most numerous water sources for private schemes. Guidelines will be produced for the private consumer on how to locate, implement and operate new well schemes. This guidance will take account of the level of public awareness about water contamination and health, which will be determined in the project by carrying out surveys of private well owners attitudes and awareness.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17763","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17763","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":98,"ProjectCode":"2005-PHD5-S-4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Quantifying dissolved carbon losses from soils: effects of land use and management practices","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bruce Osborne","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"03\/01\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"03\/01\/2010","Keywords":"Soils Carbon Storage; Land use; Carbon Losses; Groundwater","ProjectAbstract":"There is major uncertainty in the estimates of carbon storage in soils due to significant losses of carbon via ground water. Land use and management will influence ground water carbon losses but they are rarely quantified and direct comparisons between land-uses have not been made. To address these uncertainties, we will measure ground water carbon losses for three of Ireland's major land use categories, arable, grassland and forest, as well as examining the influence of different land management systems. By utilizing ongoing measurements of carbon dioxide exchange, we will provide an improved assessment of carbon sequestration potential of managed ecosystems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17764","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17764","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":99,"ProjectCode":"2005-PHD5-SPI-4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Participative Democracy and the EU Water Framework Directive: A Sociological Study","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary Kelly","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"18\/08\/2011","Keywords":"Public Participation; Water Framework Directive; Knowledge; Perception","ProjectAbstract":"This research project will undertake a sociological analysis of how the public consultative and participative processes required by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000\/60\/EC) are being organised and practiced in the Republic of Ireland. The project will explore three interrelated research questions regarding: 1. The social, economic, political and institutional contexts which influence the consultative and participative organisational forms and practices; 2. The cultural and discursive resources of the participants, and how these are used strategically both in interaction within the consultative group and with relevant interests and publics outside the group, and 3. The consequences of these participative organisational forms and practices in term of promoting participative and inclusive democracy and the related societal and institutional learning necessary to support the attainment of environmental sustainability objectives.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17765","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17765","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":100,"ProjectCode":"2005-SC-LS-13","ProjectAcronym":"SMART Coast","ProjectTitle":"SMART Coast","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dermot Diamond","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"08\/01\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2009","Keywords":"Technology; Monitoring; Sensors; Water Framework Directive","ProjectAbstract":"Environmental and water quality monitoring is key to measuring and understanding the chemical and biological quality of water and for taking reactive remedial action. Over the coming years monitoring of water bodies will increase within Europe in order to comply with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD Council Directive 2000\/60\/EC) and globally owing to pressure from climate change. The establishment of high quality long-term monitoring programmes is regarded as essential if the implementation of the WFD is to be effective (Grath et al. 2007). However the traditional spot\/grab sampling using conventional sampling and laboratory based techniques can introduce a significant financial burden and is unlikely to provide a reasonable estimate of the true maximum and\/or mean concentration for a particular physico-chemical variable in a water body with marked temporal variability. When persistent fluctuations occur it is likely only to be detected through continuous measurements which have the capability of detecting sporadic peaks of concentration.The use of in-situ sensors capable of continuous sampling of parameters offers the potential to reduce costs as well as providing more up-to-date information and better coverage representing long-term trends in fluctuations of pollutant concentrations (Greenwood et al. 2008). The ideal monitoring system of the near future might consist of a network of sensors deployed at key locations capable of autonomous operation in the field for a year or more (Grath et al. 2007). The data from the monitors will be communicated by wireless technology for processing and interpretation. Although some elements of this ideal system are in place ongoing research and development is required in several areas relating to both sensor development and field-testing. The SmartCoast Project co-funded by the Marine Institute & EPA (Grant Aid agreement No. AT\/04\/01\/06) aimed to develop novel sensing technologies that can continuously collect data on water quality in lakes rivers and estuaries and transmit this information via wireless links directly to a computer delivering detailed data at levels that would be difficult if not impossible to achieve otherwise. This project established a unique consortium of partners comprising of two of the most relevant University research centres (the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) Dublin City University; and Tyndall National Institute (TNI) University College Cork) together with an SME prototype development company (The National Microelectronics Applications Centre (MAC)) a specialist SME already operating in the water quality monitoring area (Intelligent Data Systems formally Marine Informatics) and two end-users (Marine Institute and South West Regional Authority (SWRA)) in a focused program of research that will contribute to establishing Irelands reputation as a location for developing futuristic solutions to water quality monitoring issues.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.smartcoasts.eu\/","InternalProjectID":"17766","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17766","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":101,"ProjectCode":"2005-S-ET-12-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Evaluating Microbial Biosensors to Detect PCB Contamination and Degradation in a range of Water\/Soil Environments and Conditions","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Ryan","Institution":"Carlow Institute of Technology","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2009","Keywords":"Microbial biosensors; Environmental parameters; Soil; Wetlands","ProjectAbstract":"Whole cell biosensors are engineered microbes which detect the presence or degradation of target pollutants. This project will evaluate previously constructed Pseudomonas based biosensors and a novel delivery system for the detection and biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorobenzoates. A range of environmental parameters including pH temperature time PCB concentration and depth in soil fresh and salt water and wetland environments are being examined to determine the effectiveness of biosensors in-situ. The analysis of the alginate beads in food samples will also be investigated.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17767","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17767","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":102,"ProjectCode":"2005-S-ET-14-M3","ProjectAcronym":"nanoL-MS","ProjectTitle":"The development of nanoliquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS) methods for the determination of triazine herbicides and endocrine disruptors in wastewater, lake water and drinking water.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ambrose Furey","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2007","Keywords":"Triazine herbicide; Agriculture; Crop production; Surface water","ProjectAbstract":"The triazine herbicides, including, simazine (6-chloro-N,N\u0092-dimethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), atrizine (2-chkloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine and cyanaznie were developed as selective weed killers. Their design function is to disrupt the photosynthesis of broad-leaved plants. In the intensive production of grasses (e.g. wheat, cereals, etc.) broad-leafed plants growing in the grass production area are economically costly, compeditiors with the grasses for nutrients; their removal is facilitated by the triazines herbicides and simazine and atrizine and are the predominant compounds used. Significant amounts of triazine herbicides are consumed by the agriculture each year. However, due to the indiscriminant use of pesticides\/herbicides, traces of herbicides have been found in run-off waters and leachate from agricultural lands. These herbicides can pose a risk to the health of humans and animals as they are suspected carcinogens. The European Community has put in place regulations in order to protect human health, wildlife and the environment. The Regulations designated, Si 439 of 2000, set the following standards for herbicides\/pesticides and related products (A) 0.1 g\/l for each other individual pesticide\/herbicide and related product (such as a growth regulator) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products; and (B) 0.5 g\/l for total pesticides\/herbicides. In surface water, these limits are about an order of magnitude higher (1-3 g\/l). The current maximum contaminant level (MCL) for drinking water for atrizine is 3 g\/l and the contaminant level goal (MCLG) for simazine has been set at 4 g\/l (ppb). It is therefore imperativethat adequate monitoring programmes are implemented in Ireland to assess the triazines herbicides levels in reservoir water, drinking water and wastewater treatment processes. Under the present research a sensitive and specific LC-MS\/MS analytical method was developed and validated to quantitatively determine herbicides in various sample matrices and hence establish if Cork County, the largest agricultural county in Ireland has an environmental problem with triazine herbicides.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17768","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17768","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":103,"ProjectCode":"2005-W-DS-24-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Water Framework Directive, Assessment, Participation, and Protected Areas: What are the Relationships? (WAPPA)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"William Sheate","Institution":"Collingwood Environmental Planning (CEP)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/01\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"09\/01\/2007","Keywords":"Directives; River Basin Districts; Case studies; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has significant interconnections and linkages with other EU legislation. The focus of this study is on the similarities and overlaps between the WFD and the Environmental Assessment Directives (EIA and SEA), the Public Participation Directive and the Birds and Habitats Directives. The study will involve a close examination of the legal texts of the above Directives to provide an initial theoretical analysis of areas of overlap. This will be followed by an email-based questionnaire survey of key stakeholders in the seven River Basin Districts (RBDs) under the WFD in Ireland, to identify more specific issues of overlap for further detailed case study examination across the RBDs. A maximum number of four case studies will then be selected (to be manageable within the time and resource constraints of this project). The purpose of the case studies is to provide illustrative cases (rather than representative) of where the WFD is most likely to interact with the other key Directives in Ireland, and to provide the basis of recommendations for policy makers and stakeholders in how to address potential problem areas arising out of these overlaps.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17769","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17769","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":104,"ProjectCode":"2005-WFD-FS-5-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Water Framework Directive Applied Testing and Evaluation Fellowship","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Garrett Kilroy","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"03\/01\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"03\/01\/2009","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Fellowship; Implemetation; Ground-Surface water","ProjectAbstract":"The primary goal of the WATER Fellowship is to provide highly applied research to contribute to EPA's role in the next phases of WFD implementation within three years, coinciding with the delivery of RBMPs by 2009. To achieve this goal the WATER Fellowship proposes the following key objectives:1. (Approx. 50% of time) Develop case studies and best practice, linking with national and European researchers, to demonstrate how groundwater-surface water issues can be best integrated and addressed in the RBMPs. 2. (Approx. 50% of time) Research support for EPA activities related to WFD: a. Provide scientific advice and carry out testing and evaluation of project deliverables from the NS-SHARE project. b. Provide scientific support to EPA funded WFD ERTDI projects and to the relevant national WFD working groups, and linking with other EPA Research Fellows and the Centre of Excellence on WFD issues. Note: the particular research emphasis on groundwater-surface water interaction issues in objective 1 reflects technical competencies of the project leader. This research will build on the significant contribution made in this area during the PRB project. A minimum of 2.5 days per week will be dedicated on objective 1.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17770","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17770","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":105,"ProjectCode":"2005-W-MS-36-M1","ProjectAcronym":"METRIC","ProjectTitle":"Marine Ecological Tools for Reference, Intercalibration and Classification (METRIC)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Francis O'Beirn","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"23\/01\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"23\/03\/2007","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Coastal and Transitional waters; Assessment; Water quality","ProjectAbstract":"The METRIC project has been designed specifically to meet a key WFD deliverable for Irish Coastal and Transitional waters. This project is being proposed by two scientific agencies which have a wealth of experience in scientific research and data collection directly relevant to the project. The main objective of this project is to support EU Intercalibration exercise in order to set harmonised ecological quality criteria for the assessment of transitional and coastal waters in Ireland. The aim is to acquire a harmonised classification throughout Europe based on Ecological Quality Ratios (EQR). This project will enable Ireland to participate in the exercise which requires Ireland to have supporting quantitative EQRs derived and validated using classification tools developed by UK-Ireland WFD task teams. Intercalibrated and harmonised ecological marine water quality assessment systems will involve: 1. Networking of national and international research activities; 2. Provide guidance for competent authority regarding implementation and compliance with WFD; 3. Development of ecological water quality indicators.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17771","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17771","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":106,"ProjectCode":"2005-W-MS-37-M1","ProjectAcronym":"WINCOMS","ProjectTitle":"Water Framework Directive: Interaction, Negotiation And Communication Of Optimal Measures With Stakeholders (WINCOMS)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Bruen","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"09\/11\/2009","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Decision Support Systems; Requirements; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"This project will provide a detailed assessment of available measures, recommendations for and practical demonstrations of decision support systems which integrate knowledge of the performance of the best available measures with the criteria and preferences of all relevant stakeholders and which can be used for decision analysis, negotiation and mediation in developing WFD policy and measures. The principle objectives are as follows: 1. Produce a comprehensive scientific and technical description of all measures available to meet the requirements of the WFD together with a ranking. 2. Survey existing decision support systems and identify a short-list of 2 or 3 of the most suitable for WFD decision-making. Implement, adopt and test these in a case-study situation (using the ERBD project), evaluate their performance. 3. Identify and study the knowledge, opinions and preferences of all relevant stakeholders and integrate the results with the decision support systems implemented in the project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17772","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17772","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":107,"ProjectCode":"2005-W-MS-39-M1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The impact of plant nutrients on primary productivity in running waters: evaluating the risk to stream health","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Simon Harrison","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"28\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"28\/03\/2010","Keywords":"Plant growth; Water quality; Eutrophication; Nutrient loading","ProjectAbstract":"Excessive plant growth is the main factor associated with the degraded health of eutrophic streams and rivers. Our capacity to effectively manage the nutrient economy of running waters is hindered by a poor understanding of the relationship between nutrient inputs, mainly phosphorus and nitrogen - and ecological responses. In some rivers, for example, high nutrient levels may be associated with high algal and\/or macrophyte growth, whereas in other systems primary productivity may be curtailed by confounding physical, chemical and biological factors. In this project, we will quantitatively assess the impact of these confounding factors on the relationship between plant nutrients and primary and secondary producers in flowing waters, across a range of nutrient-rich streams in Munster. We will also determine the quantitative responses of benthic algae to variable nutrient concentrations, light levels (shading) and grazing pressure in both natural streams and experimental stream channels at UCC. The deliverables of this project will include methods for identifying streams most at risk of ecological degradation through excessive nutrient inputs, management guidelines aimed at mitigating the impact of eutrophication in flowing waters and fundamental insights in nutrient economies of Irish streams.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17773","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17773","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":108,"ProjectCode":"2005-W-MS-40-M1","ProjectAcronym":"ILLUMINATE","ProjectTitle":"Past, current and future Interactions between pressures, chemicaL status and bioLogical qUality eleMents for lakes IN two contrAsting instrumented catchmenTs in IrEland (ILLUMINATE)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Taylor","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"28\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"28\/09\/2009","Keywords":"Lakes; Catchments; Pressures; Ecological pressure-response modelling","ProjectAbstract":"Using a combination of existing and new data for instrumented catchments located in two RBDs within a dynamic coupled ecological pressure-response modelling framework, ILLUMINATE will address important WFD-relevant knowledge gaps relating to ecological responses to individual and combined pressures on fresh surface waters. The two case study catchments comprise cascading systems of inter-connected fresh water lakes and are relatively rich in high quality data which are often lacking for European catchments . The two catchments also comprise examples of 'at risk' categories for lakes, from 'not at risk' to 'at significant risk' and encompass a range of pressures, all of which are likely to vary in the years up to and beyond the deadline for implementation of the WFD. Examining and modelling the significant ecological pressures on lakes, as receptacles for integrations of information relating to overall catchment conditions, over the last c. 200 years and into the future, will form the main focus of ILLUMINATE. ILLUMINATE is scheduled to operate for three years and is based on collaboration between representatives of four universities, the Marine Institute, RBD management groups and a major environmental consultancy, all of whom have extensive, relevant experience.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17774","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17774","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":109,"ProjectCode":"2006-ET-LS-12-M3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Treatment and Monitoring of Nutrients, Odour and Sludge at a Small-town Demonstration Wastewater Treatment System.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Rodgers","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"04\/09\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"30\/06\/2010","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Nutrients; Odour; Sludge","ProjectAbstract":"It is proposed that such a demonstration wastewater treatment system will be built for an existing small town in Ireland in conjunction with Galway County Council. Organic carbon nutrients and odours will be removed using a new low-cost robust biofilm technology which has been developed and tested by NUI Galway at laboratory- and pilot-plant scale. The sludge and effluent wastewater will be finally treated on short rotation willow groves - willow chips are used as a biofuel. Membrane filtration soil sand and wetland filter alternatives will also be installed. The performance of the treatment system will be monitored remotely using samplers sensors analysers and modems. Remote controls will be installed. Computer models and design criteria will be developed and published.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17775","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17775","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":110,"ProjectCode":"2006-FS-NE-38-M4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Modelling national emissions to air and water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Styles","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"21\/08\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"21\/08\/2008","Keywords":"Integrated Pollution Prevention Control; Liscensing management; Environmental pressures; Best available techniques","ProjectAbstract":"The 1996 EC Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licensing (96\/61\/EC) integrated the regulation of emissions to air water and land and the management of wastes and noise into single licences. Integration of impacts across different media and harmonisation across member states was intended to ensure high environmental standards throughout the EU and avoid the shifting of environmental pressures to less-regulated media or countries. Although the IPPC Directive was only formally transposed into Irish law through the Protection of the Environment Act in 2003 a similar form of integrated licensing (Integrated Pollution Control: IPC) had been enforced since 1994 by Irelandis EPA. Essentially IPPC licence conditions specify minimum environmental performance standards including Emission Limit Values (ELVs) associated with application of Best Available Techniques (BAT). Monitoring and reporting of emissions waste export resource consumption and local impacts are also required. This report presents the results of a three-year research fellowship in which air and water emissions data reported by IPPC installations were collated and interpreted in terms of environmental performance and used to infer the effectiveness of IPPC regulation.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17776","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17776","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":111,"ProjectCode":"2006-PhD-AQ-4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Total Carbon Balance of a Blanket Peat Catchment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gerard Kiely","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2010","Keywords":"Peatland; Natural carbon sink; Eddy covariance; Carbon balance","ProjectAbstract":"An assessment of the carbon sink source potential of peatlands should include the losses of carbon in streamwater in addition to the biosphere-atmosphere exchange of CO2 and CH4. The aim of the project is to determine the total carbon balance of a blanket peatland. This will be achieved by determining CO2 exchange using eddy covariance field measurements CH4 emissions using static chambers and dissolved organic carbon input in rainfall and loss in streamwater. A model will be developed to assess the effect of changing climate scenarios on the carbon balance of a pristine peatland in the west of Ireland.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17777","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17777","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":112,"ProjectCode":"2006-PhD-ET-11","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Sensing and Remediation of Nitrates using Copper and Bimetallic Copper Nanoparticles","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Carmel Breslin","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"17\/12\/2012","Keywords":"Drinking water; Sensors; Nitrates; Health","ProjectAbstract":"Nitrates and other nitrogen-containing compounds are harmful to the environment and pose a particular risk when they become concentrated in drinking water. Consequently there is an ever-increasing interest in developing reliable fast and simple sensors to detect low concentrations of nitrate and in developing new environmental technologies to effectively remove nitrates and convert them into harmless products. In this project novel copper and bimetallic copper nanoparticles will be synthesised and used in the sensing and remediation of nitrates with the aim of converting the nitrates into nitrogen which is an environmentally desirable end product making up 78% of the air.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17778","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17778","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":113,"ProjectCode":"2006-PhD-ET-13","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a Novel Process for the Removal of Selected Organic Compounds from Waste Streams","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Tom O'Dwyer","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2010","Keywords":"Wastewater; Organic compounds removal; Calalytic absorbant; Oxidation","ProjectAbstract":"This research project involves the development of a solid regenerable catalytic adsorbent for treating selected organic bearing waste streams. This will be achieved by a two-step process involving first the removal of the aqueous contaminant by adsorption onto a selective adsorbent material and secondly catalytic oxidation of the adsorbed pollutant into oxides of carbon water and nitrogen. It is envisaged that the adsorption step will subsequently permit recycling and re-use of the treated aqueous waste stream and the catalytic oxidation step will subsequently allow the adsorbent\/catalyst material to be re-used in further cycles of the overall treatment process.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17779","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17779","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":114,"ProjectCode":"2006-PhD-ET-8","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Novel alcohol dehydrogenases for the synthesis of chiral alcohols","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Francesca Paradisi","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"04\/09\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"05\/01\/2011","Keywords":"Enzymes; Pharmaceutical Industry; Tolerance; Green Chemistry","ProjectAbstract":"Enzymes from extremophiles (organisms which live in extreme environments) have unusual characteristics of stability and tolerance to harsh working reaction conditions making them extremely appealing for bio-applications and industrial scale-ups. The aim of this project is to clone an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from Halobacterium salinarum an archaebacterium which thrives in highly-salted water to investigate its properties. ADHs can reduce ketones to secondary chiral alcohols which together with their derivatives are in great demand from the pharmaceutical industry. This project targets the production of valuable molecules via bio-catalysis employing a robust biocatalyst (enzyme) with minimal impact on the environment (green chemistry).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17780","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17780","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":115,"ProjectCode":"2006-PhD-S-21","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessing the impact that plant species may have on the diversity and activity of phosphate-solubilising soil microbes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fergal O'Gara","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2009","Keywords":"Phosphate reduction; Surface water; Groundwater; Agricultural Run-off","ProjectAbstract":"Phosphate contamination of surface and groundwater by agricultural run-off is a significant pollution problem in Ireland. Microbial communities in the soil play a key role in solubilising inorganic phosphate thereby reducing leaching and making P available to plants. Knowledge of how different plant species and varieties shape the microbial community and influence the phosphate-solubilising microbiota could facilitate strategies to reduce phosphate pollution. This training project which integrates with ongoing related research applies classical and molecular methods focusing on culturable and non-culturable bacteria and fungi to assess how specific plants affect diversity and activity of the microbes that solubilise inorganic phosphate.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17781","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17781","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":116,"ProjectCode":"2006-PhD-S-24","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Active Microwave Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Padraig Whelan","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"11\/06\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"14\/09\/2011","Keywords":"Soil; Storage; Moisture; Detection","ProjectAbstract":"The amount of water stored in the soil is a key parameter for the energy and mass fluxes at the land surface and is of fundamental importance to many agricultural meteorological biological and biogeochemical processes. The work presented in this thesis investigates the use of spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to characterise near-surface soil moisture content at both the field and catchment scale over agricultural areas in Ireland. In particular the research assesses 1) the inter-annual and seasonal relationship between ASAR Wide Swath Mode (WSM) backscatter and variations in surface soil moisture over grasslands 2) the applicability of backscatter intensity change interferometric coherence thresholding in facilitating soil moisture change detection in agricultural fields and 3) whether C- and L-band Differential Interferometric SAR (DInSAR) can be used for soil moisture change detection. Results highlight the value of merging complementary information derived from both the intensity and phase of the backscattered signal to improve the reliability of the relationship between radar backscatter and soil moisture content and also support the hypothesis that a soil moisture phase contribution exists within differential interferograms covering agricultural areas which may have implications for standard DInSAR analysis.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17782","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17782","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":117,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-11","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The development of a bioremediation product: A study of factors affecting biosorption of chromium by a variety of seaweed species.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Peter McLoughlin","Institution":"Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"08\/10\/2008","Keywords":"Seaweed species; Heavy metals; Biosorption; Proteins","ProjectAbstract":"Heavy metal pollution is a worldwide environmental problem. The presence of heavy metals in the environment is of major concern due to their toxicity and threat to plant and animal life. Effluents from various industrial processes represent one of the most important sources of heavy metal pollution. Chromium is commonly used in industrial application such as in tanning processes electroplating pigmentation catalyst for corrosion inhibitors and wood preservatives [1]. While hexavalent (HCrO-4 and Cr2O72-) and trivalent (Cr3+ and CrOH2+) species of chromium are prevalent in industrial waste solutions the hexavalent form has been considered more hazardous to public health due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic properties [2]. Both the World Health Organisation and the US EPA has set the maximum contaminate level for Cr(VI) in domestic water supplies at 0.05 mg L-1 [3]. Over the past two decades much attention has been focussed on identifying materials that are capable of effectively removing heavy metals from aqueous environments. One such group of materials are known as biosorbents and the passive binding of metals by living or dead biomass is commonly referred to as biosorption [4]. Biosorption exploits the ability of microbial or plant biomass to sequester heavy metal ions from aqueous solution [5]. Various biomaterials have been examined for their biosorptive properties and different biomass types have shown different levels of metal uptake [6]. Among the biomaterials studied seaweeds were found to be extremely efficient biosorbents with the ability to bind a variety of metals [7]. In particular the potential of nonviable seaweeds in the recovery of heavy metal ions from aqueous effluents has been studied [89]. Seaweeds possess a high metal binding capacity [610] where the cell wall plays an important role in metal binding [1112]. This is due to the presence of various functional groups such as carboxyl sulphate and hydroxyl groups which can act as binding sites for metals. The main mechanisms for this include ionic interactions and complex formation between metal cations and ligands contained within the structure of the biomaterials [8]. Biosorption may be based on one or more of the following mechanisms: ion-exchange physical adsorption complexation and precipitation. These mechanisms may differ quantitatively and qualitatively according to the type of biomass its origin and the processing to which it has been subjected. In many biosorption processes more than one of these mechanisms takes place simultaneously and it is difficult to distinguish between the single steps [13]. Although the metal binding properties of seaweeds have been widely studied the mechanisms responsible are still relatively poorly understood. Many of the studies to date on metal biosorption by seaweeds have been focussed exclusively on brown seaweeds such as Sargassum sp.[14-20] and Ecklonia sp. [21-24] with red and green seaweeds studied to a lesser degree. Lee et al. [25] investigated the uptake capacities of 48 red green and brown seaweeds for hexavalent chromium while Hashim et al. [26] studied the biosorption of cadmium by seven species of brown red and green seaweeds.Surface biosorption is the first line of defence seaweed possess in response to heavy metal ion pollution. They also possess cellular proteins which bind the metals and store them in compartments within the cell or exclude them to the surrounding environment. The metal binding proteins are believed to be algal metallothioneins (phytochelatins) [2728]. Metallothioneins are low molecular weight cysteine rich polypeptides that complex i'softi metal ions in thiol clusters. There are three classes of metalothionenins however eukaryotic algae only posses class III metalothioneins also referred to as phytochelatins. The function of these proteins is to chelate toxic trace metals thereby reducing the concentration of cytotoxic free metal ions. These proteins are also believed to be involved in zinc and copper homeostasis. These proteins are not primary gene products however the gene encoding the enzyme phytochelatin synthase which synthesises phytochelatins in vivo is an inducible gene. Therefore seaweed contains very low cellular phytochelatins which is augmented rapidly during heavy metal pollution [29-31].It is the aim of this study to investigate the biosorptive properties of three different seaweed species and to investigate the parameters which could enhance chromium biosorption with the future development of an inexpensive natural biomass with the capability of detoxifying chromium contaminated aqueous solutions.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17783","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17783","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":118,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-13","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a modified seaweed biofiltration system for the control of metals and other pollutants in an industry waste-stream","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eddy Fitzgerald","Institution":"Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/01\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"21\/01\/2008","Keywords":"Seaweed Biomass; Biosorption; Heavy metals; Antagonistic effects","ProjectAbstract":"Three different species of non-living seaweeds biomass (Fucus vesiculosus Polysiphonia lanosa and Ulva lactuca) and a seaweed waste product derived from Ascophyllum nodosum (referred to as WAP) were studied for the biosorption of single and combined heavy metals (Ni(II) Zn(II) Al(III) and Sb(III)). Very high biosorption rates were recorded for the removal of Ni(II) Zn(II) and Al(III) for WAP\/agar blocks and Sb(III) for P. lanosa\/agar blocks. An antagonistic effect was observed when Sb(III) was mixed with the other metals leading to a reduction in uptake. However most of Sb(III) was removed by dead biomass of P. lanosa\/agar. Sorption isotherm studies as well as an investigation of the antagonistic effects of Sb(III) on the sorption of the other metals were also carried out. WAP\/agar blocks were used to test a laboratory scale fixed bed sorption column. Both short and long term studies were investigated. COMSOL software was used to generate models to predict breakthrough curves and simulate biosorption performance.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17784","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17784","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":119,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-2","ProjectAcronym":"EPER","ProjectTitle":"The Implementation of the European Pollution Emission Register (EPER) to Urban Waste Water Treatment Plants in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Josephine Treacy","Institution":"Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"31\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"28\/02\/2009","Keywords":"Wastewater Treatment; Geographical location; Sampling; Metals","ProjectAbstract":"This research has been addressed due to pending regulations namely the introduction of the European Pollution Release and Transfer Register that will be implemented in January 2009. All urban Wastewater treatment plants in Ireland and Europe will have to assess effluent emissions. This study involved sampling and performing analysis on influent and effluent samples from three urban Wastewater treatment plants. The treatment plants in the study were Charleville County Cork Bunlicky Limerick and Ringsend Dublin. An introduction to each plant is provided as well as a comprehensive over view of the processes involved for each treatment plant and a geographical location for each. In addition to this an insight in-to the sampling process is also provided as is the method of preservation for the samples. Information on the treatment stages for domestic wastewater in Ireland is also discussed as is the regulating bodies in Ireland and Europe and the levels of compliance with these regulations. The metals of interest for this study as listed in Annex 1 of the European Pollution Emission Register (EPER) and Annex 2 of the European Pollution Emission Register (ePRTR) Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel and Zinc were analysed by using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and ICP-OES. However alternative methods for the detection of these metals was also discussed. The metals were analysed under strict quality control parameters and both internal and external quality control was exercised. The organic compounds in the study were screened and analysed for using a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer with headspace and a Solid Phase Extraction method using a C18 bonded silica tube was also investigated. Flows from each plant were also investigated and the daily emission value for all compounds on the directive were calculated in relation to each plant individually. The metals on the directive that were found to be above the threshold limits studied were Copper Lead and Zinc. The organic compounds that are on the directive showed no significant levels under the parameters analysed. Chapter 6 is a brief description of the 'Beyond Endurance Education' trip that I had the opportunity to pursue during the final stages of my M. Sc . research.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17785","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17785","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":120,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"An investigation of the effects of enzymatic additions on anaerobic sludge dewatering properties","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Bartlett","Institution":"Institute of Technology Sligo (ITS)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"03\/09\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"03\/01\/2010","Keywords":"Enzymes; Sludge; Fermentaion; Feed-stock","ProjectAbstract":"The work will evaluate the effects of enzyme additions on the dewatering properties of sludge produced in a bench-scale anaerobic digestion study. Sludge will be produced by two bespoke 10L anaerobic digesters at IT Sligo. A controlled fermentation experimental setup will allow for manipulation of variables such as retention time and feed-stock composition. Comprehensive trials will then assess the effects of various combinations of key enzymes on key dewatering parameters. These parameters will include permeability compressibility and optimum conditioner dose. The aim is to determine an optimal combination of enzymes for enhanced sludge dewatering leading to scaling up to pilot-level.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17786","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17786","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":121,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-6","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Treatment of industrial waste water containing active pharmaceutical ingredients with a membrane bioreactor, with the aim of reducing resource consumption","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Noel Duffy","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"09\/07\/2008","Keywords":"Pharmaceutical; Wastewater treatment; Reduced resource consumption; Sludge","ProjectAbstract":"Treatment of Industrial Wastewater containing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients with a Membrane Bioreactor with the Aim of Reducing Resource Consumption Pidraig Colm Maolcatha. The biodegradation of a selected active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) duringwastewater treatment in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) was examined experimentally. A comparison study was conducted by operating a conventional activated sludge (CAS) pilot plant in parallel to the MBR. The MBR was operated under varying conditions of pH (pH6 and pH8) MLSS (6g\/L and 10g\/L) and SRT (20 days and 30 days) accordingto a full factorial design of experiments. In the CAS pH and SRT were altered as above but MLSS was maintained at 3-4g\/L. Comparable average API removal results of 95.5% and 95.7% were obtained for the MBR and CAS respectively. The effluent produced by the MBR surpassed the CAS in terms of the quality parameters: COD removal (MBR-97.97% CASi93.57%) total phosphorous (TP) removal (MBRi88.11% CAS-79.99%) and total suspended solids (MBRi1.08mg\/L CASi62.36mg\/L). Statistical analysis showed that on an individual basis high levels of each of the independent variables resulted in greatest removals of influent API. Following successful removal of the target API it is proposed that previously incinerated waste streams (approximately 156m3 per annum) be diverted to the largescaleCAS WWTP in Eli Lilly. This would result in a substantial cost saving in the order of 76,000 per annum as well as reducing the burden on incinerator capacity. A supplementary investigation into wastewater reclamation was conducted. Should aMBR be incorporated into the CAS WWTP it is proposed that the effluent be reused as incinerator quench water thus reducing well water extraction by up to 288m3 per day.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17787","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17787","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":122,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Nematode geno- and ecotoxicology for environmental monitoring of lead, cadmium and zinc pollution in Irish soils.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Thomas Kakouli-Duarte","Institution":"Carlow Institute of Technology","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Sludge; Enzymes; Anaerobic Digestion; Dewatering","ProjectAbstract":"The work will evaluate the effects of enzyme additions on the dewatering properties of sludge produced in a bench-scale anaerobic digestion study. Sludge will be produced by two bespoke 10L anaerobic digesters at IT Sligo. A controlled fermentation experimental setup will allow for manipulation of variables such as retention time and feed-stock composition. Comprehensive trials will then assess the effects of various combinations of key enzymes on key dewatering parameters. These parameters will include permeability compressibility and optimum conditioner dose. The aim is to determine an optimal combination of enzymes for enhanced sludge dewatering leading to scaling up to pilot-level.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17788","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17788","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":123,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-8","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Photocatalytic surfaces for cleaning urban air using semi-conductor nanomaterials","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Seery","Institution":"Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2009","Keywords":"Photocatylitic oxidation; Air Pollution Control; Water Pollution Control; Solar Energy","ProjectAbstract":"Photocatalytic oxidation has shown to be a promising and effective technology for pollution control (Yu et al. 2002; Fujishima et al. 2000; Obuchi et al. 1999.). Unlike traditional pollution control methods such as adsorption which merely transfers pollutants from gas phase to solid phase 1 photocatalytic oxidation actually oxidises pollutants to CO2 and H2O.1 Photocatalysis emerged as a promising technology in 1972 when Fujishima and Honda split water into oxygen and hydrogen with a TiO2 i- Pt element.4 In addition to water splitting for fuel cell applications photocatalysis is attractive in air and water pollution control due to its potential to use solar energy. 2 In order to allow practical and economical implementation of photocatalysts in the chemical fields of pollutant elimination 3 researchers must produce visible light activated photocatalysts. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been leading the photocatalytic research field for a number of years. It exists in three different crystal forms: anatase rutile and brookite (Figure 1). It is widely acknowledged that anatase is the most photoactive of the three.456 but this can be attributed with the decrease in surface area associated with rutile crystal formation. Degussa P25 is a well-known and widely investigated photocatalyst due to its high activity for many kinds of photocatalytic reaction. It has been found that there is a positive interaction between anatase and rutile TiO2 particles in Degussa P25 powders which enhances the electron-hole separation and increases the total photocatalytic activity. The mixing of an active oxidizing phase (anatase 75%) with a comparatively inactive phase (rutile 25%) can produce a kind of photocatalyst with unusually high activity. The intimate contact between two phases might be sufficient to enhance the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes and result in the highphotocatalytic activity of TiO2.7.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17789","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17789","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":124,"ProjectCode":"2006-S-ET-9","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Passive Samplers for Water Quality Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Marine Environment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Patrice Behan","Institution":"Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"09\/02\/2009","Keywords":"Water Quality; Monitoring; Organic pollutants; Marine ","ProjectAbstract":"Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are internationally considered as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which can be mutagenic carcinogenic and may accumulate in aquatic organisms and potentially in the human chain. PCBs and PAHs are thus listed as priority pollutants in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and under the Convention for the protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (Oslo Paris Convention: OSPAR). Currently most marine monitoring programmes involving such compounds rely on the collection and analysis of discrete water\/sediment grab samples or on the analysis of filter feeding indicator organisms e.g. mussels. Such measurements can provide unrepresentative pictures regarding seasonal variations and point source discharges of contaminants.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17790","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17790","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":125,"ProjectCode":"2007-DRP-1-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Protection of Water Resources: New Materials for the Sensing of Nitrates and Heavy Metals and for the Removal of Organic Contaminants","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bernadette Alcock-Earley","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2013","Keywords":"Water resources; Nitrates; Heavy metals; Organic contaminants removal ","ProjectAbstract":"The three projects are concerned with the formation of new materials that can be used in environmental sensing applications and\/or have the potential to remove the pollutant, i.e. environmental remediation. These novel materials consist of modified conducting polymer films. Conducting polymers have attracted much interest because of their electronic, electrochemical and optical properties. These polymers will be used in all three projects and will serve as a platform technology. The polymers will be modified with either metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes or macrocyclic cages so that the materials are capable of sensing and\/or remediation of nitrates, heavy metals and organic contaminants. These modifications are carefully selected to ensure that the final materials will have the required sensing or remediation capacity. Initially, polypyrrole films will be used, as polypyrrole is one of the most important conducting polymers because of its facile preparation and good stability. Other conducting polymers such as polyaniline and PEDOT will also be employed at a later stage to investigate the role that the polymer matrix has on each system and to determine the best performing polymer matrix.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17791","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17791","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":126,"ProjectCode":"2007-DRP-2-S5","ProjectAcronym":"SCEWA","ProjectTitle":"Early Warning System for Water Treatment Plants as Basis for Defining and Supporting the Concept of Early Warning Analysis (SCEWA)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ioannis M. Dokas","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"07\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"07\/01\/2013","Keywords":"Water Treatment Plants; Early Warning Systems; Mitigation; Effective reporting","ProjectAbstract":"The ultimate objective of this project is to develop an intelligent EWS for WTP that will be accessible on line through the EPA web site. The main users of the early warning system are expected to be the WTP managers and personnel. The objective of the early warnings to the WTP personnel is to minimize the occurrence of operational problems in WTP in Ireland by 'predicting' their occurrence and by transmitting appropriate mitigating and response actions. In case of emergencies the user group might be expanded to include the group of people that have been affected during the occurrence of a severe incident\/accident through the activation of alert services which will be embedded within the EWS and will support email, phone and text alerts. In parallel, we will investigate the potential of using the EWS platform for supporting the reliable and effective reporting of WTP to the EPA. A conceptual use case view of the intelligent EWS is shown in Figure 3.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17792","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17792","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":127,"ProjectCode":"2007-DRP-3-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The assessment and potential human impact of exposure to environmental contaminants on marine and freshwater bivalves.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brian Quinn","Institution":"Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2013","Keywords":"Human health; Environmental toxicology; Environmental contaminants; Freshwater and Marine","ProjectAbstract":"Environmental toxicology, the study of adverse effects of xenobiotics on animals found in the environment, is a very broad discipline incorporating aspects of toxicology, physiology, molecular biology, bio- and analytical chemistry. Laboratory analytical methods exist for the detection and measurement of most contaminants found in the environment, but they are time consuming and very expensive and often impractical for screening programs or routine testing. Also when dealing with multiple chemicals as is most often the case (particularly with municipal effluents), individual measurements may not give assessment of the true toxicity if these act in synergy, in a cumulative manor. It has therefore been recommended that tests should be used that measure the overall toxicity of a sample rather than individual contaminants, with the suggested use of the biomarker approach. Biomarkers consist of biochemical and \/or physiological changes in organisms exposed to contaminants, and thus represent initial responses to environmental perturbations and contamination (Roy et al., 1996). They offer more complete and biologically more relevant information on the potential impact of toxic pollutants on the health of organisms and the environment. Biomarkers can act as a biological early warning system, a set of tools that may be able to respond to certain chemical monitoring requirements of recent European legislation, the Water Framework Directive (WFD2000\/60\/EC), that aims to improve and protect water quality across Europe. In this project we are proposing the use of an integrated chemical and biological effects assessment as the preferred approach for the complete investigation of the impact of hazardous substances in the environment concentrating on the novel pollutants, EDCs and pharmaceuticals leading to the development of a rapid, affordable and dependable assay to test for these substances.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17793","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17793","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":128,"ProjectCode":"2007-FS-B-14-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Biodiversity of aquatic Coleoptera in the Irish farmed landscape. The significance of ponds.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Margherita Gioria","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2011","Keywords":"Biodiversity; Farm Ponds; Beetles","ProjectAbstract":"Ponds are an essential habitat for many plant and animal species and play a central role in maintaining high regional biodiversity. Despite their ecological importance, little information is available on ponds in Ireland. To improve our understanding of the role of ponds as a reservoir of biodiversity and of the effects of agriculture on this diverse habitat, an assessment of the current distribution of farm ponds will be conducted and compared with the past distribution. An ecological classification of Irish farm ponds will be developed and detailed surveys will be conducted, focusing on the diversity of water beetles and plants. Ponds will be evaluated in terms of their current and potential biodiversity.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17794","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17794","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":129,"ProjectCode":"2007-FS-B-4-M5","ProjectAcronym":"NEIDIN","ProjectTitle":"Nutrient and Ecosystem Dynamics in Ireland's only marine nature reserve (NEIDIN).","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mark Jessopp","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2010","Keywords":"Lough Hyne; Marine nature reserve; Water Framework Directive; Water Quality","ProjectAbstract":"Lough Hyne was designated as Europe's first marine nature reserve in 1981. This project aims to address the nutrient and ecosystem dynamics within Ireland's only statutory marine reserve with a view to the possible long-term effects of nutrient flux on the rich biodiversity within its depths and in surrounding coastal waters. The project will be the first long term comprehensive analysis of the water quality within Ireland's only protected marine reserve site and will integrate land use, habitat quality and water management and so influence regional catchment management plans under the Water Framework Directive leading to and impacting on future coastal biodiversity monitoring programmes with a possible view to potential climate change scenarios.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17795","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17795","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":130,"ProjectCode":"2007-FS-B-8-M5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Anthropogenic impacts on marine biodiversity.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Nessa O'Connor","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2010","Keywords":"Anthropogenic Pollution; Agriculture; Nutrient loading; Coastal ecosystem","ProjectAbstract":"This project will quantify the effects of anthropogenically-increased nutrient loads on the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems and identify important mechanisms operating using well replicated experiments. Particular attention will be paid to quantifying the effects of sewage outfalls and agricultural run-off on the diversity of benthic algae and invertebrate communities of sheltered rocky shores and hard artificial substrata. The project will also quantify the effects of nutrient enrichment on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and stability. It will deliver important information highly relevant towards fulfilling national commitments and assist with implementation of the EU Water Framework and Habitats Directives and the forthcoming Marine Strategy.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17796","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17796","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":131,"ProjectCode":"2007-FS-ET-13-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Emerging new nano-technologies for separation of ethanol and water for bio-ethanol production","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Donal Keane","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2009","Keywords":"Renewable Energy; Biofuel; Energy Consumption effiency; Decreased Pollution.","ProjectAbstract":"Renewable energy sources are a cornerstone of environmental policy. Ethanol is the most promising biofuel. As petrol additive it increases octane number and combustion efficiency but decreases exhaust emissions. Increasing petroleum costs are making bioethanol commercially viable. An azeotrope limits distillation to 95% ethanol\/water mixtures but for fuel use the ethanol must be anhydrous. Various methods for dehydration exist but add significant costs. Pervaporation (PV) is emerging as the most environmentally sound method for dehydration but is in its infancy. This proposal seeks to study a series of novel nanomaterials emerging from UCC for use in the PV process.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17797","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17797","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":132,"ProjectCode":"2007-INF-3-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Sectoral Impacts on Biodiversity","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dagmar Stengel","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"28\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"28\/10\/2008","Keywords":"Equipment; Growth cabinets; Aquatic plants; Impact assessment","ProjectAbstract":"Financial support is sought for a temperature-controlled growth facility for environmental plant science to be based in the Botany Department at NUI, Galway. Specifications: The facility will consist of three growth cabinets (e.g. Binder KBW 720 11 V model, 720 litre capacity, with integrated week programme timer with real time function, adjustable ramps adjustable fan speed, stainless steel shelves, inner glass door and environmentally-friendly refrigerant R132a; preferred option or similar in line with procurement policies) with access ports for supply services to shakers and aeration pumps, shakers and lamps of different light qualities (UVc, daylight and high light intensity). Rationale: Algae and aquatic plants are key primary producers in marine and freshwater environments. Research involving experimental manipulation of algal and aquatic plant growth is dependent on adequate, specialised and dedicated growth facilities. The high-precision control of the facility requested in this application is essential for research involving physiological and developmental experiments of algae and aquatic plants. The facility will have multiple uses, support current research capacity of the Department and help attract further funding. State-of-the-art electronically-controlled, programmable illumination and temperature settings will allow accurate in vivo testing of the physiological and biochemical responses of algae (and other primary producers) to key environmental parameters and thus support current and future national and international collaborative research on algal and aquatic plant-environment interactions with applications in environmental monitoring (climate changes impacts, water quality and biomonitoring) and industry (functional foods, biofuels). This facility will allow rigorous impact assessment of long- and short-term changes in the parameters of light quality, light intensity, daylength, temperature and water quality (organic and metal contamination, nutrient concentration and oxygenation). Environmental influences on algal and aquatic plant cell wall composition (the main sink of photosynthate) and developmental processes will also be investigated. This is of particular importance as the manipulation of cell wall biochemistry, such as will be required by the emerging biofuels industry, is dependent on improved understanding of the environmental control of plant growth. The focus of research that will utilise the temperature-controlled growth facility contributes to key strategies of the SSTI, STRIVE, EU FP7 and UN, by developing methodologies that will better enable monitoring of global and local climate change, support environmental policies (including EU Water Framework Directive), industry (impact assessment of marine harvesting and biodiscovery), and postgraduate training. The facility will also significantly strengthen research carried out with existing and future new collaborations, and allow research development and capacity building, specifically in the important area of environmental change.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17798","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17798","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":133,"ProjectCode":"2007-INF-6-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Protecting our Water Resources","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Rodgers","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"26\/03\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"26\/12\/2008","Keywords":"Wastewater Treatment; High water quality; Measuring Parameters; Mobile Research Monitoring Control (MRMC)","ProjectAbstract":"The mobile research monitoring and control (MRMC) infrastructure will allow for the real-time monitoring of wastewater treatment systems providing substantial, accurate and precise research data on their performance. The unit will be transportable in a van and suitable for leaving on-site for a study period of a minimum of 3 days. The collected research data will be used to analyse and optimise the performance of the treatment systems to ensure high water quality in receiving waters. The MRMC facility will be of immense benefit in ensuring proper assessment and operation of wastewater treatment systems in Ireland. It will greatly increase the international journal paper output of members of the applicants research team and their collaborators. It could also form the basis of a commercialisation project. 1. MRMC infrastructure will be designed and constructed around state-of-the-art equipment. The MRMC infrastructure will comprise a central control unit (CCU) with water quality measuring devices and controls (mentioned below). The CCU comprises state-of-the-art equipment from leading manufacturers and process companies (e.g. Foss, Lange, Suez and Veolia etc) with an open ended hardware and software architecture to facilitate additional probes, sensors and controls i.e. additional analogue\/digital cards, and plug and socket type connections that will improve the mobility and flexibility aspects of the infrastructure. 2. The MRMC system measurements will include: flow, temperature, power, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation reduction potential, ammonium nitrogen, conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, orthophosphate, carbon, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide and chlorine in on-site wastewater treatment systems (WWTS). The combination of some or all the above parameters will give a comprehensive overview of the performance of the wastewater treatment system in question. The MRMC infrastructure will allow for the real-time measurement of these parameters for a range of WWTSs. This will be a cost-effective, efficient measuring system that will substantially increase the quality and quantity of data that can be gathered on-site at the WWTS. 3. All sensors and control equipment in the MRMC system will be accessed\/ driven by proprietary software e.g., PLC software and LabVIEW PLC software and LabVIEW with analogue\/digital cards will be used to send signals to the control equipment e.g., samplers and analysers and receive information from the measurement sensors and probes. 4. The resulting data will be stored in the MRMC system for analysis and synthesis. It will be displayed using a human machine interface (HMI) that will be accessed by wireless technology from NUI Galway. The CCU will have data storage facilities. On-site access to the data will be via a HMI on the CCU. Due to the remote location of wastewater treatment systems, remote access will be possible using the PLC software and broadband technologies. Researchers at the team at NUI Galway have experience at setting up these remote connections.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17799","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17799","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":134,"ProjectCode":"2007-INF-7-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sinks, and Management Systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Colin O'Dowd","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/04\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"09\/01\/2009","Keywords":"Cloud Radar; Water vapour profile; Aersol-Cloud Interactions; Infrastructure","ProjectAbstract":"Specification: The MIRA is a Ka-band (33-37GHz\/8.7 mm) doppler cloud radar with sensitivity allowing observations of light to heavy clouds. It is designed for unattended long-term operation. This will be the first deployment of such a radar in a temperate oceanic environment. Rational: The cloud radar will deliver cloud micro-physical parameters such as liquid water path and effective radius. When used in conjunction with a ceilometer (lidar) and water vapour profiler, one can derive cloud droplet concentration. Additional properties such as cloud optical dept and precipitation are also retrievable products. The cloud radar will, in addition to the lidar and water vapour profiler, form a CLOUDNET suite which will be used in combination with an advanced suite of aerosol physics, aerosol chemistry and cloud condensation nuclei instruments to enable the most advanced aerosol-cloud interactions research programme to date. The research programme will specifically address the 1st and 2nd indirect aerosol radiative effect (i.e. the modification of cloud microphysical and radiative properties by aerosols and the impact of aerosols on precipitation and cloud lifetime, respectively). Funding: 77.78% of the cost is already funded by the HEA's PRTLI4 infrastructures programme. The facility will be used for continuous monitoring and for participating in large scale intensive field campaigns such as the FP6 IP EUCAARI Supersite\/Lagrangian Experiments.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17800","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17800","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":135,"ProjectCode":"2007-INF-9-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"No project title available","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Norman Allott","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"28\/03\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"28\/12\/2008","Keywords":"Elemental analyser; Carbon and Nitrogen transfer; Soil water; Surface water","ProjectAbstract":"Instruments to be purchased: 1.Elemental analyser for determination of carbon and nitrogen in soils, sediments, plant and animal tissues. Specification: automated simultaneous determination of organic C and N on small (e.g. plankton) to large solid samples (up to 1 g for soils). Rationale: this instrument is required in combination with Instrument 2 for a) to study transfers of C and N from terrestrial vegetation through soils and soil pore-waters to the aquatic systems, b) determination of C:N ratios in plankton and water (in combination with Instrument 2) and c) determination of C and N in sludges. 2.TOC\/TN analyser for analysis of total organic carbon and total nitrogen in soil waters, surface waters and effluents. Specification: automated simultaneous determination of organic C and total N on soil pore-waters, surface waters and effluents. Rationale: this instrument is required as described above and in addition will be used to quantify total organic carbon in waters and effluents. 3. Scanning fluorescence spectrophotometer. Specification: capacity to produce 3-D plots of fluorescence (in relation to excitation and emission wavelengths) and can also be used for standard fluorescence measurements at single wavelengths. Rationale: this instrument will be used with Instrument 2 for determining fractions of organic matter (e.g. humic and fulvic acids) in soil pore-waters, surface waters and effluents.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17801","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17801","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":136,"ProjectCode":"2007-PhD-B-4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Biodiversity and ecological requirements of meiofauna and a typology for Irish transitional waters.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"James Wilson","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Biodiversity; Meiofauna; Typology; Irish Transitional Waters","ProjectAbstract":"The focus of this project will be the taxonomic investigation of the biodiversity of the understudied meiofauna within the habitats of Ireland's estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The ecological requirements of the meiofauna will be established for priority special protected areas (SPA) in transitional waters along with a salinity-based typology. The application of the meiofauna as bioindicators of SPA habitat quality and degree of anthropogenic impact will also be investigated. Species interactions within and between trophic guilds will be studied, including ecosystem modelling of predator-prey relationships within the meiofauna.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17802","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17802","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":137,"ProjectCode":"2007-PhD-Eh-2","ProjectAcronym":"ARE","ProjectTitle":"Antimicrobial resistant enterococci (ARE) in Irish watersSources, transfers and impacts","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"James Dooley","Institution":"University of Ulster (UU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"05\/11\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"05\/11\/2010","Keywords":"Recreational Water; Antimicrobial Resistant Enterococci","ProjectAbstract":"Antimicrobial resistant enterococci (ARE) are increasingly important pathogens, yet environmental data are scarce. We will explore ARE sources, transfers and potential impacts on recreational waters. ARE occurrence is widespread in subcatchments of the Blackwater River. They would pose a health hazard if they were transferred to Lough Neagh. The project includes sampling daily cycles during low flows and flood events in headwaters and a similar regime for Lough Neagh. Molecular epidemiological methods (MLST) will be used for ARE source tracking. Survival times and resuscitation potential of enterococci strains will be determined to assess their potential threat in water.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17803","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17803","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":138,"ProjectCode":"2007-PhD-EH-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Efficiency of Sligo Secondary Sewage Treatment Systems in the Removal of Cryptosporidium and other Human Enteric Pathogens","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Frances Lucy","Institution":"Institute of Technology Sligo (ITS)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"17\/12\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"17\/12\/2010","Keywords":"Wastewater; Sewage Treatment Systems; Cryptosporidium; Human enteric pathogens","ProjectAbstract":"This project will assess the efficiency of four Co. Sligo secondary sewage treatment plants in removing a range of human enteric pathogens namely Protozoan endoparasites Cryptosporidia spp., Giardia and microsporidiaBacterial indicators Faecal coliforms, Enterococci, Clostridium perfringensEnteric virus. The presence and viability of these enteric pathogens will be assessed by analysing samples from each stage of the treatment process, in the end-sludge and in effluent released to the receiving waters. This will benefit public health by (1) source-tracking pathogens, (2) risk assessment, (3) developing molecular methodologies to accelerate the detection and enumeration of enteric pathogens.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17804","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17804","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":139,"ProjectCode":"2007-PhD-EH-5","ProjectAcronym":"SADOSE","ProjectTitle":"SADOSE - Safe disposal of sewage effluent in coastal waters designated for the cultivation of oysters and for water-contact recreation","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Creed","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2010","Keywords":"Coastal water; Sewage effluent; Disposal; Oysters ","ProjectAbstract":"Sewage effluent in coastal waters used for oyster culture and water-contact recreation poses a risk to human health. The primary pathogen in outbreaks of gastroenteritis following consumption of raw oysters is the Norovirus or 'winter vomiting bug'. The virus is life threatening to those with post-operative stress, the very young and very old. An infected person may excrete 0.15 billion Norovirus particles per day to the sewer system. The goals are to (a) quantify the risk of infection through coastal waters, (b) evaluate possible containment of treated sewage effluent, rather than dilution, and (c) to make a prototype early alert system.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17805","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17805","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":140,"ProjectCode":"2007-PhD-ET-10","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Carbon Nanocages as Environmental Adsorbents","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Justin Holmes","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2010","Keywords":"Supercritical Fluid; Carbon Nanocages; Absorbents; Water purification","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this project is to optimise a new supercritical fluid (SCF) deposition technique developed at UCC, employing carbon dioxide as a solvent and a reactant, to manufacture high yields of carbon nanocages. These nanocages have large surface areas and pore volumes and will be utilised as advanced adsorbents for water purification, by selectively extracting metal ions and biological pollutants.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17806","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17806","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":141,"ProjectCode":"2007-PhD-ET-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Legal Issues Relating to the Admissibility in Evidence of Environmental Data Gathered by Means of Remote Sampling and Self-Monitoring Techniques the Case of Water Quality Sampling","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen McIntyre","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2010","Keywords":"Water Quality Sampling; Legal issues; Environmental Data; Self-Monitoring Techniques","ProjectAbstract":"The requirements in relation to environmental sampling under European Community and Irish law are not overly prescriptive. Directive 79\/869\/EEC (as amended) sets some minimal, though excludable, requirements relating to reference methods and frequencies of sampling and analysis. Section 22(1) of the 1977 Local Government (Water Pollution) Act requires a local or sanitary authority to carry out such monitoring of waters or discharges of effluents as it considers necessary or as may be directed by the Minister, while section 28(1) confers broad powers to enter premises to carry out inspections or take samples. However, despite the lack of a formal statutory requirement to carry out 'split sampling', the Irish courts would appear to be moving towards introducing a requirement similar to the 'tripartite sampling requirement' previously contained under UK water legislation. The courts are taking this approach regardless of the problems that this might cause for effective enforcement of environmental law and despite the comprehensive repeal of this requirement under UK law. This approach raises a number of critical issues regarding the admissibility of evidence gathered using remote \/ automatic monitoring technology and of self-monitoring information provided pursuant to a condition in an environmental licence. These problems are further complicated by the possible application of traditional rules of evidence under Irish law, such as the 'rule against hearsay evidence', the 'privilege against self-incrimination', and the general judicial discretion to exclude evidence if its prejudicial effect outweighs its probative value. This research project would examine in detail the legal background to the use of remote sensing and self-monitoring techniques and to the admissibility of evidence so gathered in criminal and civil proceedings. It would also identify best practice in and provide guidance on the use of such techniques and make proposals for legislative reform in this area.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17807","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17807","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":142,"ProjectCode":"2007-S-ET-1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of chemically engineered nano-porous absorbents for phosphate removal from waste water streams","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael A Morris","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2009","Keywords":"Phosphorus; Eutrophication; Water quality; Point source pollution","ProjectAbstract":"Phosphorus (P) is a major nutrient contributing to increased eutrophication of lakes and other natural waters. This results in water quality problems including increased purification costs, decreased recreational and conservation value of lakes and rivers, livestock loss and the increase of human algal toxins in eutrophic drinking water. There is increased awareness of the need to control the levels of phosphorus from point sources (e.g. municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants). As P is largely present as phosphates chemical sequestration using standard adsorbate technologies is difficult. At UCC, adsorbate nanotechnologies that show high efficiencies will be developed.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17808","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17808","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":143,"ProjectCode":"2007-S-ET-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Development of a Quality Management System for Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants in Ireland.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Josephine Treacy","Institution":"Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"05\/11\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"05\/11\/2009","Keywords":"Urban Wastewater Treatment; European Commision; Quality management; Data reporting initiatives","ProjectAbstract":"In accordance with the European Pollution and Transfer Register, urban waste water treatment plants have to report specific data on air, land and water emissions to the EPA. The competent authority subsequently transmits that data to the European Commission [1].This project will investigate and develop quality management systems for emissions from urban waste water treatment plants in Ireland. The work will also involve developing and pilot deployment of a quality management system comprising monitoring, analysis, inspection and compliance reporting for urban waste water treatment plants. This project will improve waste management plans in Ireland and data reporting initiatives.[1] Regulation EC No166\/2006 of the European parliament and of the council of 18th January 2006, concerning the establishment of a European pollution release and transfer register and amended council directives 91\/689\/EEC and 96\/61\/EEC.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17809","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17809","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":144,"ProjectCode":"2007-WFD-85","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of improved understanding of phosphorus fate and transport within groundwater and significance for associated surface water receptors.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kirsty Irving","Institution":"Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"27\/11\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"27\/05\/2008","Keywords":"Phosphorus; Freshwater habitats; Threshold values; Uk and Ireland","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of this project was to develop an improved understanding of the origin (natural and anthropogenic), fate and transport of phosphorus as it moves through the soil, unsaturated zone, saturated zone and hyporheic zone to discharge in rivers, lakes or wetlands in the UK and Ireland. This was achieved through a literature review, collation and analysis of existing data and development and testing of conceptual models. Options for setting threshold values for phosphorus and guidance on setting alternative objectives and designing programme of measures were also developed.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17810","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17810","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":145,"ProjectCode":"2007-w-ls2","ProjectAcronym":"BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS","ProjectTitle":"Biological Effects and Chemical Measurements for the Assessment of Pollution in Irish Marine Waters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof. James Wilson","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency; Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2012","Keywords":"Pollution; Bio-monitoring; Contaminants; Marine environment","ProjectAbstract":"It is widely accepted that chemical monitoring is no longer sufficient to assess pollution impacts in the marine environment and should be undertaken in conjunction with biological monitoring as recommended by the Oslo and Paris commission (OSPAR) and Workshop for integrated Monitoring of Contaminants (WKIMON) and within the Water Framework Directive (WFD). At present, assessment of the marine environment is reliant mostly on chemical analysis and there is not the expertise necessary to undertake a complete bio-monitoring programme. Through this project we shall develop these skills in both the chemical and biological analysis, enabling us to measure and monitor the impact of various contaminants on the marine environment therefore the overall objective of this project is to develop the methodology and techniques set out in WKIMON and necessary to allow for the full chemical and biological monitoring of the Irish marine environment for both traditional and more novel contaminants to meet these new challenges in monitoring the quality of the Irish marine environment. This shall enable Ireland to contribute to the valuable work undertaken by ICES. Biomarkers and supporting chemical measurement methodologies shall be established for selected novel contaminants such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals. This study shall allow for an integrated biological effects\/chemical assessment for selected test and reference sites in Irish waters by trialling chemical\/biological response indices to support overall classification of ecosystem health, (pollution pressures and ecological relevance). This will be linked to with current pollution monitoring commitments to ensure cost-effectiveness of this research activity.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17811","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17811","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":146,"ProjectCode":"2007-WQ-CD-1-S1","ProjectAcronym":"PATHWAYS","ProjectTitle":"Assessing, modelling and managing water and contaminant movement along pathways (underground and over-ground) from the land surface to aquatic receptors, including the roles of contaminant transport and attenuation.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Raymond Flynn","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/07\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2013","Keywords":"Pathways; Contaminants; Pollutants transport; Sources","ProjectAbstract":"Development and implementation of river basin district (RBD) management plans requires a holistic understanding of the hydrological cycle and how human pressures may impact groundwater and relevant ecological receptors. Irish hydromorphological and geological conditions make this task particularly challenging. This multidisciplinary study proposes integrating existing research\/data with further focused data acquisition employing proven techniques, hitherto rarely employed in Ireland, to better constrain semi-distributive hydrological models, thus improving our understanding of the pathways transporting particulate and dissolved constituents. This research will provide a more scientifically sound basis for focusing resources in RBDs to achieve good WFD status in a cost-effective manner. The proposed multidisciplinary approach will result in a reappraisal of existing conceptual models of the hydrological cycle and pollutant transport\/attenuation mechanisms. The revised models will provide a basis for modification of existing numerical models and development of an improved decision support system for catchment management. Web-accessible project progress reports and a final integrated report, describing project findings, will highlight practical implications for RBD management for managers and policy makers. The research's integrated approach, employing the resources of this and related research programmes, is anticipated to result in a number of internationally peer-reviewed publications addressing basin-scale integrated water resources management.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17812","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17812","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":147,"ProjectCode":"2007-WQ-CD-2-S1","ProjectAcronym":"HYDROFOR","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of the impacts of forest operations on the ecological quality of water (HYDROFOR)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary Kelly-Quinn","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency; Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2014","Keywords":"Forestry; Ecological Quality; Control Measures","ProjectAbstract":"HYDROFOR was a 6.5 year (2008 to 2014), inter?institutional, cooperative project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). A multi?disciplinary group of researchers at University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and the Marine Institute (MI) explored the relationships between forests and forestry operations in Ireland and assessed possible effects on surface water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Fourteen investigations were undertaken of potential pollutants from closed-canopy forest, harvesting and planting operations to both rivers and lakes. Seven of these related to rivers, four of these addressed the nature and drivers of acid inputs from closed-canopy forests, and the other three dealt with inputs of nutrients and sediment from harvesting. One of the latter assessed the efficiency of a buffer zone in retaining sediment and phosphorus. Four studies examined nutrient and sediment loads originating from planting operations. One involved tree planting and three produced new information on the effects of windrowing operations to prepare harvested grounds for replanting. Three lake studies investigated potential effects of forests and forestry operations on water chemistry, macroinvertebrates, zooplankton and trout populations in small peatland waters. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17813","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17813","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":148,"ProjectCode":"2007-WQ-MS-1-S1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Distribution, structure and functioning of subterranean fauna within Irish groundwater systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Joerg Arnscheidt","Institution":"University of Ulster (UU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2011","Keywords":"Groundwater; Aquatic fauna; Diversity; Bioindicators","ProjectAbstract":"Building on the experience of a pilot survey in 2006, this investigation aims to explore the biodiversity of Ireland's subterranean fauna. Ireland will be screened for aquatic fauna in subterranean freshwater habitats. Resulting data on distribution, frequency and diversity in subterranean fauna and their response to abiotic parameters will lay the foundation for future studies on groundwater ecology and bioindication. The study will also inform on spatial and temporal heterogeneity with regard to the distribution of fauna in aquifers and will investigate structure and functioning of the key groundwater species Niphargus kochianus irlandicus. Four peer reviewed publications, one literature review, intermediate reports and one final report for the Environmental Protection Agency will be produced. A dedicated project website will be constructed. A database on sampling sites, hydrogeology, hydrology, water chemistry and biological data will be built and made available to the Agency and be compatible with existing GIS databases.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17814","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17814","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":149,"ProjectCode":"2007-WQ-MS-2-S1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Alien invasive species in Irish water bodies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Christine A. Maggs","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2010","Keywords":"Alien Invasive Species; Water Framework Directive; River Basin Districts; Monitoring and Reporting","ProjectAbstract":"This all-island consortium of experienced researchers from university, SME and government sectors will address the knowledge gap identified under the Water Framework Directive for alien invasive species in Ireland's River Basin Districts, and produce a monitoring and reporting strategy. This will be achieved by: literature review of impacts on natural ecosystems, vectors, spread potential and control options; analysis of impacts of selected invasive species on structure and function of natural ecosystems (primarily by innovative studies of impacted and non-impacted foodwebs using stable isotopes in exemplar waterbodies); and preparation of an archived GIS-based database of aquatic aliens in Ireland. We anticipate at least three peer-reviewed publications, with conference presentations: (1) stable isotope investigation of impacted and non-impacted foodwebs; (2) quantitative ecological studies of impacted and non-impacted systems in two waterbodies; (3) recommendations from trials of control of Lagarosiphon and Chub; this project will also educate and train two MPhil students. Invasive Species in Ireland (www.invasivespeciesireland.com) will have a dedicated page of project outputs, with links to consortium partners websites. The Invasive Species Forum (60 organisations) will disseminate and communicate research findings to stakeholder groups, including all relevant Government departments and agencies, industry, NGOs and academia.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17815","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17815","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":150,"ProjectCode":"2007-WQ-MS-3-S1","ProjectAcronym":"EFFECT","ProjectTitle":"An Effective Framework For assessing aquatic ECosysTem responses to implementation of the Phosphorus Regulations (EFFECT)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Taylor","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2011","Keywords":"Phosphorus; Regulations; Ecosystems; Social science","ProjectAbstract":"For a total grant of 325,052.50, and through the collection and collation of new and existing environmental and social science data on an Irish Ecoregion and catchment\/sub-catchment specific basis with a DPSIR framework, EFFECT will identify water bodies that are particularly sensitive to impairment or insensitive to remediation, test the efficacy of POMs aimed at reducing diffuse and point-source, P-induced impacts on water quality, increase understanding of the interactions between stakeholders, including local authorities, in relation to water quality governance and implementation of POMs, and develop a consensus-based strategy for water quality management through the use of deliberative techniques. (1) dedicated EFFECT project website and press release (2) reports to EPA: 6 monthly reports; 1 final (24 months) and one supplementary final (36months) (3) GIS relating spatial variations in water quality to environment and POMs & probability model (4) at least five peer-reviewed publications arising directly from the research will be submitted to journals of high international standing. (5) presentations at Environ and to the international scientific communities at either the SIL or ASLO meetings. (6) PhD thesis and MSc dissertation (7) manual for developing stakeholder dialogue workshops (8) a multi-stakeholder strategy for protecting\/improving water quality.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17816","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17816","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":151,"ProjectCode":"2008-CP-10-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Targeting water, energy and packaging - three environmental improvement projects at Dawn Meats.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Charlie Coakley","Institution":"Dawn Meats Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"23\/03\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"23\/03\/2011","Keywords":"Reduced water use; Water Recycling; Reduced energy consumption; Staff training","ProjectAbstract":"Reduction in water consumption of 10% by reuse following successful reprocessing. The use of membrane technology to enable reuse of water from sterilisation and other processes may include protein isolation capability, Micro-biological detection, advanced separation technologies with on-line data recording of parameters. Reduction in energy consumption through heat recovery etc to save 12-15%. Eco-Design principles and application to packaging design reduction in packaging of 10%, with related savings in resource consumption. Promotion of CGPP to other companies in the food sector. Training and information workshops at other Dawn facilities in Ireland and Europe.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17817","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17817","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":152,"ProjectCode":"2008-CP-11-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Implementation of an Environmentally Efficient Continuous Flux Treatment System","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Terry Hinds","Institution":"Galco Steel Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"30\/03\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"30\/05\/2010","Keywords":"Reduce; Reuse; Flux Treatment;","ProjectAbstract":"Expected Benefits: Reduction in hazardous sludge 30 tons. Elimination of occasional requirement to dump entire 55m3 flux tank. Reduction and possible elimination of Hydrogen Peroxide, Ammonia and Zinc Chloride. Elimination of Rinse Water disposal -250m3. The proposed flux treatment process will generate Iron Oxide. Galco will investigate the potential to reuse this in their pickling baths. Relevance for other business: Direct relevance-Metal Finishing & Treatment Companies General Principle - All companies producing hazardous waste. Results will be promoted within Galco group, through the Galvanisers Association, Galco's newsletter & website and at EPA seminars.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.galco.ie\/index.php","InternalProjectID":"17818","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17818","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":153,"ProjectCode":"2008-CP-14-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Recycling of Process water with Heat Recovery","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Christine Kelly","Institution":"Organic Lens Manufacturing","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"06\/04\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"06\/04\/2011","Keywords":"Reduced water use; Reduced waste; Reduced energy use; Irish Industries","ProjectAbstract":"Reduced water consumption (40%) with a corresponding reduction in effluent load. Reduce electricity consumption by 167,000KWh\/annum. Achieve significant cost efficiencies in relation energy & water savings - electricity supplier that costs are to rise by 30% in October 2008. This project will be readily transferable in Irish industries using hot water vats for production processes which contain organic contaminants that prove difficult to recycle due to quality constraints.OLM will hold information dissemination workshops for relevant stakeholders and interested parties to inform and raise awareness of the environmental and cost benefits associated with the project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17819","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17819","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":154,"ProjectCode":"2008-CP-15-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Super-Sustainable: Investigation into the use of biodegradable \/ compostable product packaging and overall improvement in environmental performance across all Supermac's stores.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jarlath Connolly","Institution":"Supermacs","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"18\/02\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"18\/02\/2011","Keywords":"Economic bemefit; Reduced resources; Biodegradable; Reduce landfill","ProjectAbstract":"The economic benefits are associated with a reduced cost of waste disposal and reduced purchases of electricity and water. The environmental benefits are substantial as the demonstration of alternative compostable packaging will be demonstrated to our broad customer base. As waste currently runs at approximately 4500 tonnes any reduction in excess of 20% will improve the economic and environmental performance of the company. It is planned to reduce waste to landfill by 75% in participating stores. A waste\/energy audit can achieve 15% savings in electricity consumption without major investment. Promotion of the project via other stores and EPA etc.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17820","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17820","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":155,"ProjectCode":"2008-CP-16-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cleaner Greener Cleaning Services","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"James Preston","Institution":"Noonan Services Group","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/03\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"02\/03\/2011","Keywords":"Energy efficiency; Reduced water; Reduced consumption; Management","ProjectAbstract":"The objectives of this CGPP project were to evaluate and reduce the resource consumption associated with transport, energy used, and water consumption in our offices as well as the provision of cleaning services. We also aimed to substitute cleaning chemicals with eco-labelled alternatives as well as introduce dilution control systems. Staff training on CGPP and environmental impact was also an objective of the project.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.noonan.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"17821","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17821","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":156,"ProjectCode":"2008-CP-5-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Achieving a Zero-Landfill Waste Facility at Tool and Plastic Ltd.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Colm Cuffe","Institution":"Tool and Plastic Industries Ltd","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/03\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"09\/03\/2011","Keywords":"Energy efficiency; Reduced waste; Monitoring; Economic benefit","ProjectAbstract":"Benefits:1. Economic: significant cost reduction, energy conservation and consumption reduction. 2. Environmental: reduction in waste, use of gray water, compressed air savings and an increase in prevention, reuse and recycling. 3. Staff development benefits in environmental management knowledge, skills. 4. Proposed paper-less real-time production management system will monitor productivity, quality conformance. 5. The project results will be showcased to other organisations in the plastics sector in Ireland as well as other relevant companies Internationally. 6. There will be useful transfer of best practice principles to the Czech Republic plant. Project results will be disseminated through relevant environment conferences.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.toolandplastic.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"17822","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17822","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":157,"ProjectCode":"2008-CP-9-S2","ProjectAcronym":"CSCP","ProjectTitle":"CIT's Sustainable Campus Programme (CSCP)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kevin McCarthy","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"06\/04\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"06\/04\/2011","Keywords":"Economically benificial; Reduced resource use; Reduced waste; Training","ProjectAbstract":"In 2007 CIT had an annual spend for its Bishopstown campus of approximately 642,000 (electricity), 200,000 (gas), 145,000 (waste), and 120,000 (water). In addition, other unquantified resources (e.g. in laboratories, maintenance, offices etc.) are consumed.The following MINIMUM annual savings are anticipated: Water 20% 10,000 m3 24,000 Electricity 10% 500 MWh 64,200 Waste 5% 16.5 tonnes 7,250Paper 10% to be quantified ditto These reductions will have obvious environmental as well as economic benefits. The programme will also significantly raise environmental awareness in the Institute among staff and students.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17823","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17823","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":158,"ProjectCode":"2008-EH-MS-1-S3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of Microbial Source Tracking Techniques","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Wim. G. Meijer","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2011","Keywords":"Health; Microbial Source Tracking; Bacteroidetes; Faecal pollution","ProjectAbstract":"This proposal focuses on Microbial Source Tracking (MST) tools for application in Ireland. In particular it centres on Bacteroidetes as marker for faecal pollution, as applicants have previously shown the usefulness of these in Ireland. This proposal aims to validate additional MST markers for use in Ireland. The behaviour of MST markers in a well characterised catchment will be analysed, with emphasis on relation to bacteriological parameters set out in the EU water directives. The potential role of riverine sediments as reservoir for MST markers will be determined. The relationship of MST markers with their hosts will be studied. The Project will disseminate the results through international peer reviewed scientific journals and in relevant conferences focusing on water quality. We previously have organsied two successful workshops following the iCREW project for Irish stakeholders, e.g. water quality managers. A similar workshop to disseminate results at the end of the project will be organised for stakeholders. The final report including results and standard operating procedures will be made available on CDROM to stakeholders.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17824","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17824","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":159,"ProjectCode":"2008-EH-MS-2-S3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of exposure to metallic nanoparticles on marine and fresh water model organisms at cellular and genetic level.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Lokesh Joshi","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2011","Keywords":"Nanoparticles; Biological effects; Freshwater and Marine; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"Despite the benefits of nanotechnology, concern is mounting that due to their unique physico-chemical properties, nanoparticles (NPs) may cause unknown biological effects with environmental and human health consequences. Bio-accumulation, bio-persistence, environmental fate and exposure effects remain to be evaluated. Here, the relationships between physico-chemical properties of metallic NPs and biological effects will be examined using two aquatic (one marine and one freshwater) model organisms. Characterisation of NP accumulation and consequent changes in morphology, development, gene and protein expression will provide a basis for the determination of safe concentrations, detectable exposure levels, and potential biomarkers for NP impact and environmental monitoring.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17825","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17825","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":160,"ProjectCode":"2008-EH-MS-3-S3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cryptosporidiosis: Human, animal and environmental interface","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Theo De Waal","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Drinking water; Cryptosporidiosis; Health; Farming","ProjectAbstract":"Cryptosporidium is one of the most important zoonotic parasites in the developed world including Ireland. Although cases are reported throughout the year, over 60% of human cryptosporidiosis cases occur during the spring peak between March and June. This project aims to determine the cause(s) of the spring peak. Livestock, wildlife and the environment in 2 reservoir catchment areas will be screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Molecular analysis will be carried out to determine the importance of the Cryptosporidium genotypes of animal origin to human health. As an immediate outcome of this project we will be able to make recommendations for land use in catchment areas of drinking water reservoirs, particularly in relation to the type of farming practiced, stocking densities, and husbandry practices. Moreover, a molecular database of the Cryptosporidium spp and subtypes that occur in humans, livestock, wildlife and the environment will be collated. This catalogue will facilitate the tracking of future outbreaks. Research findings will be disseminated orally at national and international research meetings and via a project website. It is anticipated that 4 to 5 peer-reviewed publications in international journals will arise from this project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17826","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17826","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":161,"ProjectCode":"2008-EH-MS-6-S3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Hospital effluent: impact on the microbial environment and risk to human health?","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Martin Cormican","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Wastewater; Sludge; Antimicrobial Resistance; Hospital Effluent","ProjectAbstract":"Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health problem. The contribution the environment makes to emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance is an area of increasing concern. This project will detect and quantify antimicrobial resistant E. coli and quinolone residues in hospital effluent, urban wastewater, sewage sludge and biosolids. The impact of secondary wastewater treatment and sludge treatment processes in removing antimicrobial resistant E. coli and quinolone\/fluoroquinolone residues from wastewater will be assessed. This information will contribute to the development of a risk assessment model of human exposure to antimicrobial resistant E. coli and quinolone\/fluoroquinolone residues related to the discharge of hospital effluent. In terms of academic output, this project will result in the production of one Ph.D. thesis, at least four peer reviewed papers, and several conference presentations. This research will increase capacity and strengthen links between the institutions involved, and inform policy related to the management of hospital discharges, urban waste water treatment, and use of sewage sludge\/biosolids in agriculture. Recommendations to sanitary and\/or regulatory authorities on potential intervention strategies will be provided.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17827","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17827","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":162,"ProjectCode":"2008-EH-MS-7-S3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessing the Impact of Waste Water Treatment Plant Effluent on Norovirus contamination in shellfisheries","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bill Dore","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Shellfish waters; Wastewater treatment; Plant effluent; Norovirus","ProjectAbstract":"Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in the general population. NoV contamination of shellfisheries presents a significant public health risk. This study will compare NoV survival during sewage treatment and in seawater alongside indicator organisms. The impact of sewage discharges on NoV contamination in shellfisheries will be assessed. In-situ studies will investigate NoV levels in influent and effluent from a Waste water treatment plant (WWTP). The relative impact of storm overflows and continuous treated sewage discharges will be investigated. Laboratory studies will investigate the survival of NoV in seawater. Finally, laboratory-based studies will investigate the use of UV treatment of secondary effluents to reduce NoV levels. This project will produce a report providing the first data set on NoV survival during sewage treatment and in the marine environment in an Irish setting. It will provide data which allows the impact of sewage discharges on the NoV content in shellfisheries to be assessed. The information will allow regulatory authorities to more accurately assess the impact of existing and proposed sewage outfalls on NoV contamination of shellfisheries and other sensitive marine environments. This will allow future development of a model risk assessment approach for authorities to assess the impact of WWTP effluent on NoV levels in shellfisheries. The project will also produce 2-4 peer reviewed papers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17828","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17828","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":163,"ProjectCode":"2008-ET-DS-1-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Demonstration of an adaptation to the activated sludge process; for reduced sludge generation.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ciaran Prunty","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"11\/08\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"11\/10\/2009","Keywords":"Desk study; Sludge; Microbial studies; Wastewater treatment","ProjectAbstract":"This desk-scale study will verify the performance of a lab-scale activated sludge process operated under modified conditions to reduce the generation of sludge biomass. Previous microbiological studies for increased phosphate removal observed reduced sludge generation; it is thought elevated biomass metabolic rates led to increased substrate volatilisation and reduced incorporation of carbon into cellular biomass. This study will enable data collection of process parameters that are standard to wastewater engineering operations, which are crucial to the scale up of this technology, and will enable the development of concrete plans for on-site demonstration of the process at two wastewater treatment plants. Expected outputs include: Construction and operation of a lab-scale two-channel activated sludge pilot plant allowing parallel operation of standard and modified operational conditions. Quantification of reduced sludge generation under modified conditions compared to standard conditions. Demonstration of process stability and effluent quality. Report of performance at standard engineering process parameters; which is necessary for scale-up design. Presentation of results to industry though seminars; publication in peer-reviewed journals. Identification and assessment of target demonstration sites. Production of a technology-transfer plan encompassing preparation for on-site demonstration and full-scale implementation at specific industrial and municipal sites.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17829","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17829","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":164,"ProjectCode":"2008-ET-MS-3-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The design of new photocatalytic systems for the generation of hydrogen from water using solar energy","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary T Pryce","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"31\/07\/2011","Keywords":"Photocatalytic Properties; Hydrogen; Solar Energy; Greenhouse Gases","ProjectAbstract":"In this project a novel solar cell for the generation of H2 from water will be developed. P type semiconductors will be modified with molecular components and the photocatalytic properties of these heterosupramolecular assemblies with respect to the generation of hydrogen from water will be investigated. The molecular components will consist of heterodinuclear compounds containing a light-absorbing unit connected via a bridging ligand to a catalytic centre capable of producing hydrogen. The system developed will not require sacrificial agents. Global climate change and security of energy supply are increasingly perceived as the most serious threats facing the world's medium and long-term future. The outcome expected will be a move towards an environmentally sustainable generation of hydrogen fuel. This will be of great benefit in our battle to reduce greenhouse gasses. In the Irish context the development of the environmentally friendly production methods will provide employment and the potential for exporting this technology all over the world. Further outputs will be peer reviewed articles and patents. The work outlined in this proposal will create critical mass of energy related research expertise in our laboratories.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17830","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17830","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":165,"ProjectCode":"2008-ET-MS-4-S2","ProjectAcronym":"DEPLOY","ProjectTitle":"Smart Catchment Demonstration: Long-term deployment of sensor monitoring system (DEPLOY)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Regan","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"29\/08\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"29\/05\/2010","Keywords":"Collaboration; Sensor; Water Quality Monitoring; Water Framework Directive","ProjectAbstract":"This exciting demonstration project represents an important collaboration between research centres, SME and local authorities with technical and analytical expertise to DEPLOY, maintain and evaluate a series of multi-sensor systems to assess the effects of long-term sensor deployment on water quality monitoring systems and sensor data. The multi-sensor systems deployed can act as a live platform for parallel projects (funded elsewhere) and as a test bed to implement and evaluate water quality monitoring systems and deployment infrastructure (wireless data transfer mechanisms, novel sensors, sensor interfacing etc.) required to meet the demands of the Water Framework Directive. We will publish in peer reviewed scientific journals. The reports generated will be provided to agencies and policy makers to assist in their development of measures to assist in the integrated management of water bodies. The collaboration and training provided to our researchers will build capacity in this rapidly expanding area in Ireland. The sensor test bed developed will service Ireland Inc as a reference deployment site for the evaluation of technologies developed for water quality monitoring. Outreach activities would allow and support integrated management of water bodies from all interested parties, and encourage user involvement and interaction.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17831","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17831","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":166,"ProjectCode":"2008-ET-MS-5-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Flow-Proportional passive sensor validation of phosphorus and nitrogen in Irish rivers (Flow-Pro)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Phil Jordan","Institution":"University of Ulster (UU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/08\/2010","Keywords":"Nutrient loading; Rivers; Absorbing; Irish river catchment","ProjectAbstract":"Flow-Pro will test a new passive, flow-proportional sampling solution for phosphorus and nitrogen in rivers. The passive system is based on cartridges that are exposed in flowing water over defined time periods and absorb nutrients, proportional to the velocity of influent water, which are subsequently extracted in the laboratory. Over a 12 month period, weekly, fortnightly and monthly exposure periods and subsequent extractions will be compared with high resolution datasets of phosphorus (TP and TRP) and nitrate (NO3-) in a flashy Irish river catchment. These data will be collected from existing flow and P infrastructure, augmented with new N infrastructure. The Flow-Pro project will deliver: The most complete validation of P and N passive water quality sensors by comparing exposures to unsurpassed continuous P and N concentration data coverage from established and augmented stations. A report and technical workshop for the EPA and provide recommendations for using this technology in routine water quality monitoring and also for ongoing\/future research into nutrient transfers from land to water. At least two peer-reviewed publications submitted to Environmental Science and Technology, the foremost journal in the environmental sciences and a regular outlet for emerging scientific technologies.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17832","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17832","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":167,"ProjectCode":"2008-FS-EH-3-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Population dynamics and molecular characterisation of biotoxin-producing cyanobacteria in west and northwest Irish lakes.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Nicolas Touzet","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"31\/07\/2011","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Water Quality; Cyanobacteria; Irish lakes","ProjectAbstract":"In relation with the Water Framework Directive and the Water Quality in Ireland Reports, eutrophication and algal overgrowth have been identified as major pressures towards the quality of Irish lakes. Seasonal blooms of biotoxin-producing cyanobacteria constitute serious threats toward aquatic ecosystems and human health. Population dynamics and genetic characterisation of toxic cyanobacteria will be investigated in west and northwest Irish lakes in the summer months by conducting field surveys and carrying out molecular and toxin analyses in the laboratory. A new method based on FlowCAM technology allowing high sample throughput analysis of phytoplankton assemblages in aquatic ecosystems will be developed.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17833","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17833","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":168,"ProjectCode":"2008-FS-NE-38","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Modelling national emissions to air and water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Styles","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/08\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"22\/08\/2009","Keywords":"Emmisions; IPPC; Indusrty; Licensing","ProjectAbstract":"To collate emissions data from IPPC installations, in order to generate emissions time-series. These will be used to assess trends in emissions from IPPC-regulated industry, with regard to economic drivers, and the impact of IPPC licensing (versus probable business-asusual).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17834","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17834","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":169,"ProjectCode":"2008-FS-W-4-S5","ProjectAcronym":"SGD","ProjectTitle":"Development of Remote Sensing as a Tool for Detection, Quantification and Evaluation of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) to Irish Coastal Waters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jean Wilson","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2012","Keywords":"Coastal water; Submarine groundwater discharge; Pathway; Remote sensing","ProjectAbstract":"Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) is receiving considerable attention in the literature as a major pathway for anthropogenically derived pollutants to coastal waters. The specific goal of this research is to develop remote sensing as a tool in the identification, quantification and mapping of SGD. The principal means of the assessment will be via thermal infrared remote sensing for two case-study areas in Ireland, Galway Bay and Dublin Bay. A third site, the Ria Formosa, Portugal will be used as a reference system for the tools developed. The thermal imagery will be used in combination with ground-based measurements of nutrients, temperature, conductivity (salinity) and natural chemical tracers of groundwater discharge (222Rn) to assess the impact of SGD. The study aims to improve understanding of the pathways and discharge of contaminants via SGD into Irish coastal waters.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17835","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17835","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":170,"ProjectCode":"2008-FS-W-7-S5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a tool for assessing general anthropogenic pressure on lakes using littoral invertebrates","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ian Donohue","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2011","Keywords":"Lakes; Anthropogenic pressure; Littoral invertebrates; Hydromorphology","ProjectAbstract":"The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to assess ecological status for all surface waters in the EU and requires the achievement of at least good ecological and chemical status by 2015. In order to achieve good ecological status, the maximum degree of disturbance by hydromorphological,chemical and physicochemical elements may cause only slight deviation from the natural composition and abundance of a number of biological elements, including benthic fauna. As stated in Annex V of the WFD, the elements of hydromorphology supporting the biological elements comprise hydrological regime (quantity and dynamics of water flow; residence time; connection with groundwater) and morphological conditions (lake depth variation; quantity, structure and substrate of lake bed; structure of lake shore and its conditions). At present, the primary threats to the integrity of both Irish and European water bodies (natural and artificial) comprise excessive nutrient loading and hydromorphological pressures. Important uses of freshwater which may impact on the hydromorphology of water bodies and lead to changes in water levels (WL) include activities such as drinking water supply, storage for hydropower generation, industrial processing or irrigation; navigation; recreation and construction of dams, dikes or embankments for flood protection or erosion control. In order to achieve the environmental objectives set by the WFD, we need to find ways to measure and assess disturbances by hydromorphological pressures. Remarkably little is known, however, of the impacts of amplified water level fluctuations on lake ecosystems. In lakes, these pressures are likely to be manifested most strongly in the littoral zone.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17836","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17836","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":171,"ProjectCode":"2008-FS-WQ-16_S4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Evaluation and Interpretation of Groundwater Monitoring Data and the Implications for Groundwater in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Katie Tedd","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2011","Keywords":"Water Framework Directives; Groundwater Directive; Monitoring data; Evaluation","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed research will provide the EPA with a better understanding of groundwater level and quality data in Ireland. This in turn will allow the EPA to better fulfil the obligations of current European legislation, namely the Water Framework and Groundwater Directives. The research will comprise (i) a literature and data review and the development of suitable databases, (ii) a routine set of data checks and analysis in order to produce a standard set of reports suitable for publication via the EPA website and (iii) a number of focused investigations into topics of particular relevance to Irish hydrogeology.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17837","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17837","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":172,"ProjectCode":"2008-FS-WQ-1-S4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Critical Analysis of Flow Regimes: Current Situation and Future Scenarios for the Impact of Climate and Land Use Changes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ahmed Nasr","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2010","Keywords":"River Basin Districts; ANFIS model; Catchment Characteristics; Flood frequency","ProjectAbstract":"An extensive analysis of all aspects of low flows in the Western and South-Eastern RBDs will be carried out using the most recent advances in stochastic and fuzzy modelling. Then an ANFIS model will be developed to derive flow duration curves at un-gauged sites using catchment characteristics as inputs. Water quality status will be assed based on modelled load duration curves. The resulting ANFIS models of the flow and load duration curves will be used to evaluate the impact of climate and land use changes on water resources and aquatic ecosystem. In addition flood frequency analysis will be conducted using both the at-site and regional methods.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17838","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17838","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":173,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-EH-1","ProjectAcronym":"PAOP","ProjectTitle":"Photoinduced Advanced Oxidative Processes (PAOP) for the removal of pathogenic bacteria from drinking water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brid Quilty","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Drinking water; Microorganisms; E.coli; Treatment","ProjectAbstract":"According to the European Union Drinking Water Directive, potable water should not contain any microorganisms. A recent EPA report, however, revealed that a significant number of drinking water supplies contain E.coli in numbers that constitute a potential danger to human health. The ability of novel UV activated advanced oxidative processes to disinfect water will be studied. Water contaminated with pathogenic bacteria will be subjected to direct photolysis, photocatalysis and photosensitization under a variety of environmental conditions. These decontamination studies will be performed with artificial UV-light and sunlight. The effectiveness of disinfection will be monitored using both culture and non-culture techniques.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17839","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17839","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":174,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-EH-2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Hydrogeological and Geochemical Investigations of Elevated Arsenic (As) Abundances in Groundwater Wells from the West of Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Martin Feely","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Groundwaterell; Arsenic; Clew Bay; Distribution","ProjectAbstract":"This study will use hydrogeology, geochemistry and chemical speciation studies to investigate the presence of elevated Arsenic (As) abundances in a significant number of groundwater wells from the Clew Bay area, western Ireland. Comparative studies of groundwater, bedrock and mineral chemistry will be linked to hydrogeology, GIS and statistical studies. This approach will facilitate characterisation of the temporal and spatial distribution of As as a function of groundwater and bedrock geology using the pressures, pathways and receptors approach. Arsenic speciation studies will determine As toxicity, bioavailability and potential for migration in this environment thus addressing human health issues.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17840","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17840","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":175,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-EH-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Genetic methods to improve Cr(VI) bioremediation in groundwater","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Enrico Marsili","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"11\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"11\/09\/2011","Keywords":"Groundwater; Contamination; Bioremediation; Health","ProjectAbstract":"Cr(VI) contamination of groundwater and soils is a primary public health concern in Ireland. Bioremediation is an environmental-friendly salternative for Cr(VI) removal from groundwaterand soils, but Cr(VI) toxicity limits the efficiency of bioremediation. We will use for the first time genome shuffling techniques to improve Cr(VI) tolerance and Cr(VI) reduction capability of the strict anaerobic bacterium Geobacter metallireducens. We will investigate the mechanism of Cr(VI) reduction in the resulting G.metallireducens mutants through an innovative electrochemical approach. Finally, we will test the best performing mutants in a bench-scale Cr(VI) bioremediation process.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17841","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17841","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":176,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-ET-2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The development of a bioremediation product A study of factors affecting biosorption of chromium by a variety of seaweed species","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Peter McLoughlin","Institution":"Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"10\/06\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"10\/10\/2009","Keywords":"Seaweed; Binding; Bioreduction; Biosorption","ProjectAbstract":"The aims of this project are to investigate the mechanisms by which binding occurs (including bioreduction potential), identify seaweeds with a high biosorptive capacity and investigate parameters which will enhance biosorption.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17842","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17842","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":177,"ProjectCode":"2008-PHD-ET-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Pulsed-UV light inactivation of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in drinking water supplies in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Neil J Rowan","Institution":"Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"11\/09\/2011","Keywords":"Pulsed-UV light; Cryptosporidium; Oocysts; Drinking water ","ProjectAbstract":"Aim and rationale: The aim of this timely and pressing multi-disciplinary study was to investigate development and optimization of a high-intensity pulsed UV light (PUV) source for the novel disinfection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts suspended in water. The rationale and need for same is due to the fact that C. parvum is an enteric coccidian parasite that is recognised as a frequent cause of illness in humans due to its resistance to disinfection with chlorine at concentrations typically applied in drinking water treatmentplants. Development of alternative methods of Cryptosporidium disinfection for waterapplications (such as UV) has been hindered by numerous factors including the uncertainty surrounding efficacy of in vitro surrogate viability assays to quantify oocyst survivors post treatment and the lack of critical data focusing on congruence of in vitro cell culture and invivo animal based infectivity bioassays to evaluate efficacy of using conventional and emerging disinfection techniques. Methods and Results: due to numerous factors including (but not limited to) the lack of availability of oocysts due to the fact that this parasite has a complex life cycle that requires use of an animal host (with obvious ethical implications) initial findings identified critical inter-related factors affecting the destruction of other relevant bacteria and yeast undervarying operational conditions. These studies were used to inform subsequent treatments using the more recalcitrant C. parvum. Albeit extensive in scope and depth the latter study proved essential in terms of limiting use of animals for important infectivity studies the former element being factored into a successful animal licence application that was awarded by the Department of Health and Children for this purpose. The in vitro HCT-8cell culture combined with quantitative (real-time) PCR was then compared to the SCIDmouseinfectivity bioassay to evaluate these PUV operating conditions in order to reduce oreliminate C. parvum oocyst infectivity when treated in water. Each treated dose of oocystswas inoculated into 3 replicates of 4 mice or 8 cell culture wells. Infections post UVtreatments were detected by immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy and by quantitative PCR in cell culture and by IF staining of faeces and by haematoxylin and eosin staining of intestinal villi in mice. There was good agreement between using cell culture-qPCR and the mouse assay for determining reduction or elimination of C. parvum infectivity as a consequence of varying UV operating conditions. Reduction in infectivity depended on the intensity of lamp discharge energy or UV dose (mJ\/cm2) applied amount of pulsing and population size of oocysts (P 0.05). Use of surrogate vital staining over-estimated survivoris post-UV treatments compared to use of infectivity assays (P 0.05). Incorporation of humic acid at a concentration above that found in surface water (i.e. 10ppm) did not significantly affect PUV disinfection capability irrespective of parameterstested (P 0.05). It took ca. 3.9 times longer to eliminate C. parvum infectivity using continuous low-pressure monochromatic light at a UV dose of 327 mJ\/cm2 compared to treating similar populations of oocysts with PUV at 4.6 mJ\/cm2. Use of ATP technique was shown to be an inferior technique for evaluating PUV disinfection performance compared to use of cell culture i- qPCR or using the mouse-model. Studies revealed an inability of C.parvum to photo-repair post exposure to lethal doses of conventional (L-P) or PUV. An extensive battery of eco-toxicity testing revealed that PUV treatment of water containing different pre-determined levels of C. parvum oocysts were safe to release into the environment and were of satisfactory potability quality.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17843","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17843","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":178,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-ET-4-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a modified biosorption system for the control of metals in an industry waste stream","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eddy Fitzgerald","Institution":"Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"10\/06\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"10\/01\/2010","Keywords":"Biosorption; Metals; Waste; Industry","ProjectAbstract":"(1) To test a previously designed laboratory prototype fixed-bed sorption column system for a range of metals and to optimize the main related physico-chemical factors such as regeneration cycles, desorption and selective recovery of metals when present in a same waste stream. A closer investigation of the antagonistic effects of antimony is also being carried out.(2) An up-scaling of the prototype sorption column system to simulate industry conditions.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17844","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17844","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":179,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-W-1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Testing hydromorphological integrity to support High and Good status of lakes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Andrew Jackson","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"15\/12\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"15\/12\/2011","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Hydromorphology; Ecology; Hydromorphological Status","ProjectAbstract":"This proposal will compare proposed metrics of hydromorphological status (LHS, lakeMImAS, RAT) with measures of lake structure and function using ecological classification tools and assessment of catchment-lake connectivity using stable isotopes and CNP ratios in phytobenthos, benthic macroinvertebrates and open-water zooplankton. The work will further understanding of the links between hydromorphology and ecology, and develop the understanding of how the concepts of hydromorphology can be applied to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17845","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17845","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":180,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-W-2","ProjectAcronym":"DOC","ProjectTitle":"Limno- and palaeo-ecological responses to lake water dissolved organic carbon (DOC)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Catherine Dalton","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Lakes; Dissolved Organic Carbon; Palaeoecology; Surface waters","ProjectAbstract":"A trend of increasing dissolved organic carbon in surface waters has been documented for areas of Northern Europe and North America in the last 15-20 years. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain these increases including land use changes, declines in acid deposition and anthropogenic climate change. Increased colour and humic content of surface waters has potentially critical effects on aquatic ecosystems as well as on drinking water production. This research will help establish (i) the present ecological response in bacterioplankton and phytoplankton populations and the recent palaeoecology of two lake systems, (ii) evaluate change in system state, (iii) assess the ecological response to increases in the DOC stressor and (iv) evaluate the potential roles of land use changes, declines in acid deposition, climate change and help inform predictions of future state.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17846","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17846","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":181,"ProjectCode":"2008-PhD-WRM-5","ProjectAcronym":"FOG","ProjectTitle":"Novel bioaugmentation product for Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) degradation","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brid Quilty","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Biodegredation; FOGs; Bacteria; Laboratory testing","ProjectAbstract":"A novel bioaugmentation product will be developed for use in the biodegradation of waste fats, oils and greases (FOGs). The product will comprise a mixture of bacteria that will degrade the FOGs so that they do not cause problems in sewers, pumping stations and inlet works of municipal wastewater treatment plants. Initially, the project will involve screening bacterial strains, in the laboratory, for their ability to biodegrade FOGs efficiently. This will lead to the development and testing of fully formulated multi-strain products in pilot scale. The final formulations will be tested in operational biological grease traps to validate their performance.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17847","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17847","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":182,"ProjectCode":"2008-SD-LS-1-S1","ProjectAcronym":"CONSENSUS","ProjectTitle":"CONSENSUS: A cross-border household analysis of CONsumption, ENvironment and SUStainability in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Anna Davies","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"05\/01\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"05\/01\/2013","Keywords":"Water counsumption; Household; Sustainability; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"This research examines four key areas of household consumption that currently impact negatively on the environment and inhibit our ability, both in Northern Ireland and the Republic, to achieve sustainable development: transport, energy, water and food. A set of integrated work packages will address four themes identified in the 2007 STRIVE call: how consumption can be measured and evaluated (Theme 1), how sustainable behaviours and incentives are being developed and implemented (Theme 2), identifying links between consumption, health and well being (Theme 3) and finally how matters of household consumption are being governed through institutional practice and participation (Theme 5). In addition to the required six-monthly technical, financial, synthesis and final reports, the project will produce academic and policy-related outputs including: Academic: 12+ articles in international peer-reviewed journals; 4 PhD theses; an international conference; an edited volume; 10+ presentations for national and international audiences Policy: sustainable lifestyles survey; baseline reports on consumption within the sectors of transport, energy, water and food; critical reviews of international good practice with regards to promoting, implementing and governing sustainable behaviour; action plans for encouraging a transition to more sustainable lifestyles Academic and policy: Cross-border sustainable consumption research network (SCRN); project web-site.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17848","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17848","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":183,"ProjectCode":"2008-S-ET-1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"An environmental analysis of biopharmaceutical manufacturing in recombinant E. coli, with a view to waste minimization of Phosphorous and Nitrogen content in waste streams generated.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gary Walsh","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"06\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"06\/10\/2010","Keywords":"Biopharmaceutical; Fermentation; Phosphorous; Nitrogen","ProjectAbstract":"In biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations fermentation processes (upstream processing) require significant nutrient inputs which, if only partially utilised, will result in the generation of significant volumes of nutrient-containing wastewaters. This leads to a reliance on end-of-pipe technologies for phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) removal. This project focuses on (a): the potential minimization of P and N inputs during upstream processing and (b) assessment of the various chromatographic modalities typical of biopharmaceutical downstream processing in the context of potential environmental impact. The overall project aim is to minimize the process input content of nutrients, in particular phosphorus and nitrogen, in order to achieve a reduction in the need for end-of-pipe technologies.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17849","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17849","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":184,"ProjectCode":"2008-S-ET-12","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Electrochemical Based Sensor for the Determination of Nitrate and Nitrite in Drinking Water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eithne Dempsey","Institution":"Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"06\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"06\/10\/2010","Keywords":"Electrochemical Based Sensor; Nutrients; Drinking Water; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"This project involves the development of a novel electrochemical based voltammetric sensor for the determination of both nitrate and nitrite in potable water. The research methodology centres around the employment of nanostructured polyoxometallate (POM) functionalised surfaces as the sensing element within the proposed sensor. Two types of surfaces shall be investigated for their electrocatalytic properties, namely, POM doped conducting polymeric nanowires and POM nanoassemblies. Microfluidic channels etched in glass with an integrated electrochemical cell (fabricated in house) containing the sensing elements shall lead towards the development of an on-line device for continuous monitoring of environmental waters.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17850","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17850","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":185,"ProjectCode":"2008-S-ET-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Comparison of two biofilm technologies at an EPA\/NUI Galway\/ Galway County Council small town","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Edmond O'Reilly","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"08\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"08\/09\/2010","Keywords":"Wastewater Treatment; Economic Benefits; Sludge; Treatment technologies","ProjectAbstract":"Researchers in the Civil Engineering Department (the supervisors of the proposal) have recently developed a research and demonstration wastewater treatment facility with funding obtained from the EPA, NUI Galway and Galway County Council. At this research facility, an opportunity exists for a Masters study to be conducted comparing two different wastewater treatment technologies (namely the pumped flow biofilm reactor (PFBR) and the biological aerated filter (BAF) process) in the following ways: nutrient removal efficiency; operating costs; sludge production; and ease of operation. Best-practice guidelines will be prepared on these systems. The graduate student will gain considerable experience in the operation of wastewater treatment systems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17851","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17851","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":186,"ProjectCode":"2008-S-ET-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Application of Wireless Sensor Technology in Waste Water Treatment Plant Environmental Monitoring Systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Josephine Treacy","Institution":"Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) ","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"03\/11\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"03\/05\/2010","Keywords":"Water Quality; Wireless Sensor Technology; Wastewater treatment; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"This innovative interdisciplinary project will investigate the development, design engineering and end of pipe deployment of wireless sensor technology to study pH in water and ammonia emissions from Charleville and Limerick waste water treatment plants with the aims of providing new know-how, procedures and organisational management for environmental protection and enhanced environmental technology capability. Seasonal and plant operational variations with the use of the real-time monitors will be investigated for pollution remediation. Results of the sensor deployment and the laboratory based methods for analysis will be compared in terms of efficiency, cost, sustainability, reliability and improved treatment of pollution.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17852","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17852","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":187,"ProjectCode":"2008-S-ET-6","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of novel photocatalytic adsorbents for organics removal from water and wastewater","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"john tobin","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2010","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Wastewater treatment; Hazardous organic pollutants; Polycatylitic absorbents","ProjectAbstract":"Under the EU water framework directive, specific measures must be adopted at EU level against pollution of water by certain pollutants presenting a significant risk to the aquatic environment. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies are often ineffective in the removal of hazardous organic pollutants (HOPs), some of which are listed as priority hazardous substances (e.g. certain pesticides). The purpose of this work is to develop new integrated photocatalytic adsorbents for the removal and photodegradation of HOPs from water and wastewater. These are to be based on the novel approach of combining the adsorption potential of activated carbons with the photocatalytic properties of TiO2. This work will be carried out in partnership with Enva Ireland Limited.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17853","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17853","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":188,"ProjectCode":"2008-S-ET-9","ProjectAcronym":"PV","ProjectTitle":"Design and testing of novel flat sheet membrane technologies for Pervaporation (PV); Applications in biofuel production.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael A Morris","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2010","Keywords":"Renewable enegy; Ethanol; Combustion efficiency; Reduced exhaust emmissions.","ProjectAbstract":"Renewable energy sources are a cornerstone of environmental policy. Ethanol is the most promising biofuel. As petrol additive it increases octane number and combustion efficiency but decreases exhaust emissions. Increasing petroleum costs are making bioethanol commercially viable. An azeotrope limits distillation to 95% ethanol\/water mixtures but for fuel use the ethanol must be anhydrous. Various methods for dehydration exist but add significant costs. Pervaporation (PV) is emerging as the most environmentally sound method for dehydration but is in its infancy. This proposal seeks to study a series of novel nanomaterials emerging from UCC for use in the PV process.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17854","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17854","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":189,"ProjectCode":"2008-WFD-96","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Review of the Legislative Requirements and Responsibilities Relating to On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems and their Impact on Water Quality","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Helen Simcox","Institution":"Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"05\/06\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"05\/12\/2008","Keywords":"Water Quality; Eutrophication; Rural population; Wastewater treatment","ProjectAbstract":"There are increasing concerns about the impact of the rural population on water quality and in particular its contribution to eutrophication. This is especially the case in areas where the population is highly dispersed and relies mainly on on-site wastewater treatment systems or small rural wastewater treatment works. There is limited information on the number, location and level of maintenance of these systems or the impacts of associated discharges on water quality and ecology. This project was a desk-based study for the Environmental Regulators within Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It aimed to improve knowledge of the impacts of a dispersed population pattern on water quality and to inform future legislation, policies and procedures to address pollution related to wastewater treatment provision in rural areas. The outputs are intended to be used to review the consenting, administration, data handling and regulation of on-site wastewater treatment systems. The core deliverables were (1) Review of legislative requirements and responsibilities and identification of best practice; (2) Literature review of the impacts of on-site wastewater treatment systems, including cumulative loadings and impacts on water quality; (3) Identify methods used to estimate \/ quantify the nutrient loadings in discharges from small WWTW on water quality and provide recommendations on a suitable methodology for use by the Environment Agencies.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17855","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17855","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":190,"ProjectCode":"2009-ET-MS-8-S2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"New Nano-Structured Polymeric Membranes for the Treatment and Purification of Water.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Denise Rooney","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"14\/09\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"14\/09\/2012","Keywords":"Technology; Treatment; Purification; Polymeric membranes","ProjectAbstract":"Membrane technologies are an established means for producing potable water from surface water, groundwater and industrial wastewaters. However, even the best performing nanofiltration membranes suffer from fouling, limiting their usefulness in water treatment. We propose two new related strategies in an attempt to address this problem. The first involves chemical modification of polyamide (nylon) nanofiltration membranes with polymeric brushes so that the fouling components are prevented from reaching the membrane. The second approach involves the deposition of polypyrrole nanofibres onto nylon supports and using the exchange properties of these nanofibres to extract cationic (heavy metal) and nitrates from water. This research encompasses elements of synthesis, electrochemistry, polymers, membrane technologies, environmental nanotechnologies and water treatment and is highly novel. Accordingly, we expect this work to lead to the publication of six peer-reviewed papers, six conference papers, the establishment of new collaborative links with national and international academic groups, industrial researchers and policy makers and form the basis for future policy documents on water resources. The research training element of the work will provide new highly trained and skilled researchers in nanotechnologies for environmental applications, contributing to the establishment of a critical mass of Irish researchers in this new emerging field.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17856","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17856","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":191,"ProjectCode":"2009-PhD-ET-15","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of chemically engineered nano-porous absorbents for phosphate removal from waste water streams","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael A Morris","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2010","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Mesoporous; Absorption; Phosphate removal","ProjectAbstract":"This project has achieved significant success in the last 18 months. During that time project results were presented (orally or poster) at national and international conferences. Work was carried out within the Chemistry department at UCC at the ERI (Environmental Research Institute) also at UCC. This meant that the facilities for synthesizing and characterising mesoporous materials were available within UCC or the ERI (Environmental research institute). In particular, XRD, UV-VIS spectroscopy and BET (surface area measurements) were available in Chemistry and XPS, SEM and atomic adsorption spectroscopy available in the ERI. TEM was available in UCC and Tyndall. Up to 20 test materials (as porous powders) were synthesised with varying Ti or Fe doping levels within a porous silica matrix. They were characterised using x-ray diffraction (XRD), N2-adsorption isotherms (BET method) and transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM\/SEM). These materials removed up to 100% of phosphates from waste water and analysed using UV-Vis spectroscopy (by use of the molybdenum blue method which produces a distinct color change in presence of phosphate). The most successful materials from these experiments were then studied in more depth using more sophisticated apparatus to probe uptake kinetics as well as saturation uptake. Figure 1(a) shows a UV-Vis profile of a 1ppm solution of phosphate before and after addition of 0.25g 401 Ti-doped mesoporous silica. After 1h agitation there is a clear reduction in the phosphate level to 0.2ppm. Figure 1(b) shows a TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) image of the 401 Ti-doped silica. Figure 1(c) shows the rates of adsorption of Ti-doped silica at ratios of 201, 401 and 801. This proves that higher levels of Ti-doped silica in more effective for phosphate removal. This success of this work has also led on to other areas such as pore size expansion and tailoring of mesoporous powders and gels which can be applied to other environmental technologies. In an effort to scale-up laboratory processes, we have recently developed a synthesis method for the large scale (0.2kg) production of mesoporous silica powders. These large batches have been packed into commercially available filtration systems for iron sequestering. In conjunction with Acorn Water, Bandon, Co Cork we currently have a pilot water filter system being prototyped on domestic premises. This will be a model for a similar phosphate reduction system can be trialed at a small waste water treatment plant. Over the last 18 months Mr. McManamon also supervised, trained and transferred his knowledge to undergraduate and postgraduate research students and helped another EPA-funded postgraduate at UCC. He has been trained various synthesis and analysing techniques to best lab practice. Within the Chemistry Department at UCC Mr. McManamon taught practicals to 1st Year Science students and demonstrated to 1st and 2nd year Chemistry students.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17857","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17857","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":192,"ProjectCode":"2009-PhD-ET-7","ProjectAcronym":"IIASBR","ProjectTitle":"Development of an intelligent intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor (IIASBR) technology for nutrient-rich wastewater treatment with-a-view to commercialization","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Xinmin Zhan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2012","Keywords":"Wastewater; Treatment; Technology; Intelligent Intermittently Aerated Sequencing Batch Reactor (IIASBR)","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed project aims to develop an intelligent, intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor (IIASBR) technology for nutrient-rich wastewater treatment by carrying out lab- and pilot-scale studies. The key task is to enhance the 'intelligence' of the IIASBRs, i.e., capability in self-adapting operation in response to varying influent wastewater characteristics. This can be achieved by controlling IIASBRs with software programme and probe data. Research contents will include (1) development of control software with lab- and pilot-scale studies (2) investigation of nitrogen transformation by examining N2O emissions and microbial characteristics in IIASBRs and (3) commercial and technical assessment of the proposed technology.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17858","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17858","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":193,"ProjectCode":"2009-PhD-ET-9","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of novel, environmentally neutral, biodegradable, flocculants and biofilters based on biomass and derivatives for water treatment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ian Marison","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"14\/09\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"14\/09\/2012","Keywords":"Food Oils; Plants; Press-cakes; Water treatment","ProjectAbstract":"Many oilseed plants are used for the production of food oils, cosmetics and biodiesel. After pressing to remove the oils, the residual press-cake is generally disposed of as a low added value feed or incinerated. Here we will use press-cakes from a wide variety of oilseed plants (1) for the isolation of proteins and small molecular weight compounds which can be used as bioflocculants in place of the ferric\/aluminium salts and acrylamides currently employed in water treatment and (2) directly as biofilters for the removal of a wide range of pesticides, herbicides, medicinal drugs and hydrophobic organic pollutants.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17859","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17859","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":194,"ProjectCode":"2009-PhD-W-11","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The impact of on-site wastewater treatment for small community developments on groundwater","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/11\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"02\/11\/2012","Keywords":"Wastewater; Treatment; On-site Wastewater Treatment ; Groundwater","ProjectAbstract":"The research will evaluate the impact of wastewater treatment systems for small community developments on groundwater by monitoring upstream and downstream of four cluster developments in areas of different groundwater vulnerability. This data and results of recent research into on-site systems will be used to calibrate numerical models of the scenarios. A generic conceptual model will then be developed utilizing available information such as groundwater vulnerability, aquifer and soils mapping to give strategic guidance to Local Authorities as to the most appropriate choice of treatment for the density of development from on-site discharges to connecting to a centralised sewered system.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17860","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17860","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":195,"ProjectCode":"2009-PhD-W-12","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of environmental compliance of waterbodies through integration of monitoring and modelling","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Hartnett","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2012","Keywords":"Environmental compliance; Water quality; Monitoring; Modelling","ProjectAbstract":"This research will focus on developing a methodology for optimising water quality monitoring programmes and for developing assessment procedures for water quality compliance of lakes and estuaries with EU and national legislation. The approach adopted will be generic so that the methodology can be applied to different water quality parameters and different legislative instruments. The primary objective of this research project is to integrate water quality monitoring data together with model predictions to provide improved monitoring and estimates of water quality parameters in a cost-effective manner using the Bayesian maximum entropy (BME) method of geostatistics.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17861","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17861","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":196,"ProjectCode":"2009-WFD-68c","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"River Fish Classification Tool","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Helen Simcox","Institution":"Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"22\/10\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"22\/01\/2010","Keywords":"Classification; River fish; Water Framework Directive; Prototype","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of the project was to develop a suitable statistical method to enable classification of river fish to comply with the Water Framework Directive, for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This project developed a prototype river fish classification tool. The internet-based tool allowed uploading of data, running of a prototype classification method, and output of final classification results.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17862","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17862","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":197,"ProjectCode":"2010-EH-MS-10","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Towards a Cryptosporidium Monitoring Proposal","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Theo De Waal","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2012","Keywords":"Cryptosporidium; National standard; Drinking water; Oocyte monitoring.","ProjectAbstract":"Cryptosporidium is an important cause of waterborne enteritis worldwide. Ireland has one of the highest reported incidence rates of cryptosporidiosis in Europe, with between 8.7 and 14.4 cases\/ 100,000 of population annually since 2004 (Health Protection Surveillance Centre). Yet, there is no standard for Cryptosporidium in the Drinking Water Regulations and no national standard operating procedure for the monitoring of oocysts in water supplies. It is the aim of this project to standardise Cryptosporidium testing in Ireland by adopting best practice procedures for the monitoring of Cryptosporidium in public water supplies and private water schemes. Moreover, the significance of other emerging pathogens and chemical contaminants in treated drinking water in the Irish context will be evaluated. Standard operating procedure manual for the monitoring of Cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water; Report describing the need for a National Testing Service as assessed by a survey of all public and private water supplies. Cost-benefit analysis of establishing a national testing laboratory as opposed to using existing commercial services. Setting up of best practice technologies for drinking and raw water Cryptosporidium testing, and assessment of oocyst genotype and viability at the Backweston Laboratory Complex (BLC). Establish accredited (ISO 17025) Cryptosporidium testing laboratory at BLC. Evaluation of the potential significance of emerging contaminants (biological and chemical) in Irish drinking water.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17863","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17863","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":198,"ProjectCode":"2010-ET-CP-20","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Water Recovery Feasibility Study","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Clancy","Institution":"FDT Consulting Engineers and Project Managers Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2011","Keywords":"Industries; Water saving; Water treatment; Cost-efficient","ProjectAbstract":"We have identified 5 typical sites in the industries mentioned with a total water usage of over 1.4 million cubic metres per annum- based on 20% recovery rate this would give potential water savings of 292,000m3\/annum. At approximately 1\/m3, the total potential savings in water charges alone on these sites would be 292,000 per annum. When effluent treatment\/disposal and pumping costs are taken into account the total savings would be closer to 400,000 per annum. The results of the project and the savings identified will be directly replicable across the industries concerned.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17864","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17864","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":199,"ProjectCode":"2010-ET-CP-22","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Resource Minimisation at COPE Galway in the charity sector","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Martin O'Connor","Institution":"COPE Galway","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2012","Keywords":"Economic benefits; Reduced waste; Reduced water; Reduced CO2 emission","ProjectAbstract":"Economic benifits to include cost savings in the operation of COPE Galway services and through the discimination of the learning from the project to other charities and small enterprises and to service users living in their own homes. Environmental benefits to include reduction in CO2 emissions, water and waste and harm to the environment through the use of greener chemicals. The results of the project will have a relavance to other charity sector and small enterprises of a similiar nature. A report on the project will be published on and promoted through a leaflet and on the COPE Galway Website.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17865","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17865","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":200,"ProjectCode":"2010-ET-CP-23","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cleaner Greener Production at Tech Group Europe","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Shane Mooney","Institution":"Tech Group Europe","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"29\/01\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"29\/01\/2012","Keywords":"Dry Ice Cleaning; Aerosol cans; Energy saving; Water management","ProjectAbstract":"1. Dry Ice Cleaning: Eliminate purchase of 60L containers for disposal of Aerosol cans as hazardous waste cost 3000 per year. Prevent incinerating 50 of 60L drums of aerosols. Reduced downtime of 20 hours per week across machines. 3. Energy saving and productivity could save 100,000 if 4% is achieved. 4. Induction heating if successful, a return on investment of less than 2 years & product & quality benefits. 5. Cooling water management 6. training 7. Eco-design tool-kit introduction Results will be applicable to other plastic processers in Ireland and across WEST and we will present findings at conferances and on TV.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17866","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17866","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":201,"ProjectCode":"2010-PhD-WQ-18","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Influence of Parasites on Dinoflagellate Bloom Dynamics","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Robin Raine","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2013","Keywords":"Ssutainability; Shelfish; Water transfer; Toxic; Algal blooms","ProjectAbstract":"The sustainability of shellfish aquaculture in Europe has been under threat due to the presence in the sea of toxin containing phytoplankton. The significant economic losses to aquaculture caused by the contamination of shellfish with algal biotoxins have demanded predictive models that can forecast harmful algal blooms. Whilst the onset of these events can in some cases be predicted with accuracy their duration is still highly uncertain One of the causes of the termination of harmful algal blooms is parasite infection yet virtually nothing is known of the dynamics of or even diversity of this group of organisms. This project will specifically research the relationship between the duration of harmful blooms of targeted species and their parasite infection.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17867","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17867","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":202,"ProjectCode":"2010-SD-DS-1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Benefit Transfer for Irish Water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Stephen Hynes","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"31\/01\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Economic value; Water quality; Policy; Benefit Transfer","ProjectAbstract":"There are several econometric methodologies employed in the estimation of the economic value of public goods such as \"good water quality\" or \"good ecological status\". These may be categorised into revealed preference and stated preference methods. The policy tool of Benefit Transfer (BT) takes the results of these methodologies in various studies to form the bedrock of practical policy analysis. Primary valuation research, while being a first best strategy, is also very expensive and time consuming. Thus, secondary analysis of the valuation literature is a second best strategy that can yield very important information in a management context. The results of this project will inform policy makers responsible for implementing the Water Framework Directive in relation to the use of BT as an alternative for Ireland in estimating \"good water quality\" or \"good ecological status\". Within the project we will determine the most suitable BT methodology in the Irish policy context. The project will also go one step further and actually collect the estimates from the large number of water quality related valuation studies that have already been conducted right across the EU and apply them in a BT exercise to a number of water bodies in Ireland. The results from this project will include a policy document reviewing the use of the Benefit Transfer (BT) methodology for valuing water quality with recommendations in regards to the most appropriate form of BT to use in the Irish case. A paper will also be produced on the application of BT to a number of water body catchments in Ireland. A database of welfare estimates related to achieving and maintaining water quality will also be created and an article for potential peer reviewed publication in relation to the benefit transfer exercise will be prepared.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17868","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17868","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":203,"ProjectCode":"2010-W-DS-2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessing, preventing & managing Priority & Hazardous Substances in surface and groundwaters.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Regan","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2011","Keywords":"Hazardous substances; Groundwater; Policy; Website","ProjectAbstract":"This scoping study will provide a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge & research in the assessment, management & prevention of Priority & Hazardous Substances in surface and groundwaters. We will build on substantial existing work being done in the research group at DCU, and engage actively with international experts and practices occurring in other EU jurisdictions to provide the relevant agencies with a report that will make recommendations on how best to assess & manage the issue of exceedances of specific pollutants, priority & hazardous substances in surface waters and recommend appropriate management strategies for preventing and limiting inputs of hazardous & non-hazardous substances, as identified by the EPA into groundwaters. A web page will be developed at the start of the project that will host collated data obtained, and show updates on project progress. The website will have regular bulletins demonstrating the progress of the work enabling discussion and the sharing of information with relevant parties. The final report will contain recommendations for the policy makers towards future research needs in the area ensuring compliance with the Groundwater Regulations. The research collaboration with international experts and agencies and training provided will build capacity in this area in Ireland and the methodologies used will be published in peer review journals.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17869","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17869","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":204,"ProjectCode":"2010-W-DS-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Management Strategies for the protection of High-Status water bodies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Grace Glasgow","Institution":"RPS Ireland Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"13\/12\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"13\/09\/2011","Keywords":"High-status; Water quality; Site protection; Water Framework Directive","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed research will address the aim which is to develop management strategies for the protection of high status water bodies in Ireland. The project will, frame its findings within the context of both national and international information and experiences that will a) review and b) recommend strategies for the protection of high status sites. The project will include scientific information, that provides a rationale for site protection; the policy framework which provides insight to integration of policies, potential conflicts and contradictions; and stakeholder engagement and fiscal options necessary for local support for site protection. A Project Steering group is proposed to be established for the duration of the project. WP 1 A review of how legislation effects or fails to protect high status sites in Ireland; a comparison of determination, monitoring and protection of high status sites across the EU: and recommendations of good practice, including socio-political approaches to site protection. WP 2 Guidance document on the protection of High-Status water bodies and supporting datasets; and case studies on implementation of guidance. WP 3 Management strategies report; Final report; website material for dissemination of project findings; Presentation to EPA Water Conference 2011; 1 scientific peer reviewed paper on project outcomes.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17870","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17870","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":205,"ProjectCode":"2010-W-DS-4","ProjectAcronym":"SCSC","ProjectTitle":"Smart Coasts - Sustainable Communities (SCSC)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bartholomew Masterson","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/07\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"30\/06\/2013","Keywords":"Bathing Waters; Health; Real-time management; Blue-Flag Beach","ProjectAbstract":"The policy driver is the compliance of bathing waters with new EU standards and public health protection (i.e. the responsibility of the Swansea Council Stakeholder thus, to protect health and maintain high levels of Blue Flag beaches. Simple numerical compliance with new standards is the EU regulatory requirement on Member States. However, they have the option to use real-time prediction to manage their bathing waters. The EA Stakeholder has calculated that 74 Welsh beaches could achieve an excellent standard with the predictive approach, we will supply, but only 43 without this (Ireland 115 with 95 without). DEFRA estimates UK-wide cost savings using the real-time management of 1.4B. NB: the new predictive approach is NOT a regulatory requirement and NOT currently possible because Ireland and Wales do not have the tools for its implementation. This project will provide such tools. The proposal builds on past work by the academic partners in the SMART Interreg IIIA project. The outputs will comprise an array of modelling and data analysis tools needed to apply the real-time management approach to beaches across the EU. Spin-off benefits for aquaculture in the near-shore zone will also be delivered as the project provides tools for microbial source apportionment, modelling and budgeting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17871","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17871","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":206,"ProjectCode":"2010-W-LS-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of disposal options for treated wastewater from single houses in low permeability subsoil","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2014","Keywords":"Wastewater; Treatment; Single Houses; Subsoils","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed research is to provide solutions to the problems of on-site wastewater treatment and disposal for single houses in rural areas, particularly in areas where the subsoil is of low permeability. This research proposal is divided into four main subprojects, two based upon field trials, one on GIS modelling and one review of international best practice. Six existing septic tank soakaway will be monitored to establish the degree of contamination to groundwater and\/or surface water and to assess the extent of the effluent plume. Two of the sites with low permeability subosils will then have two separate infiltration systems in parallel, a drip system and a Low Presuure Pipe system, which will be assessed in the field. Two willow evapotranspiration systems will also be constructed and monitored for the duration of the project. Geospatial modelling metholdogies will be tailored to evaluate a series of different strategies for use by Local Authorities with respect to planning decisions and the treatment and disposal of wastewater effluent. Finally, reviews of water saving technologies and advanced treatment processes will be made, as well as advice on how to assess bedrock permeabilities beneath shallow areas of low permeabiilty subsoil. Guidance for retrofitting existing on-site systems if problematic Fact sheets with design guidelines for LPP and drip feed in different subsoil types Design Guidelines for willow evapotranspiration systems receiving on-site wastewater treatment in Ireland. Geospatial modelling methodology allowing LAs to compare different strategic scenarios for on-site wastewater treatment & disposal. Guidelines on the best method to use for determining bedrock permeability for different bedrocks beneath low permeability subsoils in Ireland Quantification of effluent reduction potential using water saving devices Synthesis of all work packages in a coherent report to the EPA which addresses the objectives of the project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17872","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17872","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":207,"ProjectCode":"2010-W-LS-4","ProjectAcronym":"SILTFLUX","ProjectTitle":"Measurement of sediment and silt flux in rivers, benefits of enhancement measures and policy implications","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Bruen","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Sediment Fluxes; Literature review; Irish database; Measuring tools","ProjectAbstract":"This is a multi-institutional proposal involving participants from UCD, University of Birmingham and Ireland's Inland Fisheries Board addressing a very large deficit in knowledge about sediment fluxes and impacts in Ireland. It will 1. Establish the current state of international knowledge through a thorough literature review. 2. Establish a database of data relevant to the Irish conditions 3. Validate existing surrogate (optical or acoustic) methods of sediment flux measurement methods for irish conditions and, if necessary, develop a new and easy to use method for measuring silt accumulation in river bed substrates. [silt accumulation is a major factor in the impairment of riverine habitats for some of Ireland' most sensitive species ( including endangered ones). 4. Use the knowledge, expertise and equipment developed above to characterise sediment outputs from both unimpacted and impacted rivers for a variety of river types 5. Evaluate the effectiveness of management measures and 6. Develop guidance for policy makes in relation to sediment management [Two major open technical workshops will highlight the project's results and assist in forming policy recommendations].","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17873","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17873","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":208,"ProjectCode":"2011-EH-MS-11","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"CapE -Capture, Extract, Amplify: A Rapid Method for Monitoring Large Water Volumes for Pathogenic Contaminants?","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dearbhaile Morris","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"03\/03\/2014","Keywords":"Agricultural waste; Rainfall; Verotoxigenic E. coli; Water quality management","ProjectAbstract":"Ireland has one of the highest rates of infection with verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) in the European Union. VTEC are commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle and Ireland has a very large bovine population many of which are grass fed outdoors and shedding faeces into the general environment for much of the year. Ireland has a very high level of rainfall which contributes to the risk of run-off of surface deposited animal faeces into surface and ground waters. There is a consensus that contaminated water is a significant contributor to VTEC infection in Ireland and elsewhere. Existing conventional methods for detection of VTEC have significant limitations because of (1) the complexity of VTEC biology and (2) low level and intermittent contamination of water may be associated with disease given the very low infectious dose. This project proposes to develop an approach to sampling of large volumes of water for VTEC using molecular methods capable of detecting essentially all biological variants of VTEC. The approach proposed, if successful, could be readily adapted, using other molecular targets to detect other E. coli variants of public health concern as well as a wider range of other water-borne bacteria and protozoan pathogens In terms of academic output, this project will result in a number of peer reviewed papers, and several conference presentations. This research will increase capacity and strengthen links between the institutions involved, and inform policy related to the water quality and its management. Recommendations to local enforcement and\/or regulatory authorities on potential monitoring strategies will be provided.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17874","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17874","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":209,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-DS-5","ProjectAcronym":"GWDTEs","ProjectTitle":"Environmental Supporting Conditions for Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Catherine Coxon","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2012","Keywords":"Groundwater; Water Framework Directive; Ecohydrology; Literature review","ProjectAbstract":"This project aims to describe the environmental supporting conditions of 10 GWDTE types within the context of groundwater classification under the Water Framework Directive and associated Groundwater Directive. The project will review current legislation and implementation measures relating to the protection of GWDTES. Past and on-going research activities related to GWDTEs occurring in Ireland will be investigated for their potential application to assessing significant damage and in terms of their application to development of conceptual models of GWDTE ecohydrology. The outputs of the UKTAG project on defining trigger action\/threshold values for GWDTEs will also be evaluated in terms of their application to Irish GWDTEs. The literature review will inform the development of ecohydrological conceptual models. The conceptual models will describe the linkages between wetland hydrodynamics (e.g. groundwater flow, level and hydrochemistry) and relevant wetland biota using conceptual models. Trigger action\/threshold values for evaluating significant damage to GWDTES will be proposed based on the literature review and conceptual models. Key knowledge gaps related to assessing significant damage to 10 GWDTE types will be summarised. Key outputs of the project include a comprehensive literature review document, conceptual ecohydrological models for ten GWDTE types, as assessment of the major threats to GWDTE quality, proposed threshold values relevant to assessing significant damage to GWDTEs and an inventory of knowledge gaps relating to GWDTE tests within the context of groundwater body classification. One peer-reviewed publication in an international journal will be produced. Feedback from a dissemination workshop will be incorporated into the final report.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17875","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17875","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":210,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-DS-6","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"MSFD-Support Research on OSPAR Ecological Quality Objectives","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Samuel Shephard","Institution":"Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2012","Keywords":"Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Implementations of limits; Monitoring; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) 2008\/56\/EC aims to ensure that Europes seas achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) by 2020. When fully developed, the current suite of EcoQOs can facilitate the determination of GES and monitoring and reporting within the regional implementation of the proposed MSFD. The key aims of this project are (i) to identify candidate indicators and targets\/limits from the EcoQO system that can be meaningfully applied to components of the MSFD and (ii) to make recommendations about how to implement these in Irish waters. These outcomes will be achieved through the following steps: 1. Assess specific linkages between the EcoQO and MSFD structures, and identify candidate indicators for the MSFD. 2. Demonstrate an evaluation protocol for selected indicators with potential for application in Irish waters. 3. Identify and critique potential monitoring data sets, including gaps in knowledge, and make recommendations on coordinating data collection. 4. Propose and demonstrate a protocol for the formulation or refinement (tuning) of indicators, and setting of targets for Irish waters. 5. Project dissemination website and concluding workshop. The project builds on the participants wide experience with ICES working groups and recent publications on interpreting EcoQOs for the Celtic Sea. *EcoQOs\/MSFD linkage tables. *A list of candidate indicators\/EcoQOs for Irish waters. *A case-study evaluation of 1-2 indicators (Rice and Rochet, 2005). *A generic protocol for evaluation of candidate indicators. *A list of monitoring data sets and advice (with input from ICES WGISUR) on coordinating data collection for the MSFD. *A case-study in indicator tuning\/target setting (Shephard et al., In Press). *A generic protocol for indicator tuning\/target setting for Irish waters. *Project webpage hosted by the Marine Institute. *Stakeholder dissemination meeting. *Final report and publication(s).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17876","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17876","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":211,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-DS-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Research on Public Attitudes towards Water resources","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Cathal O Donoghue","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2012","Keywords":"Policy; Irish public; Water Framework Directive; Water quality","ProjectAbstract":"In ensuring an optimal mix of policies, policymakers need to make decisions which are informed by the values and priorities which are expressed by the Irish public in relation to the desirable outcomes from the implementation of the WFD. Within this context, this study will develop an attitudinal based survey to establish the specific attributes of high quality water that are most relevant for Irish citizens. This survey will also establish the priority that the public, as a whole, place on preserving and improving resources of high quality water bodies as compared with other environmental objectives and establish the specific attributes of high quality water that are of most relevance for Irish citizens. These results would make it clear how high a priority water quality is for the public, and so inform policy discussion in this area. In addition, this project will determine the general publics WTP for increasing the ecological quality of water sources from a good or moderate status to one of high quality. In doing so this study will also explore a number of methodological issues in relation to the calculation of WTP including the effect of distance decay for users and non-users, scope and ordering effects. Three reports will be presented to the EPA summarising the results from this research project. A workshop will also be organised to disseminate the research to interested parties. Building on the strong publication record of the research team, research conducted under this project will lead to a number of publications in peer reviewed journals. Members of the project team will also present the results from this research at a number of national and international conferences.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17877","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17877","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":212,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-DS-8","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Moving from physcial measures of water quality to user values","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Cathal O Donoghue","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2012","Keywords":"Water benefit index; Water quality; Catchment; Characteristics","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this study is to firstly derive a water benefit index and relate it to river water quality. There is a broad set of attributes that characterise our water resources and to capture this complexity this study will develop a system that awards points to each river catchment based on its delivery of benefits to the general public. The range and extent of benefits (and subsequent scoring) that can be attributable to each water body examined will be informed by an examination of the Quality ratings of water quality provided by the EPA and other site characteristics. This study will also link physical measures of river water quality with a number of spatial datasets relating to agricultural, residential and industrial activities as well as the level of forest cover to examine the major economic influences on the ecological quality of rivers. Overall the information stemming from this project can be used not only to help Ireland meet water quality targets but also to shape policy in order to tailor resources at areas that would generate the greatest market return or welfare gain. Three reports will be presented to the EPA summarising the results from this reserach project. A workshop will also be organised to disseminate the research to interested parties. Building on the strong publication record of the research team, research conducted under this project will lead to a number of publications in peer reviewed journals. Members of the project team will also present the results from this research at a number of national and international conferences.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17878","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17878","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":213,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-FS-6","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Predicting ecological status of unmonitored lakes based on relationships between status, hydrogeomorphological and landuse characteristics","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Caroline Wynne","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"08\/01\/2014","Keywords":"Surface water; Nutrient loading; Eutrophication; Lake Ecological Status","ProjectAbstract":"Surface waters in Ireland, and indeed across much of the world, are at risk from the effects of anthropogenic activities (Lucey 2009). Industry, agriculture and domestic waste and wastewater contribute to the eutrophication, acidification and physical degradation of rivers and lakes (Monteith et al. 2005; Schindler 2006; Boon et al. 2010). Critical to the management of such risks to surface waters is an increased understanding of and ability to predict the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on ecosystems and an acknowledgement of the importance of scale. The Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000\/60\/EC) requires that both monitored and unmonitored water bodies be assigned ecological status. The goal of the proposed study is to predict the likely ecological status of unmonitored lakes based on relationships between ecological status, catchment landuse, population densities and hydromorphological characteristics. The current project will add to our understanding and ability to predict status by quantification of the relationships between hydrogeomorphological and landuse factors and ecological status and development of risk thresholds for significant landuse and chemical parameters, thus enabling the prediction of status in unmonitored lakes.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17879","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17879","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":214,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-FS-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Integrating hydromorphology into typology to improve risk assessment of Irish lakes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Katherine Webster","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"08\/01\/2014","Keywords":"Hydromorphology; Lake properties; Typology; Risk assessment","ProjectAbstract":"Hydromorphology elements related to basin morphology and flow regime constrain a wide range of fundamental lake properties and processes that determine sensitivity to pressures and resilience to disturbance. However, integrating these elements into an effective lake typology has been elusive. We propose to use existing EPA datasets on lake water chemistry, biology and water level; river flow; and groundwater characterisation to develop a lake typology that integrates multi-scalar hydromorphology features. Our approach is innovative in that it includes consideration of the position of a lake within the hydrologic flow system, shown in previous studies to capture spatial and dynamic patterns in physical, chemical, and biological features. Typologies will be empirically evaluated as to their ability to account for among-lake spatial and temporal heterogeneity in trophic variables, ratios, biodiversity, and flow regime. A field component will be designed to test the empirical relationships on unsampled lakes or to collect supporting data on, for example, geochemical signatures related to groundwater inputs. The practical applicability of the hydromorphic typology model and associated elements for nutrient loading models, setting reference conditions, identifying under-monitored lake populations, and for enhancing risk assessments for lake responses to pressures such as abstraction and eutrophication will be demonstrated.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17880","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17880","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":215,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-FS-8 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The effect of the wastewater treatment process, in particular UV treatment, on pathogenic virus removal","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eoghan Clifford","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2014","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Human Pathogenic Viruses; Treatment technologies; Surface waters","ProjectAbstract":"Human pathogenic viruses (HPVs) in water supplies can cause infections such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis and meningitis. Other negative effects associated with relatively high levels of pathogenic viruses in surface waters and these include: (i) deterioration of bathing water quality and the associated human health and tourism consequences; (ii) poor quality of abstracted water from surface waters for drinking purposes; and (iii) threats to the marine shellfish industry including consequences for human health and the industry. This project will test at both laboratory and pilot scale a number of methods (membrane and UV) for disinfection of secondary wastewaters by examining removal of the following parameters (amongst others): NoV GI and GII, FRNA bacteriophage, total coliforms and E.coli;Enterococcus. Technologies such as membrane filters and UV systems will be trialled at sites including the EPA\/NUI Galway Water Research Facility (WRF). Identification and quantification of norovirus and FRNA bacteriophage will be determined by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FRNA bacteriophage will also be quantified by an agar plaque assay to give a direct comparison of virus reduction as judged by a viability assay and by real time PCR. FRNA bacteriophage will be compared as a surrogate for norovirus and other HPVs.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17881","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17881","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":216,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-MS-4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Using discrete choice method to calculate generic values for water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Stephen Hynes","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"16\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"16\/06\/2013","Keywords":"Water Quality; Irish Public; Economic value; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17882","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17882","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":217,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-MS-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a pulsed light approach as a novel solution in drinking water treatment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Neil J Rowan","Institution":"Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"09\/01\/2014","Keywords":"Drinking water treatment; Pulsed UV light; Cryptosporidium; Wastewater treatment","ProjectAbstract":"This frontier multidisciplinary AIT-NUIG project will investigate the development of pulsed UV light (PUV) as a novel solution to water treatment. It will specifically identify critical inter-related factors governing the reliable and repeatable destruction of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and other waterborne microbial pathogens in water at the pilot scale waste-water treatment plant (WWTP) level (Tuam, NUIG). This project will also be extended to investigating PUV use for private water supplies. This constitutes a unique and timely project as it combines the complementary expertise of Prof Neil Rowan [co-ordinator] and Dr Andy Fograrty (ecotoxicologist) in AIT with leading experts in partnering NUIG comprising Dr Eoghan Clifford and Dr Edmond O'Reilly (civil engineers at NUIG with considerable experience in water treatment innovation), Prof Martin Cormican (Microbiologist, NUIG), and Dr Maeve Duffy (electical\/power engineer at NUIG - who will assist with knowledge transfer and development\/monitoring of PUV system in situ in pilot WWTP) and . If funded, this value-for-money project will recruit Dr Mary Garvey as lead-researcher who undertook her PhD studies funded by EPA Doctoral Scholarship programme under the co-supervision of Prof Rowan and Prof Cormican on the development of PUV for the destruction of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water at bench-scale level. The need and rationale\/justification for undertaking this timely project is strongly aligned with core tenets of key strategy documents including EPA's Strategy 2020 Vision - Protecting and Improving Ireland's Environment document; SOE Report 2008; European Communities Drinking Water Regulations (SI No. 278, 2007 and SI 439, 2000). Funding will faciliate the formation of a formidable alliance between key experts from AIT and NUIG in cognate domains enabling development of PUV as a solution to water treatment, thus creating critical capacity and capabilities in this area. Outputs from this project will be published in peer-reviewed scientific and engineering journals.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17883","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17883","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":218,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-MS-6","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessment and Monitoring of Ocean Noise in Irish Waters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Joanne O'Brien","Institution":"Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"09\/01\/2013","Keywords":"Acoustic Noise; Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Marine Mammals; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"Under this project, a data audit will be carried out to identify and catalogue acoustic datasets collected to date in Irish waters. These datasets will be used to generate a baseline of acoustic noise levels primarily based on the frequency band 10Hz to 10KHz. This research is designed to meet Irelands requirements under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), but will also serve to fulfil requirements under the EU Habitats Directive for marine mammals. All datasets will be modelled for the proportion of days in which anthropogenic sound exceeds 183dB between 10 Hz to 10 KHz. At present, no observation stations are identified or fully established in Irish waters, therefore a collaboration will be set up with associate partners Michel Andre from the Laboratory of Applied Bioacoustics (LAB) at the Technical University of Catalonia, Spain (UPC) helping to build capacity within Ireland by carrying out trial deployments of noise monitors. This project will serve to inform management by generating baseline values of noise levels, identify recommendations for future studies and predict how Ireland can acquire and maintain Good Environmental Status by 2020. Expected outcomes include a detailed database and archive of acoustic datasets collected in Irish waters. Datasets will be explored to establish the proportion of days within a defined period that anthropogenic sound exceeds 183dB between 10Hz and 10KHz. An approximate disturbance area for baleen whales will be generated. A database of licensed activities will be created, as well as a register of activities which produce low and mid-frequency impulsive sounds and continuous low frequency sounds. Trial deployments of noise monitors will build capacity in Ireland, and results used to inform policy. Two peer reviewed publications will be delivered.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17884","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17884","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":219,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-MS-7","ProjectAcronym":"Noise","ProjectTitle":"MSFD - Support Research on Descriptor 11 (Noise)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gerald Sutton","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2013","Keywords":"Noise monitoring; Marine environment; Monitoring criteria; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"There is currently no monitoring program in place for monitoring noise in the marine environment in Ireland and baseline data do not exist. The proposed research will support the development of criteria in relation to the MSFD GES Descriptor 11 for Ireland (i.e. introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment) including both Indicators. The objectives require the combination of expertise in data mining, signal processing, sound propagation modelling, and marine biology in Irish waters, and the proposed research will provide the information necessary for the development of indicators 11.1 and 11.2 as specified in the MSFD. This will be necessary for assessing their suitability as indicators and for further refinement or rejection if deemed unsuitable. In this case, the research will contribute to the justification that Ireland will be obliged to present to the Commission. Expected outputs include a dissemination workshop, website, peer-reviewed journal articles, and conference presentations to ensure wide communication and maximise policy impact. The project will deliver a database of licensed activities in Irish EEZ that produce loud low and mid frequency sounds, a GIS database of environmental variables, a preliminary Atlas of Noise for Irish waters, and potential risk maps for marine mammals to help address requirements of the MSFD. This project will build capacity in this growing research area in Ireland, and will support the Governments objective of raising the international profile of Irish research capabilities.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17885","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17885","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":220,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-MS-8","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"One-step drinking water treatment using nanofiltration and nanostructured composites","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Anne Morrissey","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2015","Keywords":"Drinking Water; Contaminantion; Treatment; Nanofiltration","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this project is to develop an innovative one-step drinking water (DW) treatment technology, which can remove both inorganic, organic and microbiological contaminants with great effectiveness. This technology will not only reduce the discharge of chemicals to the environment, compared with the dechlorination technology currently adopted, but should also effectively remove microbiological and organic contaminants by addressing the limitations of disinfection methods that use TiO2 and UV. The proposed solution is based on using a novel silver-graphene adsorptive-biocide composite in combination with a nanofiltration membrane separation system. Graphene is a uniquely structured carbon with attractive adsorbent properties, which in combination with silver, enables the removal of low concentration pollutants. The silver-graphene nanocomposites will be deposited on the membrane surface enabling a one-step treatment. In addition, the proposed technology will be designed to control the growth of biofilms in order to reduce the re-growth potential of the microbial contaminants. A full life-cycle, energy balance and sustainability for long-term operation assessment will be performed on the system, and this novel, highly commercialisable technology will be developed from small scale through to 30L scale with system testing in the field in conjunction with our industrial partners. The outputs from this project include the publication of at least five research papers, one potential patent application and one commercialisable technology developed in conjunction with our industrial partners. In addition, one PhD candidate will graduate and a Post Doctoral Researcher will have received three years of training. Success in this project will enable the UDRI to apply for funding for continuation projects with FP7 partners. Finally, a more reliable drinking water treatment system will have been developed for small rural water schemes which can be expanded to include applications in countries where clean drinking water is a national problem.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17886","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17886","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":221,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-PhD-1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Quantitative analysis of fractures systems and their impact on flow pathways in Irish bedrock aquifers","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Walsh","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2015","Keywords":"Groundwater; Bedrock Aquifers; Fault and Fracture Systems; Pathways","ProjectAbstract":"This project will involve the quantitative analysis of fault and fracture systems in the broad range of Irish bedrock types, focussing on developing generic conceptual models for fault\/fracture systems in different lithologies and at different depths, and linking them to observed groundwater behaviour. The project will define the quantitative characteristics of the different types of fault\/fracture systems encountered in Ireland. A variety of attributes\/parameters, all of which are critical determinants of the flow behaviour and pathways of such systems, will be defined from high quality natural outcrops, quarries and mines, including fracture orientations, densities, spacing\/clustering, sizes (length\/aperture\/thickness), scaling and connectivity. Quantitative characteristics of the different fault\/fracture systems will be defined in distinctive lithological sequences (e.g. Calp or Waulsortian limestones), in an attempt to provide a mechanical basis for differing fracture system systematics and established differences in the flow and transport conceptualisations across Irish fractured bedrocks, and their variations either in depth or across regional zones. Structural geologic conceptual models and parameterisations will be linked to observed groundwater behaviour (derived from GSI hydrogeological databases and ongoing Griffith and EPA-Strive projects) by undertaking flow simulation of simple generic fracture system models and case studies of flow in Irish fractured aquifers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17887","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17887","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":222,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-PhD-2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Detection and quantification of viable and non-viable norovirus in oysters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Vincent O'Flaherty","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2015","Keywords":"Shellfish; Wastewater; Norovirus; Health","ProjectAbstract":"Filter-feeding bivalve shellfish can become contaminated with pathogenic noroviruses (NoVs), when grown in seawater impacted by municipal wastewater, representing a significant public health risk. Current real-time PCR methods for the quantitative estimation of NoV levels in oysters do not distinguish between infectious and non-infectious virus particles. This project aims to identify, develop and validate an appropriate methodological approach for estimating the quantity of viable NoVs in oysters. The procedure will subsequently be used in an experimental setting to investigate the level of non-viable and viable NoV particles in oysters from a range of environmental settings. This will provide a clearer understanding of the infectious risk associated with levels of NoVs detected during monitoring by current real-time PCR methods. It is not the intention of this project to develop a method applicable for routinely detecting viable NoVs in oysters although the approach developed may form the basis for such a method in the future. The major objectives of this project are: to develop an experimental molecular based procedure to estimate the level of viable NoVs in oysters; to subsequently use this method to determine the ratio of viable and non viable NoVs in oysters under a range of conditions.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17888","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17888","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":223,"ProjectCode":"2011-W-PhD-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A QMRA Approach to Estimate Public Health Risks Caused by Microbes Associated with Beach Sands","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Wim. G. Meijer","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2015","Keywords":"Bathing Water; Recreational Use; Beach Sand; Microbes","ProjectAbstract":"Recreational use of bathing areas in Ireland predominantly takes place on beaches, in particular on sandy beaches. Although it has been recognised that beaches may be contaminated by faecal indicator bacteria and pathogenic microbes, it is unclear what risks contaminated Irish beaches pose to the general public. The quality of bathing waters in the European Union is governed by the revised Bathing Water Directive (rBWD). In addition to the standards applying to water quality, the rBWD also emphasises the quality of the entire bathing site, which includes the beach area. Local authorities are required to construct bathing water profiles, describing any situation that could have a negative impact on public health, and to undertake management measures to limit these public health risks. This project combines a microbial analysis of beach sands with a quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment approach. The project studies the association of faecal indicator bacteria and pathogenic microbes with sand particles of dry and wet beaches. The project will identify health risks associated with beach sand contaminated by faeces and pathogenic microbes, will identify appropriate management measures to reduce these health risks and will evaluate the effectiveness of these measures.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17889","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17889","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":224,"ProjectCode":"2011-WRM-DS-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Roadmap for a National Resource Efficiency Plan for Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Tadhg Coakley","Institution":"Clean Technology Centre (CTC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2012","Keywords":"Climate change; Resource efficiency; Policy Roadmap; National Strategy","ProjectAbstract":"We are currently using too many resources and producing too many emissions at global, European and national levels. Minerals, metals and energy, as well as stocks of fish, timber, water, fertile soils, clean air, biomass, biodiversity are all under pressure. Climate change is a real and massive threat to life on our planet as we know it. We need to reverse current trends. For these and other reasons, resource efficiency is a critical policy objective and a cornerstone of Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It is also a major policy objective for Ireland - to achieve environmental and economic benefits. This project aims to develop a roadmap for the development of a National Resource Efficiency Plan, with a view to facilitating a Resource Efficient Ireland. Using best practice examples from Ireland and elsewhere and consulting with all the main stakeholders in Ireland with regard to resource efficiency, Clean Technology Centre at CIT will develop a detailed and comprehensive roadmap to help transform Ireland into a resource efficient economy. Such a document will help to support, harmonise and co-ordinate the many worthwhile resource-efficient policies, programmes and actions already in place in Ireland. A roadmap for Resource Efficiency in Ireland will greatly aid national environmental and economic policy development. It will support and advance Irish national strategies and policies for Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Environmental Technologies, Waste Management, Green Public Procurement, Energy, Air and Water as well in meet objectives in overarching policies such as those outlined in Building Irelands Smart Economy, A Framework for Sustainable Economic Revival. It will also help to harmonise and coordinate the many worthwhile resource-efficient policies, programmes and actions already in place in Ireland, involving the many different stakeholders and agencies active in this area.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17890","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17890","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":225,"ProjectCode":"2012-B-PhD-8","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Invasive alien aquatic plants in Ireland; from ecophysiological traits to management strategies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Marcel Jansen","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2016","Keywords":"Invasive alien aquatic plants; Freshwater; Ecological Impact; Management control strategies","ProjectAbstract":"Invasive alien aquatic plants (IAAP) are an increasing economic and ecological threat to Irelands freshwaters. Compared to the extensive literature on terrestrial invasive plant species, much less is known about the physiological traits and habitat preferences underpinning invasiveness of floating and submerged aquatic invasive plants, and how these apply to Irish waters. Understanding the comparative biology of alien aquatic plants, particularly species traits governing invasion success, is vital for predicting their future distribution, ecological impact and to develop effective management control strategies. In this project, we will analyse growth and invasiveness in the context of the seasonality of the Irish climate, and in response to enhanced levels of plant nutrients (eutrophication). We will also determine the seasonality of herbicide effectiveness. The proposed programme integrates database mining, field and mesocosm approaches, will enhance our understanding of the threat posed by alien aquatic plants in Ireland, and will inform management strategies.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17891","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17891","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":226,"ProjectCode":"2012-B-PhD-9","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Targeting payments for ecosystem services to address the favourable conservation status of key freshwater habitats","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Helen Sheridan","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2016","Keywords":"Ecosystem Services; Conservation; Freshwater; Habitats","ProjectAbstract":"The primary aim of this project is to develop a framework for targeting payments for ecosystem services (PES) to address the favourable conservation status of key freshwater aquatic habitats and species. The research approach to is based on the detailed characterisation of catchments, with national and \/ or international priority freshwater aquatic habitats or species, through data gathering and mining of land- use, hydrological and economic parameters. A GIS multi-criteria decision analysis will be used to select a number of representative catchments for more detailed case studies of how best to target PES in return for the conservation of key freshwater aquatic habitats and species. There, relationship between the basic requirements of cross compliance regulations and PES will be explored. This study will also investigate how to spatially target PES within catchments, using high resolution digital terrain model data. The outputs of valuation analysis of key ecosystems services will be integrated with the hydrological connectivity analysis within a GIS framework to develop a risk based approach for the targeting of PES within selected catchments. Recommendations on institutional structures, mechanisms for implementation and a list of policy measures will be made, based on the research.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17892","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17892","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":227,"ProjectCode":"2012-EH-MS-13","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Measurement and modelling of health impacts arising from the landspreading of biosolids","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mark Healy","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2015","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Resource Efficiency; Biosolids; Human health","ProjectAbstract":"The land application of biosolids, the by-product of urban wastewater treatment, provides a sustainable and beneficial alternative to landfilling, and is in line with national and EU policy, which warns against over-reliance on landfill and supports resource efficiency and re-use of waste. In Ireland, guidelines governing the application of biosolids to land do not consider the relationship between biosolids application rate and surface runoff of nutrients, suspended sediment, pathogens, emerging contaminants, or metals; nor do they consider the dose-response relationship between associated hazards and human health. Therefore, the aims of this study are to: (1) undertake a thorough literature review of the spreading of biosolids on land to include analysis of potential impacts on environmental and human health (2) examine, under controlled conditions in the laboratory and field, the impact of the landspreading of biosolids (on grassland) on surface runoff\/subsurface drainage\/shallow groundwater of nutrients, solids, metals, pathogens and some specified EC identified in the literature review (either natural toxins, veterinary medicine, or hormones arising from animals), when spread based on N and P application rates (3) to model and conduct a risk assessment of potential hazards of human health concern, using data generated in 1 and 2 above. Research capacity: This project is a new research collaboration between two research groups NUIG\/Teagasc and UCD. This project will broaden the knowledge base of work in this area, create synergies, and will foster new collaborations and research links into the future. Policy: Legislation governing the application of biosolids to land does not consider surface runoff of nutrients, SS, pathogens, emerging contaminants, metals, or impact on human health. Publications: peer reviewed journal and conference papers, reports for EPA and policy makers; guidance documents for farmers and industry.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17893","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17893","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":228,"ProjectCode":"2012-ET-CP-29","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"BIM Green Seafood Business Programme, Phase II","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Ward","Institution":"Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"14\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2014","Keywords":"Reduced Water Use; Water use recycling; Reduced energy use; Economic benefits","ProjectAbstract":"The Expected benefits include 1) Reduction in water use, 2) Increase in water Utilisation and Reuse 3) Reduction in Energy Demands 4) Overall improvement on company cost base 5) Increased knowledge by Key company employees 6) A Graduate with increased understanding of CGPP 7) Technical delivery of 2020 Food Harvest Brand Ireland policy 8) Increased knowledge of packaging reduction options.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17894","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17894","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":229,"ProjectCode":"2012-ET-CP-31","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Energy water and waste minimisation","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Declan Coleman","Institution":"Creganna Tactx Medical","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"28\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"31\/01\/2014","Keywords":"Reduced Energy Consumption; Reduced Water Consumption; Wastewater Re-Use; Reduced Waste","ProjectAbstract":"This project will reduce the companys environmental resource consumption by: 1. Reducing the energy consumption through introduction of SmartHeat technology, compressed air training and efficiency adjustments, lighting efficiency upgrades, energy training, sub-metering and energy audit. 2.Reduction of water consumption through reuse of waste water from the two Reverse Osmosis plants for use in WC flushing. 3. Reduction of landfill waste production through increasing waste recycling levels. 4. Reduce energy associated with compressed air 5. Make brass wire returns process more robust, expanding the free paper recycling arrangement and assist in the returns of pallets to suppliers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17895","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17895","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":230,"ProjectCode":"2012-ET-CP-33","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Applying LCA to compare disinfection techniques","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Carmel Mitchell","Institution":"Arann Healthcare","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Economic Benefits; Reduced water; Environmental benefit; Disinfection system","ProjectAbstract":"The environmental and economic benefits will be significant as it will not just reduce labour, it will also reduce water and transport costs. Water charges are on the rise and capital spend in hospitals are being cut, the new RADICA disinfection system will reduce the quantity of water required.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17896","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17896","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":231,"ProjectCode":"2012-ET-CP-39","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Greening Wexford Business","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Phil Walker","Institution":"Wexford County Enterprise Board","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"14\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"17\/01\/2014","Keywords":"Sustainability; Reduced resources; Reduced waste; Networking","ProjectAbstract":"The project is expected to deliver; *Ten small businesses with measurable improvements in sustainability and savings in energy, waste and water costs. *Continuation of the county momentum from the Wexford Festival Opera projects of the last two years. *A model which can be continued in Wexford after project completion. *A model which is transportable for co-operating Chambers and Enterprise Boards in other counties. Results will be promoted direct to Chamber and Enterprise Board members. Can also be promoted wider through Chamber and Enterprise Board networks who may be interested in adopting similar approaches.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17897","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17897","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":232,"ProjectCode":"2012-SD-DS-4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Bridge: communicating across the environmental science-policy divide","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Anna Davies","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"07\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"07\/10\/2013","Keywords":"Communication; Environmental Science; Policy; Desk study","ProjectAbstract":"BRIDGE develops and tests novel mechanisms for enhanced communication between environmental scientists and policy makers that will deliver greater utilisation of appropriate science in policy making. Adopting a practice-oriented approach and drawing on the participatory backcasting mechanisms developed in the EPA funded CONSENSUS (consumption, environment and sustainability) project, this desk study will generate a set of ground rules for positive two-way communication between scientists and policy makers. These ground rules will form pre-requisite procedures that need to be embedded in environmental science-policy engagements and form the foundation for the suite of mechanisms developed in the BRIDGE tool-kit for communication. Finally, the project will bring together environmental scientists and policy makers in the field of water, climate change and biodiversity conservation to test and evaluate the effectiveness of both the ground rules and a selected mechanisms for enhanced engagement. The proposal will deliver one academic paper in an international peer reviewed journal and one paper in a policy magazine. The project will conduct two workshops with the aim of producing a communications toolkit, one exploratory the other focused on both implementation and dissemination. The toolkit, which will include both a protocol for positive communication and a suite of possible mechanisms for enhanced communication, will be disseminated via a dedicated project website which will provide details of all project outputs and also function as a portal for linking up scientists and policy makers in Ireland and internationally.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17898","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17898","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":233,"ProjectCode":"2012-SL-FS-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development and Testing of Key Performance Indicators for the Evaluation of SEA Effectiveness in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Nicola Dwyer","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"05\/11\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"05\/11\/2014","Keywords":"Strategic Environmental Assessment; Key Performance Indicators; Water; Energy","ProjectAbstract":"This research will propose, refine and test a framework of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the effectiveness of SEA in Ireland. Three sets of KPIs will be developed to indicate a) the quality of the SEA reports (i.e. how robust a given SEA is in itself), b) how well a given SEA has been integrated into its corresponding Plan, and c) how well SEA is influencing the state of the environment. A State of Knowledge literature review assessing current international practice in the evaluation of SEA effectiveness, and the application of KPIs and other indicators will be prepared. This literature review will inform the refinement of KPIs which have been previously suggested in the EPAs SEA Effectiveness Review, and the development of additional KPIs. The three sets of KPIs will be piloted by selecting and reviewing 20-30 land use plans and applying the proposed KPIs. Following further refinement where necessary, the KPIs will be tested on water and energy related plans. The KPIs will also be tested by carrying out a case study with Local and Regional Authorities to investigate the ease of use of the KPIs. Consultation with these authorities will be ongoing throughout the project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17899","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17899","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":234,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-DS-9","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Management options for the collection, treatment and disposal of domestic waste water treatment systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Joyce","Institution":"Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"10\/10\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"10\/04\/2013","Keywords":"Sustainability; Wastewater reduction; Sludge Re-use; Septic tanks","ProjectAbstract":"As part of this research project, Ryan Hanley will: *Review the adequacy of existing legislation relating to the collection disposal and sustainable re-use of domestic wastewater sludges, *Quantify likely sludge volumes associated with septic tank\/OSTWS maintenance under a new regulated and licensed regime, *Analyse the spatial distribution of such sludge volumes from primarily rural dwellers throughout Ireland, *Examine the Sludge Management Plans of water service authorities with a view to quantifying an inventory of residual capacity within existing municipal wastewater treatment plants and satellite sludge Centres for the reception of untreated sewage sludges, etc, *Compile an inventory of available spare capacity at these centralised sludge treatment centres, *Evaluate environmental constraints pertinent to the use of land spreading and review best practice, *Evaluate the potential for establishment and or development of alternative disposal routes other than land spreading, and; *Review of existing legislation and guidelines relating to the issue of waste collection permits under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 and the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2008. Ryan Hanley will produce: *Sectional reports for work packages, *A final report setting out: *Main conclusions of the research, *Available spare capacity or capacity deficit for reception and treatment of such sludges at the various regional centres, *Potential for the development of alternative technologies, *Infrastructural deficits, *Customisation of licences granted to waste disposal companies for the collection and transport of untreated sludge, *A summary of the project findings for posting on the EPA website, and; *Powerpoint presentations for delivery to the EPA and the NIECE working group on DWWTS.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17900","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17900","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":235,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-FS-10","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Impact of the zebra mussel on the Water Framework Directive Ecological Status of Irish lakes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Millane","Institution":"Institute of Technology Sligo (ITS)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"15\/04\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"14\/04\/2015","Keywords":"Zebra Mussel; Water Framework Directive; Ecological status; Irish lakes","ProjectAbstract":"The primary objective of this research fellowship is to scientifically quantify the impact of the zebra mussel on biological elements and physico-chemical parameters contributing to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) ecological status in Irish lakes. This study will develop metrics quantifying zebra mussel populations in lakes, determine the impact of the zebra mussel on WFD biological elements and physico-chemical parameters and relate these impacts to the WFD assessment tools. At present, there is a major knowledge gap in accurately determining the WFD ecological status in Irish lakes as the presence of zebra mussels, and indeed other aquatic invasive species, has not been scientifically quantified and ecological status is assigned through a combination of expert judgement and the downgrading of otherwise high status lakes to good status. The proposed research will be carried out using a combination of field studies and the interrogation of available datasets to develop metrics\/models to address this.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17901","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17901","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":236,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-FS-9","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Trends in nutrient concentrations in Irish estuarine and coastal waters: implications for ecological status","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Sorcha Ni Longphuirt","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"08\/03\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"07\/03\/2014","Keywords":"Nutirent loading; Eutrophication; Water Framework Directive; Water monitoring data","ProjectAbstract":"Anthropogenically induced loadings of inorganic nutrients in estuarine and coastal systems globally have lead to the increased frequency in eutrophication symptoms, and can result in implications for higher trophic levels, including fisheries and aquaculture. The implementation of the Waste Water Treatment Directive (CEC1991a) and the Nitrates Directive (CEC 1991b), resulted in the continuous monitoring programmes nationally since the 1990s, and allow for a persistent observation of the status of Irish waters. With the introduction of the Water Framework Directive (2000), a series of physiochemical elements that support good ecological status have been identified and all water bodies must comply meet this status by 2015. Improved waste water treatment and measures to reduce diffuse sources of nutrients, chiefly through agricultural practices, have lead to an overall improvement in water quality of coastal and estuarine waters. This project aims to undertake a detailed analysis and interpretation of the accumulated historical monitoring data (nutrients, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, physical and environmental parameters) which would allow for an increased understanding of the functioning of coastal systems in the context of past and current mitigating water management practises. The expected outcomes would also inform future management decisions in the context of European Directives.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17902","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17902","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":237,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-MS-10","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Increasing Resource Efficiency in Waste Water Treatment Plants","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Lorna Fitzsimons","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"19\/03\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"18\/03\/2015","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Resource efficiency; Detailed analysis; Water Quality","ProjectAbstract":"This proposed research brings together key expertise in waste water treatment and energy\/resource efficiency. Waste water treatment is a resource intensive process. To put this in an Irish context, the treatment of waste water accounts for approximately 50% of local authorities' energy costs. In the United States the treatment of waste water accounts for 3% of total electrical load. These figures are expected to increase with increasing demand and with increasing environmental regulations and standards. With this in mind, the key objectives of this project are to benchmark Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) resource consumption and to demonstrate significant waste water treatment energy efficiency improvements. It is important, however, to ensure that reducing resource consumption in waste water treatment does not result in unacceptable reductions in water quality. Targeted WWTP for this proposed research include Shanganagh WWTP, a state-of-the art, newly commissioned plant and the Tuam WWTP and Waste Water Treatment Demonstration facility. The research adopts a multi-faceted approach and includes a number of key methodologies to benchmark and optimise resource efficiency and to model and validate water quality. The final project outcomes will include; Final Report including detailed analysis of results submitted to the research funding agency and the stakeholders, Peer reviewed Journal publications and Oral\/Poster presentations at conferences, 2 page summary report for the EPA web-site, Planned Collaborations and Networking both nationally (UCC, NUIG, Shanganagh WWTP, and Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown CC) thereby increasing knowledge transfer and building capacity and competency in this highly relevant area and Benchmarking and Good practice guidelines based on Best Practice. In addition it is planned to hold a Waste water treatment industry seminar\/workshop.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17903","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17903","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":238,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-MS-11","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The role of passive sampling in screening and monitoring of new and emerging chemicals","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Regan","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"18\/02\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"17\/02\/2016","Keywords":"Passive sampling; Biota monitoring; Priority substances; Pharmaceutical substances","ProjectAbstract":"This project will pilot the use of passive sampling technology combined with biota monitoring to assess the presence of priority substances in Irish surface waters. This will focus in particular on new pollutants earmarked as candidates for the Annex X priority substances list under the EU Water Framework Directive. This will consider the implications for compliance with current and proposed EQS and investigate the potential for incorporating passive sampling and biota testing in future compliance, investigative and trend monitoring. Key objectives of this project are: Test use of various passive sampling technologies and biota monitoring in surface water monitoring of priority substances in Ireland, Quantitative and qualitative screening of selected priority substances and proposed priority substances in a number of Irish waters representative of different pressures, Broad qualitative GCMS screening for other substances in surface waters to identify potential new pollutants, Assess status of cypermethrin pollution in Irish surface waters, Screening study of certain pharmaceutical susbtances in Irish surface waters, Develop recommendations and guidelines for use of passive samplers in future monitoring of surface waters in Ireland, Develop recommendations and guidelines for biota monitoring, including species\/tissue selection, in future monitoring for chemical status in Ireland. Workshops Year 1: Minor workshop Topic: Passive sampling of emerging pollutants (20 delegates) Year 2: Workshop Topic: Selection of biota for comparison of passive sampling and spot sampling Year 3: Final Workshop Topic: Findings and recommendations Project Website Twitter & regular content Established by month 3 and updated regularly Publications Peer reviewed publications (minimum of 2 per year (Water Pollution, International Journal of Environmental Monitoring, TRAC etc) Project quarterly bulletins (research outputs, conference topics) Review on passive sampling for emerging contaminants Book (Analytical methods) Recommendations paper \/ report Report and summary report Conferences (oral and poster).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17904","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17904","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":239,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-MS-12","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The impact of on-site wastewater effluent on rivers and wells","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2016","Keywords":"Domestic Wastewater Treatment; Groundwater; Surface Water; Pollution","ProjectAbstract":"The domestic wastewater of approximately one third of the population in Ireland (500,000 dwellings) is treated by on-site domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTSs). The potential impacts of such on-site effluent are the pollution of either groundwater and\/or surface water, in particular in areas of low permeability subosils (for surface water pollution) or Extreme vulnerability (for groundwater pollution). This project will evaluate 2 study catchments in areas of low permeability with high DWWTS density to evaluate upstream and downstream water quality (in particular phosphorus loads). It will also investigate 2 trial catchments in areas of Extreme vulnerability to evaluate microbial pathogen and phosphorus impact on wells (in addition to groundwater baseflow contributions into rivers). Finally, the project will determine a cost effective method of fingerprinting DWWTS loads on both domestic wells and rivers from a synthesis of exisitng team expertise, international literature review and targeted sampling of wells and rivers in the 4 trial catchments. The expected outputs are as follows: *final report and 2-page summary report *advice for appropriate low cost fingerprinting techniques for DWWTS effluent. *at least 6 peer reviewed papers in highly ranked international journals *research capacity building in the field of contaminnant hydrology with 3 PhD students *input into national media *data and analysis for policy makers with respect to decison being made on the pressures in catchments in both surface water and groundwater.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17905","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17905","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":240,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-MS-13","ProjectAcronym":"CONNECT","ProjectTitle":"Combining Earth Observation and Geochemical Tracing Techniques (CONNECT) for groundwater detection and evaluation in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jean Wilson","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2015","Keywords":"Geochemical maping; Connectivity; Groundwater discharges; Nutrient loading ","ProjectAbstract":"The purpose of CONNECT (Combined Earth Observation and ENviroNmEntal TraCing Techniques) is to further develop remote sensing tools and deploy developed geochemical tracing techniques to identify (map), characterise, quantify and evaluate the impact of submarine groundwater discharges while tentatively determining associated nutrient loading to Irish lake and coastal waters, in the spirit of the land-ocean water (and associated contaminants) transport continuum defined in the MSFD. The results of this research will be evaluated with a view to deploying the techniques nationally. The overall aim is to examine the connectivity between ground and surface water using an interlinked and complex lake system in northwest Ireland (Great Western Lakes) by tracing the path of groundwater and eventually, associated nutrients from and between Loughs Carra, Mask and Corrib into Galway Bay. Hence, groundwater will be traced across the entire freshwater-marine mixing continuum, from catchments on land to associated coastal ecosystems. The results from this research will also determine the potential of remote sensing as a cost-effective water management tool for inland and coastal waters, effectively building national capacity through the provision of a set of methodologies and baseline datasets. Results from this research are foreseen to produce a number of manuscripts which will be submitted to leading international journals targeting Remote Sensing of the Environment, Water Research, Journal of Environmental Management, International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, Limnology and Oceanography and Biogeochemistry to compliment the final report to the EPA. Participation and dissemination of results via oral presentations and posters at national and international conferences and to national stakeholders including local\/community interest groups will be undertaken, incuding the provision of two workshops on remote sensing and environmental tracing to the EPA.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17906","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17906","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":241,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-MS-9","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Collaborative funding for lipophilic substances monitoring trial conducted by the Environment Agency","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Danielle Ashton","Institution":"Environment Agency (UK)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"28\/09\/2012","Keywords":"Environmental Quality standards; Monitoring; River Thames; Sediment and Biota sampling","ProjectAbstract":"Under the EU Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) Daughter Directive, biota standards have been set for a number of lipophilic substances, including mercury. There is a requirement to implement these standards, this work is to establish how they can be used in a robust, proportionate way in order to satisfy Directive requirements. The EQS Directive also requires trend monitoring in biota and\/or sediment for 14 substances. At present, we do not know which matrix is the most appropriate to monitor in order to comply with the requirement to measure and report on priority lipophilic substances. The potential role of Passive Sampling Devices (PSDs) as surrogates for biota needs to be investigated. A monitoring programme will be conducted collecting water, sediment, biota samples and deploying PSDs at the same sites at various sites on the Thames. The samples will be analysed for the WFD priority compounds in order to determine the efficacy of the different matrices at picking up the compounds. An analysis of the samples for the WFD priority compounds will be undertaken in order to determine the efficacy of the different matrices at picking up the compounds and a report produced.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17907","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17907","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":242,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-PhD-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of filtration technologies for effective, cost-efficient and robust water treatment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eoghan Clifford","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2016","Keywords":"Drinking Water; Contamination; Sand Filtration; Water Remedial Action List","ProjectAbstract":"The provision of safe drinking water is vital to maintaining good public health. Furthermore clean potable water provides significant economic benefits as it is essential for commercial users. The identification of unsafe water supplies and the provision of remediation measures can incur significant costs. In some cases, problems identified are as a result of, or exacerbated by current water treatment systems which may be hydraulically overloaded. The EPA have published a Water Remedial Action List, which details the extent of actions necessary at drinking water facilities where elevated levels of contaminants have been identified. Contaminants particularly identified include trihalomethane, cryptosporidium, aluminium, and turbidity. Thus it is vital that treatment technologies, installed on site, are fit for purpose, flexible, well maintained, robust and energy efficient. Simplicity of upgrade and operation are also important factors. Filtration technologies remain a cost-effective and efficient solution. This project proposes the use of sand filtration technologies, with novel augmentations as solutions to enhance the removal of contaminants including aluminium, THMs and cryptosporidium. The novel designs will also be required to be effective in removing turbidity. Design and operational guidelines (including at above design capacity) will ensure these filters can provide consistent and cost effective treatment.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17908","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17908","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":243,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-PhD-6","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Biogeochemical cycling of nitrates in Irish Estuaries","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Cindy Smith","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2016","Keywords":"??","ProjectAbstract":"Estuaries are the major conduit between land and sea, through which nutrient run-off from human activity flows into coastal systems. As a result increased concentrations of nitrates are entering nitrogen limited estuarine and marine systems stimulating primary productivity. However, estuaries are not passive channels and microbially driven processes within sediments mediate the nitrogen levels passing though them. These include nitrate reduction, whereby nitrate is reduced to nitrite, which subsequently can be reduced by denitrification (DN) (the stepwise reduction of nitrite to dinitrogen gas) or via dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). Depending on the pathway (DN or DNRA) nitrate is either removed or conserved within the system, directly affecting the nutrient status of the estuary and coastal ecosystems. The specific aims of the research project are to determine potential rates of nitrate reduction, DN and DNRA in three Irish estuaries of contrasting nutrient status over various time and spatial scales. This will be achieved, using a combination of estuarine sediment microcosm experiments to determine potential rates and molecular techniques to target and quantify the microorganisms within the sediments responsible for the processes. Finally, using actual rate process data generated, a biogeochemical model of nitrogen in Irish estuaries will be constructed.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17909","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17909","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":244,"ProjectCode":"2012-W-PhD-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Use of filters for treatment of drinking water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gavin Collins","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"30\/04\/2016","Keywords":"Drinking Water; Sand Filtration; Coliforms; Microbial Contaminants","ProjectAbstract":"Sand filter technologies will be investigated for the removal of coliforms, viruses and emerging microbial contaminants. Various media will be investigated for absorptive properties and efficacy. The mechanisms underpinning the biological inactivation of the contaminants will be investigated, which is an important aspect of the proposal. The student will join a consortium of biologists and engineers and will also determine the composition of the community underpinning filter systems treating THMs, aluminum and various other emerging contaminants.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17910","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17910","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":245,"ProjectCode":"2013-B-PhD-11","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Scholarships","ProjectTitle":"Integrated Environmental Managment and Monitoring System for Estuarine Ecosystems (Doctoral Studentship)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Geraint Ellis","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"06\/01\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"06\/01\/2017","Keywords":"Environment Management and Monitoring System; Estuarine; Sustainable management; Normative model","ProjectAbstract":"This proposal aims to develop an integrated Environmental Management and Monitoring System (EMMS) for estuarine ecosystems in Ireland. The proposal sets out a detailed research programme encompassing three key stages: 1) Developing a Normative Model; 2) Data Gathering and User Engagement; and 3) Analysis, Synthesis and Dissemination. Stage 1 involves reviewing international models of best practice in integrated estuarine management including an appraisal of relevant legislative and regulatory requirements for their sustainable management. This first stage will conclude with the development of a normative model of EMMS which will be tested in Stage 2 of the project. This second stage will apply the normative model to two case study areas, the Shannon and Liffey Estuaries. The normative model will be trialled for effectiveness in the management of these estuarine areas supported by stakeholder engagement, facilitated through the establishment of local working groups for each area. Stage 3 will include a performance analysis of the normative model based on the case studies. This will conclude in the development of an appropriate EMMS model which can be applied in any Irish estuarine context. Other project outputs include PhD thesis write up, academic papers, practitioner tools and dissemination through social media.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17911","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17911","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":246,"ProjectCode":"2013-B-PhD-12","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Scholarships","ProjectTitle":"Biodiversity richness, water quality management and flood attenuation in natural and constructed wetlands","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mark Healy","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"13\/01\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"13\/01\/2017","Keywords":"Wetlands; Biodiversity; Water Quality; Wastewater","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this project is to compare natural and constructed wetlands in terms of biodiversity richness, water quality management and flood attenuation in the Western River Basin District. Natural wetlands, located in a protected area of the WRBD which does not achieve favourable conservation status and are of poor ecological status, will be monitored at the inlet and outlet over a 3-year study duration. These natural wetlands may be receiving either point discharges of municipal wastewater or diffuse discharges arising from overgrazing or chronic losses arising from over-application of organic and artificial fertilisers. The performance of artificial (constructed) wetlands receiving secondary treated wastewater will also be examined. Comparison of both systems will be in terms of (1) wastewater purification (2) biodiversity and (3) nutrient uptake in vegetation (4) hydraulic loading and flood management.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17912","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17912","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":247,"ProjectCode":"2013-ET-CP-43","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Green Enterprise","ProjectTitle":"Water Management at Industrial Facilities in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Norrie Foran","Institution":"Central Solutions Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/12\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"09\/07\/2015","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.central-solutions.com\/","InternalProjectID":"17913","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17913","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":248,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-DS-10","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards (SMAATIE)","ProjectTitle":"Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool Ireland (SMAATIE)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Philip Perrin","Institution":"Botanical, Environmental and Conservation (BEC) Consultants Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"11\/11\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"11\/07\/2014","Keywords":"Saltmarsh; Angiosperm; Water Framework Directive; Desk study","ProjectAbstract":"The Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland (SMAATIE) project is an eight month desk study that will, through collation and analysis of available data on Irish saltmarshes, develop and apply a tool for ecological status assessment of the angiosperm Biological Quality Element in coastal and transitional waters for the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The tool will be developed following assessment of similar tools used by other Member States in the Northeast Atlantic Geographical Intercalibration Group. Potential metrics for inclusion in the tool will be investigated addressing the required aspects of abundance, composition and disturbance sensitive taxa, and will examine historical, recent and current habitat extent, community zonation and angiosperm taxa diversity. Draft versions of the tool will be tested in the context of available data on environmental pressures. The finalised tool will be applied to a representative sample of Irish water bodies containing saltmarsh habitat and a national Ecological Quality Ratio (EQR) will be calculated. The SMAATIE project will facilitate Ireland's involvement in the last round of intercalibration with other Members States. Guidance and recommendations will be made on the timing and methodology of data collection for ongoing monitoring purposes and will ensure the State is WFD-compliant in this regard.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.botanicalenvironmental.com\/","InternalProjectID":"17914","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17914","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":249,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-DS-11","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards","ProjectTitle":"Economic Assessment of the Waterborne Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis in Galway, 2007","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dearbhaile Morris","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2015","Keywords":"Cryptosporidium; Galway; Water treatment; Economic impact","ProjectAbstract":"In March 2007, the largest outbreak of cryptosporidiosis since surveillance began was identified in Galway. The outbreak lasted for 5 months during which time a boil water notice was in place affecting approximately 90,000 people. This had a major impact on residents, tourists, local businesses and local authorities. Significant investments were made in upgrading the water treatment plants serving Galway City and surrounding areas, however the full economic impact of the outbreak on all concerned has not been evaluated to date. This proposal aims to place a monetary value on the costs and inconveniences imposed on the public, local businesses, the health care system, local authorities and national agencies. The proposal will assess the impact on economic output in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and other water dependent sectors. The outbreak has had negative impacts on the public's confidence in the water supply. Although challenging, this study will explore this to articulate a framework that encompasses such qualitative aspects in valuing the economic loss due to the incident. The proposal also aims to estimate a cost to benefit ratio for the incident as a whole, which will be useful for policy makers to validate investments in water in Ireland.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17915","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17915","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":250,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-DS-12","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards (Relay_Risk)","ProjectTitle":"Communicating Risk Based Enforcement (Acronym: Relay_Risk)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eoin O'Neill","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2015","Keywords":"Monitoring; Communication; Regulation; Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed research will develop a framework to support the preparation and monitoring of an engagement strategy to effectively communicate risk-based environmental regulation. The research will begin by identifying the guiding principles of an effective communication strategy for risk-based regulation. This will draw on international best practice across all areas of risk-based regulation. The research will provide guidelines and metrics to support those charged with implementing and monitoring an engagement strategy, supporting effective allocation of limited resources. All guidelines and recommendations will be tested through a pilot study that assesses the effectiveness of the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) engagement strategy.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17916","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17916","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":251,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-DS-13","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards","ProjectTitle":"A Systematic and Participatory Review of Research on the Impact of Agriculture on Water Quality","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Donnacha Doody","Institution":"Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2015","Keywords":"Mitigation; Agriculture; Water Quality; Food Harvest 2020","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this project is to develop an evidence-base for further research on mitigating the impact of agriculture on water quality in Ireland in the context of achieving the targets of inter alia EU WFD and Food Harvest 2020 report. This will be completed through a systematic and participatory review process of relevant research carried out in Ireland related to both the bio-physical science of agriculture and water quality and related research on farmer engagement and behavioural change. These aims will be achieved through three key objectives: 1. To conduct a systematic review of the research using a standardised and peer reviewed methodology to identify gaps 2. To elicit the input of a wide range of experts in this field of research with the aim of prioritising future research needs.and future policy drivers of research needs that integrate and add value to the existing research 3. To develop recommendations to inform the prioritisation of research on mitigating the impact of agriculture on water quality.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.afbini.gov.uk\/","InternalProjectID":"17917","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17917","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":252,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-DS-14","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards","ProjectTitle":"Quantify the Effect of Lead Pipe Removal on Lead Concentrations in Drinking Water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Joyce","Institution":"Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"03\/03\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"03\/03\/2015","Keywords":"Water Industry; Pipework; Lead; Drinking water","ProjectAbstract":"This Water Call Project 8 will inform the water industry in Ireland regarding the issues surrounding lead service pipework and the effectiveness of the options available for addressing elevated lead concentrations in drinking water, in particular the folliowing: *The relative contribution of lead from different elements of the water supply system including lead service pipework, lead from solder, brass fittings and taps *The effect of different levels of service pipe replacement (partial and full replacement) or rehabilitation on reducing levels of lead leached from service pipework and quantification of the reductions in lead concentrations achievable from partial pipe replacement versus full replacement *The suitability of service pipe lining as an alternative to pipe replacement in areas of elevated lead concentrations *Examination of the potential for optimisation of treatment plant operation through pH adjustment as an alternative to service pipe replacement or rehabilitation to reduce lead leaching potential *The quantification of the effect of stagnation on lead concentrations measured at a consumers tap and recommendations on the sampling techniques to be employed to facilitate comparison of lead levels spatially and measure the effects of lead reduction measures over time.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17918","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17918","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":253,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-FS-12","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Research Fellowship","ProjectTitle":"Biogeochemical Cycling of Carbon and Nutrients in Irish Marine and Estuarine Waters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Triona McGrath","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency; Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"01\/07\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"30\/06\/2016","Keywords":"Ocean acidification; Monitoring; Climate change; Anthropogenic carbon","ProjectAbstract":"The oceans absorb approximately one-third of the carbon emissions released to the atmosphere as a result of human activities. Ocean acidification (OA) is the lowering of pH and concentration of carbonate ions in seawater due to increasing atmospheric CO2. Organisms that incorporate CaCO3 into their shells and tissues, including corals, calcareous algae, echinoderms and shellfish, find it more difficult to produce their shells in a more acidic ocean. The North Atlantic is particularly susceptible to OA due to newly ventilated deep water along with cool temperatures. OA is occurring at an unprecedented rate and research is therefore needed to understand the changing ocean chemistry and potential impacts on marine ecosystems. The main objectives of this project are to support ongoing winter time series of nutrient and carbonate chemistry in Irish coastal, shelf and offshore waters to determine how the Irish marine environment is changing with time. Rates of acidification and levels of anthropogenic carbon will be determined in the Rockall Trough, an important oceanographic region ocean-climate research. The project also aims to describe the spatial and temporal evolution of the CO2 system in Irish estuaries and coastal waters to determine if these areas are sources or sinks of atmospheric CO2. New carbonate data will be supported by existing physical and chemical datasets held by the MI and the EPA and will help to predict the potential impacts of OA on Irish marine ecosystems, including the Irish shellfish industry. Finally, a desk study on transient tracers in the ocean will generate information on the current techniques and approaches for determining water mass ages that could be applied in future offshore oceanographic surveys. This will not only increase our understanding of circulation in the region, it will allow us to calculate the concentration of anthropogenic carbon in intermediate and deep water masses.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17919","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17919","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":254,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-FS-13","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Research Fellowship","ProjectTitle":"Suitability of Municipal WWTPs for the Treatment of Leachate from Landfills in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Raymond Brennan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/12\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"09\/12\/2015","Keywords":"Groundwater; Pollution; Municipal Waste Water Treatment Plants; Landfill leachate","ProjectAbstract":"Internationally, there are on-going and recent cases of groundwater and\/or local environment pollution as a result of poor landfill leachate management. Furthermore, wastewater plant managers may refuse to continue treating landfill leachate or are re-evaluating current disposal fees for leachate at their plants. In Ireland, due to the lack of previous reliable data, recent studies have recommended further research be conducted into the effect of landfill leachate on the operation of municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs). This project aims to close gaps in both national and international knowledge (outlined above) and significantly improve current practice in treatment of landfill leachate in municipal wastewater treatment plants. The project focuses on field based work at both landfill and MWWTPs. The project team will also utilise full scale trial facilities such as the NUI Galway\/EPA Water Research Facility and associated remote monitoring facilities. This project will (i) characterise landfill leachate and their effect on MWWTPs, (ii) survey landfill and WWTP operators (iii) develop guidance on landfill leachate treatment with aprticular reference to municipal wastewater treatment plants (iv) develop a cost benefit analysis to compare onsite treatment to treatment and MWWTPs and (v) meet with and disseminate results to project stakeholders.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17920","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17920","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":255,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-FS-14","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Research Fellowship","ProjectTitle":"Catchment Management Support Tools for characterisation and evaluation of programme of measures","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eva Mockler","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2017","Keywords":"Pollution; Source-Pathway-Receptor framework; Catchments; Point Source Pollution","ProjectAbstract":"Quantification of the sources of pollution is essential for a meaningful mass balance model of pollutants within the Source-Pathway-Receptor framework, along with pathway attenuation determined from appropriate science using Irish datasets and catchment conditions. The STRIVE Pathways project developed the Pathways Catchment Management Tool (CMT) with an emphasis on the transport and transformation of diffuse agricultural pollutants within the catchment to the receptor. This research aims to further develop the CMT to better simulate point sources in Irish catchments, thereby simulating the fate of pollutants from all sources to the mouth of the river. This project will build on previous research to refine the calculation of loadings by validating the loadings methodology where possible and investigating the relationships between point and diffuse pollution transported and transformed along the river reach. Following from the annual mass balance approach, the project will further investigate catchments with a dynamic water quality model that can simulate the transport and transformation of pollutants from multiple sources and identify the changes in critical source areas over time depending on hydrological and anthropogenic conditions. Characterisation and evaluation of measures from this research will help Ireland to achieve its WFD targets for healthy water bodies and ecosystems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17921","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17921","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":256,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-FS-15","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Research Fellowship","ProjectTitle":"Characterisation of reference conditions for rare or unusual river typologies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Edel Hannigan","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"13\/01\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"13\/01\/2016","Keywords":"River Typologies; Water Framework Directive; Reference condition.","ProjectAbstract":"Currently knowledge of the biological reference conditions for certain river types such as groundwater -dominated rivers, highly acidic rivers and lake ouflow river sites is lacking. As part of the Water Framework Directive this knowledge gap must be addressed to enable all typologies to be assessed accurately and fully intercalibrated. Previous research characterised reference conditions for twelve river typologies in Ireland (RIVTYPES project). The aim of this research is to determine if these so far understudied river types represent unique typologies. Data , both historical and collected during this project will be analysed with the dataset generated from the RIVTYPE project to investigate if the typologies overlap or are already defined within the existing 12-type river classification. If unique groupings are identified, potential type-specific reference conditions will be highlighted using habitat structure and biological and chemical characteristics. This will then enable full intercalibration to take place resulting in compliance with the requirements set down by member states. On a more national scale by understanding how systems such as groundwater and surface waters are linked it will enable better quality standards to be established.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.ucd.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"17922","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17922","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":257,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-MS-14","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards","ProjectTitle":"Quantify the Effect of Lead Pipe Removal on Lead Concentrations in Drinking Water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Liwen Xiao","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2016","Keywords":"Natural organic matter; Trihalomethanes (THM); Water treatment; Catchments","ProjectAbstract":"Natural organic matter (NOM) is one of the main sources of environmental pollution to drinking water supplies in Ireland. In addition to aesthetic problems such as colour, taste and odour, NOM serves as precursor for the formation of carcinogen trihalomethanes (THMs). The Irish EPA found that about 12.9% and 25.3% of the water treatment plants in public water supplies and Public Group Water Schemes, respectively, failed to meet the THMs parametric value of 100 ug L-1. In addition to the THMs problems arising from NOM, there is increased recognition and concern about the risk of naturally-accurring organic toxins such as ptaquiloside from braken in raw water. Therefore, in this proposed research: *High risk catchments for public and private water supplies (surface water and groundwater) in relation to NOM and ptaquiloside will be identified across Ireland *Six high risk catchments will be selected for NOM and ptaquiloside monitoring, modelling and risk assessment. *Guidelines to reduce risk of NOM and ptaquiloside in Irish waters will be developed. This project will develop network with the Food and Environmental Research Agency (FERA)' in the UK for ptaquiloside monitoring.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17923","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17923","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":258,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-MS-15","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards","ProjectTitle":"Biological Quality Element validation for Tidal Freshwater Transitional Waters in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"James Wilson","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"17\/03\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"17\/07\/2016","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Assessment; Freshwater; TFTW's","ProjectAbstract":"The absence of appropriate biological assessment methods for tidal freshwater zones is one of the main gaps in satisfying the requirements of the EU WFD and for sustainable development of TFTWs. The ecological assessment methods for rivers and brackish transitional waters have not been fully tested in TFTWs. The aim of this project is to validate the biological quality elements for TWs (WFD Annex V, namely phytoplankton, macroalgae, angiosperms, benthic invertebrates and fish) and to test other possible candidate BQEs (e.g. invasive species) for assessment of TFTWs. The project will review biological assessment methods used in the ecological assessment of TFTWs and test the current BQEs across a range of TFTWs in Ireland. From these, recommendations will be made as to their consistency with the normative definitions (Annex V) and as to which should be incorporated into a suite of biological assessment methods to assess the ecological status of TFTWs. The project will run for 28 months and will draw on a range of expertise from within TCD and external consultants. Stakeholders will be informed of the progress and outcomes through the website, a range of reports and a final briefing workshop.","ProjectWebsite":"https:\/\/www.tcd.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"17924","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17924","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":259,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-SS-10","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Small Scale Study","ProjectTitle":"Public Awareness, Perception and Attitudes towards DWWTSs in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Hynds","Institution":"OSN Engineering Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"21\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2014","Keywords":"Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems; Public awareness; Inspections; Health","ProjectAbstract":"The new EPA Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTSs) is being introduced in 2013. A key priority of the Plan is a public awareness campaign to promote best practice relating to the operation and maintenance of DWWTS. It is proposed that the early part of 2013 will focus on engagement strategies. Effective implementation of the Plan is reliant on the roll out of effective engagement strategies. Due to the large number of DWWTSs in Ireland and the relatively low number of inspections, it is critically important that the strategies inform the owners of DWWTSs of what they can do to properly operate and maintain their system as well as raising awareness relating to the seriousness of the possible health implications if their DWWTS isn't working. The objectives of the proposed small-scale study will be to: 1. To determine the effectiveness of the engagement strategies and public awareness campaign as part of the EPA National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTSs) 2. To gauge public awareness perception, attitudes towards and behavioural change attitude in relation to DWWTSs in Ireland. 3. To influence\/inform future strategies for behavioural change about the operation and maintenance of DWWTS.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17925","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17925","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":260,"ProjectCode":"2013-W-SS-11","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Small Scale Study","ProjectTitle":"Kingfisher and Dipper: indicators of good river quality","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Olivia Crowe","Institution":"BirdWatch Ireland","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"11\/03\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"11\/10\/2013","Keywords":"Waterways Birds; Kingfisher and Dipper; Distribution Survey; River condition","ProjectAbstract":"Extensive surveys of waterways birds were undertaken between 2006 and 2010. These surveys aimed to gather information on the distribution of waterways birds, and to evaluate the impacts of statutory arterial drainage maintenance activities on them. Through this work, BirdWatch Ireland has gained a substantial number (more than 300) of records of Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and Dipper Cinclus cinclus sightings during a combination of these surveys, and as part of a public survey of Kingfisher records that was undertaken in 2007 and received from members of the public. Additional records on Kingfisher nests were also gathered. Kingfisher and Dipper are the two key iconic riverine species in Ireland. They occupy very different habitats. Kingfisher occurs predominantly on the slow-moving low-lying rivers in Ireland, where it feeds on small fish (largely Minnows Phoxinus phoxinus) and invertebrates. It relies on clear water and rivers that support healthy fish (communities for foraging. Dipper occurs in the faster moving streams located further upland, and forages for invertebrates by diving into the oncoming flow of water from nearby boulders. Thus, the distribution of these species reflect the condition of Ireland's rivers, and also the suitability of rivers for other biodiversity.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17926","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17926","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":261,"ProjectCode":"2014-ET-CP-52","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Green Enterprise","ProjectTitle":"Agrichar : Reduction of pollutants and nutrient loss in slurry and silage in cattle farming","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Emer O'Siochru","Institution":"EOS Future Design","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"20\/01\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"20\/07\/2015","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17927","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17927","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":262,"ProjectCode":"2014-HW-DS-2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Scope, fate, risks and impacts of microplastic pollution in Irish freshwater systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Rick Officer","Institution":"Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"16\/02\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"15\/02\/2016","Keywords":"Desk study; Policy; Microplastics; Freshwater ecosystem; Risk assessment","ProjectAbstract":"This one year desk study will inform the development and implementation of policy through improved understanding of the environmental fate and risk posed by micro-plastics in Irish freshwater systems. Micro-plastic pollution of freshwater systems may arise from: (a) Discharge from wastewater treatment facilities; (b) Overflow of untreated wastewater during high rainfall events; and, (c) The use of sewage based fertiliser on agricultural or other land. Whilst the relative importance of these and other pathways remains unknown in Ireland, our extensive reliance on freshwater water courses to receive and transport waste waters suggests that prevalence of micro-plastics will be substantial in Irish freshwater ecosystems. Identification of potential sources and characteristics of micro-plastics in freshwater systems; together with an assessment of exposure, evaluation of biological effects and interactions with pollutants is needed to inform societal, regulatory and political discussions at national and European levels. Through characterisation of the scope, fate, and impact of micro-plastics in Irish lakes and rivers this project will allow Ireland to develop environmental policies and strategies that appropriately address the risks posed by this emerging pollutant. Project outputs will achieve two over-arching and complementary communication outcomes: 1. Contribution to policy development through analytical products and reports; and, 2. Publication in open access primary literature to ensure state of the art standards. This approach ensures the quality of outputs and will highlight the excellent work conducted in Ireland to a diverse audience, whilst also serving national needs. Specifically, the project reports will: - Evaluate the potential scale and scope of micro-plastic pollution in Ireland freshwater systems, - Providing a framework for assessing exposure, - Appraise the risks posed by identified potential impacts, and, - Provide policy recommendations.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17928","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17928","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":263,"ProjectCode":"2014-HW-DS-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Feasibility study assessing use of diatoms as bio-indicators and potential decontaminants of polymeric nanomaterials","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Peter Dockery","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/02\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2016","Keywords":"Polymeric nanomaterials; Degredation; Safety; Presence in water; Wastewater treatment plants","ProjectAbstract":"Polymeric nanomaterials (NMs) are increasingly being investigated for applications in biomedical science yet there is a paucity of information on the influence and fate of such materials, and their degradation products, on the environment. It is imperative that a defined strategy to evaluate the safety of such materials is created. This project proposes the use of diatoms as a tool to assess the presence of polymeric NMs in water, to evaluate water quality in wastewater treatment prior to discharge into natural water environments to ensure an absence of polymeric NMs, and to decontaminate waters of polymeric NM pollutants. It is envisaged that five high risk polymeric NMs relative to the Irish environment will be identified. Pilot data will be generated on both the potential use of diatoms as bio-indicators of the presence of NMs and as potential decontamination agents of NMs. This work will generate three articles for peer-reviewed journals.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17929","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17929","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":264,"ProjectCode":"2014-NC-MS-1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Valuing the significant ecosystem services provided by Irish coastal, marine and estuarine habitats","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Stephen Hynes","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"16\/02\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"16\/08\/2016","Keywords":"Ecosystem Service; Marine; Service Value; Benefit values; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of this project is the generation of monetary values for the significant ecosystem service benefits provided by Ireland's coastal, marine and estuarine environments. These ecosystem services occur at multiple scales, from climate regulation and carbon sequestration at the global scale to food provision, marine recreation opportunities and waste treatment at a local and regional scale. By categorising and mapping coastal, marine and estuarine ecosystems and linking them to reliable estimates of ecosystem service value flows, this project will assist decision makers with responsibility for marine and coastal zone management as they attempt to manage developments in a manner that maximizes the delivery of value to society while minimizing forgone market opportunities. The valuation of the identified ecosystem service benefits will be accomplished using secondary sources of information. Where values cannot be generated, descriptive details will be given on the possible ways by which the particular ecosystem service benefits society. Outputs will include a report on the benefit values associated with marine and coastal ecosystem services and a paper on the use of meta analysis for valuing recreational benefits. The values generated will provide policy-makers with information on ranking of ecosystem services (such as for example, whether the value associated with the recreational services provided in a bay are greater than the potential waste assimilation services values from the outflow of a proposed treatment plant). The results will also provide policy makers with information on spatial differences in the values of the identified marine ecosystem services around the coast.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17930","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17930","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":265,"ProjectCode":"2014-NC-MS-2","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A framework for the restoration of degraded peatlands","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"30\/03\/2018","Keywords":"Peat substrate; Degraded; Water Framework directive; Methodology; Restoration study","ProjectAbstract":"Approximately 20% of the landcover in Ireland is formed by peat substrate, ranging from raised bog complexes, peat extraction operations, upland blanket bogs and afforested areas. Though this is a significant landcover spread, most peatland habitats, even those considered intact, are not actively accumulating peat (< 3%). Peatlands that can be restored to active peat forming conditions are considered degraded. The Habitats Directive necessitates that degraded peatlands are restored to active ecosystems and the Water Framework Directive requires the protection of their supporting water-bodies. The primary objective of the proposed research is to develop a framework that outlines the methodology and actions to be undertaken when attempting to restore peatland ecosystems to active peat-forming conditions. Research will focus primarily on quantifying the hydrological conditions necessary to sustain the vegetation that permits peat formation and carbon sequestration. Using this information, together with ecological and greenhouse gas data, the restoration framework will evaluate the range of ecosystem services peatland typologies can provide, the hydrological mechanisms and thresholds providing those services and the impacts of pressures on ecosystem functioning. Prioritisation of potential sites for restoration will be based on evaluating the value of the potential ecosystem services and the engineering practicalities of remediation. A key outcome will be a Peatland Restoration Framework guideline document for policy makers on the ecosystem service criteria of peatlands, the techniques and instruments necessary for criteria measurement and the range of engineering restoration options for peatland typologies, including a cost-benefit feasibility analysis. A significant contribution will also be made to the EPA's national greenhouse gas inventory. By the close of the study period, a minimum of three articles will be submitted for peer-review on three key topics: (1) Ecosystem service provision; (2) Eco-hydrology-carbon dynamics; and (3) Peatland restoration.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17931","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17931","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":266,"ProjectCode":"2014-RE-DS-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Thermodynamic modelling of energy recovery options from digestate at waste water treatment plants","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Rory Monaghan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/03\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2016","Keywords":"Energy recovery; Wastewater treatmet; Anaerobic digestion; GHG; Reduce emissions","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed project will conduct thermodynamic modelling of the performance of thermochemical approaches to energy recovery from anaerobic digester (AD) digestate at municipal wastewater treatment (WWT) plants. These approaches include combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. This is a highly relevant subject area due to the necessity to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the municipal WWT sector. Due to storage, food safety and public perception issues with the use of sewage sludge in agriculture, there is also a need to reduce volumes of biosolids being landspread. Energy recovery and heat integration at municipal WWT plants can address these challenges. The objectives of the project are to (1) conduct reviews of AD digestate properties, energy requirements at municipal WWTs and technologies available, (2) create a physics-based model to quantify production of useful energy, valuable non-energy resources, air emissions and waste products, (3) use the model to compare thermodynamic performance of available technologies to each other and to the additional energy required for fertiliser production in order to determine the most feasible in Irish contexts, and (4) make recommendations on future research and demonstration priorities aimed at reducing energy demand and GHG emissions at municipal WWT plants. Outputs for the project are: (1) a final report to be submitted to the EPA for dissemination through the SAFER database, (2) 1 peer-reviewed journal paper in Biomass & Bioenergy or Applied Energy (both support Open Access), (3) 1 peer-reviewed international conference paper presentation, (4) all computer codes and models will be made available through the SAFER database, (5) posters at the 2015 NUIG Energy and UL-NUIG Research Day, and (6) a project website. The most suitable conferences for the presentation of this work are Energy & Water 2015 (Washington DC), and the EU Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition (Vienna).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17932","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17932","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":267,"ProjectCode":"2014-SE-DS-1","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Towards an Integrated Policy Framework for Marine Spatial Planning in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Conor Norton","Institution":"Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"02\/01\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"02\/10\/2015","Keywords":"Marine; Integrated Marine Governance; Fragmented policy; Policy guidance; Communication","ProjectAbstract":"Ireland's marine environment is facing significant and emerging issues which could impact dramatically on its fragile and unique ecosystem. The need to protect it, is an emerging issue both from a scientific and policy perspective. While a multitude of agents, activities and interests exist at sea, their impacts theraten, fragilise and deplete the marine ecosystem. The literature has extensively depicted the benefits of an integrated marine governance to help sustain and protect those ecosystems, as well as maintain Good Environmental Status of marine waters. Ireland is characterised by a fragmentated governance framework, which results from a highly layered legislation at International, European and national levels. This constitutes a significant threat to the Irish marine environment. With the Proposed Maritime Spatial Directive looming and potentially further adding to Ireland's complicated governance framework, there is an urgent need to research methods by which it could be implemented in Ireland, as well as to inform and advise policy and decision makers in the marine environment on how to prepare for an integrated marine governance. The main output of this research project is a set of recommendations for policy and plan makers in the marine sector in Ireland to advise on a possible governance framework for implementing MSP. To support this guidance and the minimum outputs expected by the EPA, strong communication and dissemination plans were prepared to include a variety of outputs namely: scoping report, case studies, articles for professional and peer-reviewed publications, a research blog, 2 breakfast briefings and an evening talk. The team will strive to broaden the horizon of the research by submitting a paper to an international peer-reviewed conference.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17933","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17933","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":268,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-15","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Project Based Awards","ProjectTitle":"Analysis and Modelling of the Hydrological Behaviour of Small Irish Catchments","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ahmed Nasr","Institution":"Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"14\/04\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"14\/04\/2015","Keywords":"Hdrodynamics; Water resource management; Water cycle; Catchment","ProjectAbstract":"This proposal addresses three main issues related to the hydrodynamics of small catchments in Ireland. Firstly, it will quantify, from measured data, the water balance dynamics to gain a comprehensive understanding of the temporal and spatial dynamics of key water balance components (e.g. rainfall, evaporation, stream flow, groundwater recharge). This in turn provides essential information needed for addressing the various challenges associated with water resources management such as managing river water abstraction, environmental flows, and the quantification of groundwater recharge. Secondly, the project will identify small-scale benchmark catchments for the purpose of long term monitoring (i) to allow studying the impacts of future climate changes on the water resources of these catchments, and (ii) to act as study catchments demonstrating the dynamics of typical small scale catchments in Ireland. Thirdly, the feasibility of up-scaling the knowledge gained about detailed hydrological processes from small scale catchments to large scale catchments will be assessed. Such assessment is vitally important to govern the transfer of information between scales, either by up-scaling from small scale catchments to large scale catchments or vice versa, particularly when considering the variety of catchment sizes and considerable heterogeneity in catchment characteristics in Ireland.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17934","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17934","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":269,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-16","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Optimal design and operation of small-scale wastewater treatment plants: the Irish case","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Lorna Fitzsimons","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2016","Keywords":"Desk study; Wastewater treatment plants; Lifecycle model; Decision support toolkit; Resource efficiency","ProjectAbstract":"The focus of this proposed research (year-long, desk study) is small-scale, Irish Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). One important output will be the development of whole life-cycle models and a decision support toolkit for WWTP stakeholders that ultimately places the environment at the centre of decision making. Building on existing research (2012-W-MS-10), which focuses on benchmarking the resource efficiency of WWTP, the objectives of this study are: 1) Conduct and collate detailed research into the state-of-the-art of sustainable, holistic, low energy, solutions for the wastewater treatment industry, including the specific technologies that address the challenges of indigenous, smaller wastewater treatment plants. 2) Based on the state-of-the-art and current, ongoing research, assess operational efficiency and effectiveness opportunities and solutions for existing plants. 3) Assess the solutions (novel design technologies and novel solutions for existing plants) from the Irish perspective (size and spatial distribution of plants, climate and seasonal fluctuations, legacy under-investment, influent variations etc.). 4) Based on these findings, develop life-cycle models for pilot testing and demonstration. 5) Develop toolkit for model selection, implementation, life-cycle costing and environmental impact.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17935","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17935","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":270,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-17","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Flood Warning technologies for Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Bruen","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2016","Keywords":"Flood warning systems; Stakeholders; Existing systems; Radar; Numerical Weather Forecasting","ProjectAbstract":"This project will review the state of the art in the components of flood warnings systems. It will determine the stakeholders requirements for such systems in Ireland and will examine the performance of existing systems. It will assess the potential performance of radar, Numerical Weather Forecasting as potential technologies and will determine the situations in which they provide most benefit. It will compare and assess hydrological and hydraulic models used in forecasting water levels and flows in real time and recommend appropriate choices. It will demonstrate the performance of software components described above. It has secured the agreement of Met Eireann to assist with the latter by providing re-analysis high resolution numerical weather predictions of historic flood events to assis the ability of such forecasts to provide useful warnings.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17936","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17936","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":271,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-18","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Investigation of the implications for Ireland of emerging standards on pharmaceuticals in receiving waters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Neil J. Rowan","Institution":"Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"23\/02\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"23\/02\/2016","Keywords":"Micropollutants; Pharmaceutically Active Chemicals (PhACs); Water Framework Directive; Aquatic environment; Wastewater treatment plant","ProjectAbstract":"There has been growing EU concern about the release of emerging micropollutants and untreated pharmaceutically active chemicals (PhACs) into the aquatic environment, particularly at waste water treatment (WWTP) plant level. 33 pharmaceutically active chemicals (PhACs) have been listed as priority hazardous substances for removal under the WFD (2000\/60\/EC) due to their risk to human and animal health and the aquatic environment. In order to understand the implications of the potential addition of 17-beta-estradiol (E2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and diclofenac in further reviews of the EU priority list, a baseline study is required for Ireland. The proposed study will focus on identification of the sources and prevalence of these \"watch list\" PhACs within the context of Irish water. Based on a thorough literature review and engagement with stakeholders (including but not limited to WWTPs, pharmaceutical companies, Irish Water, Health Service Executive), a preliminary risk assessment of the sources and loadings of these PhACs in Ireland will be performed. Geographic Information System (GIS) and conceptual modelling will be employed to identify potential pollution \"hotspots\" and to develop appropriate indicators. Current and emerging treatment options and control measures will also be investigated.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17937","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17937","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":272,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-19","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Technologies for monitoring, detecting and treating overflows from urban wastewater networks","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Liwen Xiao","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"29\/02\/2016","Keywords":"Sewage; Contaminants; Public health; Combined Sewage Overflow; Characterising and treatment","ProjectAbstract":"As CSO discharges contain raw sewage and a range of dissolved and particulate contaminants including heavy metals, PAHs, oils &grease, along with large volumes of storm water, they can create significant public health and water quality concerns. It has been recognised as a potential cause of receiving water impairments, and contributed to beach closures, shellfish bed closures, contamination of drinking water supplies, and other environmental and public health concerns worldwide. In early August 2014, 12 beaches in Dublin were closed due to health concerns over water pollution by CSOs discharges. Therefore, in order to protect water bodies in Ireland, characterising and treatment of the CSO discharges are urgently needed. However, there is lack of detailed information about CSO discharges, and comprehensive research carried out to assess the risk of CSO discharges on receiving water quality is scarce in Ireland. In this proposed project, technologies for monitoring, detecting and treating CSO discharges will be reviewed and assessed in Irish context, and a decision support tool for determining the level of monitoring required of a CSO will also be developed.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17938","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17938","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":273,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-20","ProjectAcronym":"TIMe","ProjectTitle":"Towards Integrated Water Management (TIMe)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Alec Rolston","Institution":"Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"09\/02\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"08\/02\/2016","Keywords":"Water management; Integrated approach; Sustainability; Engage local communities; Bottom-up","ProjectAbstract":"An integrated approach in water management is required between different sectors to achieve future actions on water and sustainable development. This Towards Integrated Water Management (TIMe) Project aims to connect science, policy, managers and local communities for the integrated management of Ireland's water resources to deliver improvements in environmental status, water quality and water management. TIMe will analyse sound, robust international methodologies and assess their potential application in Ireland. TIMe will examine solutions to promote Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in Ireland with a particular focus on \"bottom-up\" approaches that can lead to more engaged and motivated local communities with regards to water management. This will be achieved through (1) literature reviews of current best practice in both IWRM and community engagement (CE); (2) Undertaking cost-benefit analysis of current best practice methods; (3) Assessing current water managers and local communities' understanding and opinion on IWRM; (4) Assessing the feasibility of current best practice source protection planning at the larger catchment scale; and (5) Delivering a Best Practice IWRM workshop. Project recommendations will focus on CE and on-ground delivery of IWRM to motivate communities to become actively involved in local water management ultimately benefiting IWRM at the national level.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17939","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17939","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":274,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-21","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of an ecohydrology framework for setting environmental flow standards for Irish rivers","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ian Donohue","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"12\/01\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"12\/10\/2015","Keywords":"Environmental flows; Hydromorphology; Methodology; Rivers; Water pathway","ProjectAbstract":"Environmental flows (EFlows) are a component of hydromorphology assessed under the WFD as supporting elements of riverine ecological status. They represent the timing, quantity and quality of water flows required to sustain the functioning and integrity of freshwater ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide. Analysis of long-term flow records is required to define flow regimes, which are influenced by river typology and surface\/sub-surface water pathways. The overarching goal of this project is to review state of the art EFlow methodology to identify alternatives most suited to the Irish context and for developing flow standards. Alternative approaches for estimating EFlows will be applied to hydrometric flow data from a number of rivers in contrasting catchments representing different water pathway configurations. Feedback from a stakeholder workshop will be used to identify 1-2 optimal approaches to apply to a broader array of river types and catchments. The availability of ecological and water chemistry data will be assessed, and, where possible, related to flow regime to develop relationships for setting flow standards. Data gaps and needs will be identified. Final recommendations will identify an integrated landscape framework for setting EFlow standards that maintain ecological status and ecosystem service provision of Irish rivers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17940","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17940","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":275,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-22","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Identification and evaluation of phosphorus recovery technologies in an Irish context","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gary Walsh ","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"23\/03\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"22\/03\/2016","Keywords":"Phosphorus recovery; Recycling; Waste streams; Demand","ProjectAbstract":"The overall goal of the project is to identify and evaluate current & developing phosphorus recovery\/recycling technologies with a view to assessing the viability of, and supporting the adoption of, the most appropriate technologies in an Irish context. Specific project objectives are: (1) To identify the major sites within Ireland responsible for generating\/processing\/treating significant quantities of waste phosphorus and, in the case of a representative sample of the top sites: (2) Identification of the typical composition of their phosphorus-containing waste streams, quantitative annual output and any current processing\/recycling technologies applied on site. (3) Identification and comparative technical\/commercial evaluation of established and emerging global phosphorus recovery\/recycling methodologies. (4) Identification of current global demand for phosphorus by sector\/industry, and the technical specification & pricing structure of the phosphorus raw material required in each sector. (5) Based upon the findings of the work packages investigating project objectives 1-4 above, to draw evidence-based conclusions as to which subset of recovery\/recycling technologies would be best suited to which Irish facility type. (6) To disseminate the information generated amongst international and in particular national stakeholders.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17941","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17941","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":276,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-DS-23","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Delivering Integrated Water Management through the bottom-up approach: A critical analysis","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bryan Riney","Institution":"Integrated Resource Development Duhallow Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"05\/01\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"04\/01\/2016","Keywords":"Integrated Catchment Management (ICM); International strategies; Potential for Ireland; Water Framework Directive","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed research will examine Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) best practice in Ireland and internationally. Particular focus will be on partnership approach of the INTERREG IVC project TRAP (Territories of River Action Plans) and IRD DuhallowLIFE+ which provided an integrated catchment management approach to the River Allow catchment in North Cork. International research and experience of ICM will be identified and their potential application to the Irish context will be examined. Effective methods to motivate a community to be more involved in water management will be identified with practical experience being cited. The research will also examine how ICM can improve the interface between the land use planning system, water services delivery and WFD implementation. In this context, international examples such as the UK's 'Upstream thinking' will be examined. The research will analyse the potential ecological, social and economic benefits and cost savings of the bottom-up approach and community involvement in water management. An output will be to ascertain how ICM can be integrated into the preparation of land use local plans to resolve water quality issues while also improving local environments, public amenity and increasing biodiversity.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17942","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17942","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":277,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-LS-5","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Incorporation of Ecosystem Services values in the Integrated Management of Irish Freshwater Resources - ESManage","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary Kelly-Quinn","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2018","Keywords":"Ecosystem Services; Policy; Water Framework Directive; Freshwater; Biological data","ProjectAbstract":"The objective of this project is to harness the knowledge and tools required to embed an appreciation of ecosystem services and the ecosystems services approach into policy and decision-making for sustainable management of water resources, as required by the Water Framework Directive. The project objectives will be achieved through a synthesis of existing and new information from the physical\/biological sciences and economics. This will be supported by consultation with key stakeholders. A thorough review of the literature related to the ecosystem services concept and synthesis of available information on Irish freshwaters will be compiled. Existing and new biological data will be analysed to investigate responses (thresholds, resistance) to stressors\/drivers and links to ecosystem services. Scenario analysis will show how delivery of ecosystem services may be affected by changes in drivers. The results of the scenario analysis will be used to inform the economic valuation of future changes to the provision of key aquatic ecosystem services in Irish rivers. Finally, the output from the valuation will be used to develop a policy brief with recommendation on how the research findings (and more generally the ecosystem services approach) can best be embedded into policy and decision-making related to management of water resources.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17943","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17943","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":278,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-LS-6","ProjectAcronym":"CONTROL","ProjectTitle":"Cattle Exclusion from Watercourses: Environmental and socio-economic implications (Acroynm CONTROL)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":null,"Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"05\/01\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"05\/09\/2018","Keywords":"Grassland; Nutrient loading; Water bodies; Water Framework Directive; Cattle exclusion measure","ProjectAbstract":"Loss of nutrients from grassland systems to waterbodies is a significant threat to water quality and represents one of the main environmental problems facing agri-ecosystems in Ireland. The EU Water Framework Directive requires Member States to achieve or maintain at least 'good' ecological and chemical status in all waters by 2015. Measures proposed under the Green Low carbon Agri-environment Scheme include preventing bovine access to watercourses to improve water quality. Studies suggest that unrestricted cattle access to watercourses can result in deteriorating water quality, however conflicting studies indicate that cattle do not have a significant effect on stream water quality. This project will assess the environmental, ecological and socio-economic impact of cattle exclusion measures on freshwater ecosystems. The project will evaluate existing literature and generate temporal and spatial data on the environmental impact of cattle exclusion measures. The cost-effectiveness of proposed and potential mitigation measures will be assessed through research and expert opinion, along with attitudinal responses of land-owners to the implementation of proposed and potential measures. The project will provide important information for policymakers in relation to the Nitrates and Water Framework Directives. It will also help guide agri-environmental policy and facilitate sustainable intensification objectives under Food Harvest 2020.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17944","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17944","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":279,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-LS-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Phosphorus from wastewater: Novel technologies for advanced treatment and re-use","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John McGrath","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2018","Keywords":"Phosphorus; Food production; Critical Raw Material; Discharge aquatice environment; Eutrophication","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17945","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17945","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":280,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-MS-16\n","ProjectAcronym":"StARE","ProjectTitle":"Stopping Antibiotic Resistance Evolution in the Environment \n","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Walsh (IE)","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Water JPI","ProjectStartDate":"15\/12\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"15\/12\/2017","Keywords":"Antibiotic resistance bacteria and resistance genes (ARB&G); Urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs); Aquatic environments; Human health","ProjectAbstract":"According to WHO, antibiotic resistance is a global threat for human health, driven by many interconnected factors, where water plays a key role. Urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs) are major sources of antibiotic residues, resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARG) into the environment and, therefore, represent crucial control points for efficient technological intervention. Though ARB&G are well characterized clinically, their occurrence in aquatic environments, relation to the regional use of antibiotics, or temporal\/geographical variations are poorly understood. StARE will investigate a high number of European UWTPs to evaluate ARB&G abundance versus chemical contamination and regional backgrounds. Guidelines for ARB&G monitoring in water will be developed. The efficiency, impact and cost-effectiveness of advanced wastewater technologies will be evaluated, based on an innovative biological risk control strategy. The multidisciplinary StARE team is based on a previous European collaboration supported by the COST Action TD0803. The Action delegates identified the major gaps in knowledge and the measures necessary to limit the spread of ARB&G. The objectives of StARE will fill these gaps, contributing to preventing the contamination of the environment and the food chain and supporting the revision of EU water directives, aimed at maintaining ecosystem services and public health protection. The findings of this research will be communicated through different channels and using messages with different levels of complexity to the general public and stakeholders. We expect to publish several peer-reviewed publications on the different topics within this proposal. We will develop testing guidelines and collate the final results and information into a report. These will be of particular interest to national and EU water policy makers. The international nature of this research collaboration will ensure that Irish researchers are at the forefront of water research. This will enable us to apply for and leverage EU funding, e.g. Horizon 2020.\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17946","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17946","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":281,"ProjectCode":null,"ProjectAcronym":"TRACE","ProjectTitle":"Tracking & assessing the Risk from Antibiotic Resistant genes using Chip technology in surface water\n","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"\nEnda Cummins (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Water JPI","ProjectStartDate":"02\/01\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2018","Keywords":"Human Health; Antimicrobial Resistant Organisms (ARO); Surface water; Spread; Risk reduction","ProjectAbstract":"Given the serious public health threat posed by Antimicrobial Resistant Organisms (ARO), it is important to investigate the potential role of surface water in amplifying the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and to assess the potential risk to human health. Research into the occurrence, fate, effect, and risk associated with the presence of ARO in such environments and the impact on human health is urgently needed to inform policy decisions. Work Package 6 will develop a probabilistic modelling approach to evaluate the human health risk from ARO in surface water. This WP will development a model to estimate the probability of occurrence and level of ARO in selected surface water systems. Risk analysis software (e.g. @Risk) will be used to characterise model input uncertainty and variability, while using Monte Carlo Simulation techniques to generate probability density distributions of relevant outputs (i.e. human exposure estimates). The model will focus on selected locations and selected ARO as identified during the project and estimate the probability of human exposure to ARO through recreational water and environmental exposure routes (e.g. irrigation). The model will be used to conduct sensitivity and scenario analysis to identify target areas for risk reduction activities along the continuum. This WP will result in the production of one PhD thesis, at least three peer reviewed papers, and several conference presentations. It will increase capacity and strengthen links between the institutions involved, and inform policy related to the management of Antibiotic Resistance Organisms (ARO) in water systems. The results will inform recommendations to sanitary and\/or regulatory authorities on potential intervention strategies to reduce human exposure to ARO. It will help prediction of the environmental behaviour of ARO in surface water, assess the processes encountered and the transfer of these contaminants between various environmental compartments (e.g. from beach water to human exposure).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17947","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17947","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":282,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-MS-18","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Investigation into the causes, impacts and measures to deal with algal blooms in Vartry Reservoirs","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Liwen Xiao","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2018","Keywords":"Drinkink water; Vartry resevoir; Diatom algal blooms; Sand filters; Water shortage","ProjectAbstract":"Vartry Reservoir is an important drinking water source in Ireland. Diatom algal blooms have caused problems in the sand filters in the Roundwood water treatment plant since 2007 (except 2010). In 2013 and 2014, the situation worsened and serious spring diatom algal blooms occurred, with peak concentrations of diatom algal up to 1750 and 2457 counts\/ml, respectively, resulting in serious clogging of the slow sand filters and a reduction in treatment capacity from 75 million litres to 40 million litres per day and consequently water shortages in the North Wicklow and South Dublin area two years in a row. In addition, diatom algal blooms might also contribute to the high THMs in the Vartry Water Supply Scheme. Therefore, the aim of the proposed study is to investigate the cause of the diatom algal blooms in Vartry Reservoir and to identify potential measures to deal with the impact of algal blooms in Roundwood water treatment plants. This proposed project is important not only for the Vartry Water Supply Scheme but also for water supplies nationwide, as more than 70 mesotrophic lakes are used as water supply sources in Ireland.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17948","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17948","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":283,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-SS-12","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Small Scale Study","ProjectTitle":"Mapping Research Excellence\/Capacity\/Experience at national and EU level","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Bolger","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"17\/02\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"17\/06\/2014","Keywords":"Water research; National and International; European funding; Horizon 2020","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this proposed project is to identify the major researchers\/research centres private and public in the Water research, Development and Innovation Area not only in Ireland but also at EU levels. By reviewing current water research activities in Ireland as well as EU funded projects under FP6, FP7 and other relevant initiatives (ERAnets, COST actions, EURAQUA, WssTP, etc); a \"map\" of the Water research capacity and expertise in Ireland and Europe could be compiled. This would be of great benefit to researchers aiming at successfully participating in EU-funded projects under Horison2020, Water JPI, etc. and will facilitate the entry of new participants in Horizon 2020 as well as enhance the networking capacity of Irish researchers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17949","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17949","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":284,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-SS-13","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Small Scale Study","ProjectTitle":"Application of a GIS based decision support tool for DWWTSs from a WFD POM perspective","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Donata Dubber","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2014","Keywords":"Waste Water treatment; Soil; Geographical Information System; Sustainability","ProjectAbstract":"A previous EPA-STRIVE funded research project investigated and proposed alternative wastewater treatment and disposal options for rural housing in areas of low subsoil permeability. In this connection a web based GIS (Geographic Information Systems) decision support tool (DST) has been developed for Environmental planners and managers to evaluate these alternative strategies on the basis of both cost-benefit and environmental sustainability principles. The proposed research study will now demonstrate how this tool can be used in order to inform the Water Framework Directive (WFD) programme of measures (POM). Using the DST together with additional local data a remediation strategy\/programme of measures for domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTSs) will be established for two case study catchments that are located in areas of low subsoil permeability with water quality being at risk of failing WFD objectives. The tool will not only be used to identify possible alternative treatment solutions but will further help to assess various strategies and management scenarios for their cost-effectiveness in achieving the WFD objectives.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17950","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17950","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":285,"ProjectCode":"2014-W-SS-3","ProjectAcronym":"STRIVE - Small Scale Study","ProjectTitle":"A comparative study of sediment heavy metals in rivers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary Kelly-Quinn","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"31\/08\/2014","Keywords":"International student; Sediment; Heavy metal; Rivers","ProjectAbstract":"The study will support the visitation of a graduate student from the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to University College Dublin to undertake analyses of heavy metals in sediment and plant materials from rivers in Addis Ababa as well as sediment collected from the Avoca River, Co. Wicklow. Additional recent heavy metal data will be provided from mining areas in Ireland. The project will provide an opportunity to examine heavy metal contamination in Irish waters, in particular sediment, in the context of the unregulated discharge of pollutants seen in Ethiopia and to consider threshold values.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17951","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17951","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":286,"ProjectCode":"CCRP08Proj-1.1A","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Biopolymer production from Irish Dairy Industry Wastewaters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Niall O' Leary","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2011","Keywords":"Dairy Industry; Wastewater treatment; Biodegradable; Biofuel","ProjectAbstract":"The project aims to investigate the biotechnological potential for conversion of dairy food industry wastewater into poly-hydroxyalkanoates, (PHAs), in a mixed microbial reactor system. PHAs are bacterial polyesters which display thermoplastic properties making them suitable for the replacement of traditional plastics. However, these compounds also demonstrate complete biodegradability upon disposal in the environment, offering sustainable alternatives to petrochemical plastics. Industrial PHA production to date has focussed on pure culture fermentations requiring costly, refined substrates such that many PHA end products are not commercially competitive with existing plastics. Open, mixed culture systems offer a cost efficient alternative approach to PHA synthesis, and the potential use of domestic, commercial or industrial waste streams enhances this opportunity. Previous work by the applicants combined PHA accumulation with inorganic nutrient remediation from simulated dairy processing wastewater in one such sequencing batch reactor system. We currently seek to expand the work through the application of dynamic feeding strategies to optimise PHA output and in addition to assess the potential biofuel capabilities of the polyesters generated. Comprehensive life cycle analyses using allocations of net energy balance, GHG emission offsets and economic drivers will also be carried out to assess the longer term viability of such an approach. The applicants expect that 2-3 high quality peer review, international journal publications will be generated by this work as the technology proposed represents a forefront research application in the area of sustainable waste management. Reporting through the Funding agency will also facilitate a raised awareness among policy makers of the opportunites for reclassification of waste streams as potential feedstocks for the production of eco-friendly materials, and carbon recycling. Finally the outputs of this study will offer forward thinking, sustainable solutions\/capacities to better manage the increased dairy activity anticipated post abolition of the EU milk quotas in 2015.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17952","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17952","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":287,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2007.1.2.3.1","ProjectAcronym":"ERA-ENVHEALTH","ProjectTitle":"Coordination of national environment and health research programmes - Environment and health ERA-NET","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Sandra Kavanagh (IE)","Institution":"Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"02\/09\/2012","Keywords":"Industrial pollution; Disease; Environment and Health Research; Collaboration","ProjectAbstract":"It is estimated that around 20% of the burden of disease in industrialized countries can be attributed to environmental factors, and the magnitude of the problem is perceived by the majority of Europeans. The assessment of health impacts is based mostly on scarce exposure data and limited information on the relationship between exposure and health. There is, therefore, a need to strengthen research in this area and to develop methods and tools which will improve the comparability of data. Member States have developed skills and expertise using different mechanisms to fund environment and health research. The scientific boundaries created by the remits of different funding organisations have frequently acted as a disincentive to collaborative working. Although aims are towards relevance and efficiency, the results remain dispersed and not of actual support for policy-making. Therefore, results of the studies in ERA-ENVHEALTH will lead to the project of a coherent set of proposed priorities, implementation of joint activities, and common calls. ERA-ENVHEALTH, by bringing together 16 participants from 10 countries, will contribute to establish collaboration among the different funding organisations of environmental and public health research communities.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.era-envhealth.eu","InternalProjectID":"17953","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17953","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":288,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2007.2.2.1.2","ProjectAcronym":"EELIAD","ProjectTitle":"European Eels in the Atlantic: Assessment of Their Decline","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paddy Gargan (IE), Paddy Russell (IE)","Institution":"Inland Fisheries Board; Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2012","Keywords":"European eels; Marine Migrations; Reproductive and migration success; Management","ProjectAbstract":"The EELIAD project is a research initiative to investigate the ecology and biology of European eels during their marine migrations, and how these relate to eel condition and population of origin. The information will be integrated into models to determine the most important factors that influence silver eel production and migration success. The fulfilment of this objective will provide a means to evaluate the likely success of the EU Eel Recovery Plan, to enable management actions to be most effectively directed to enhance and conserve eel stocks across Europe, and to determine the dynamics of eel population structure and reproductive success. To achieve this aim, the EELIAD project is undertaking a large-scale field programme to determine the migration routes and behaviour of silver eels during their spawning migration, and to determine ecological factors that influence the number and quality of silver eels leaving river catchments. These field studies will be supported by the use of cutting edge biotechnological analyses to determine population structure, and innovative modelling approaches that will incorporate these data into fishery management models. In addition, these different studies will be linked to studies and observations undertaken in other cooperative projects such as INDICANG which is a network of monitoring programmes that report on the status and the development of eel populations over a large area (e.g. Atlantic Area). The knowledge gained from the EELIAD research, aside from its scientific significance, will be of direct use to the conservation of eel stocks because it will help to clarify the reasons for the recent decline in the stock. This information will then be used to change and improve the way that eel fisheries and habitats are managed across Europe, and to help ensure that enough silver eels migrate to their spawning grounds to reproduce and sustain the species.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.eeliad.com\/","InternalProjectID":"17954","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17954","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":289,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2007.2.2.1.2.","ProjectAcronym":"SALSEA-Merge","ProjectTitle":"Advancing understanding of Atlantic Salmon at Sea: Merging Genetics and Ecology to resolve Stock-specific Migration and Distribution patterns","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ken Whelan (IE), Tom Cross (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute; University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2011","Keywords":"North Atlantic Salmon; Population decline; Causes; Conservation","ProjectAbstract":"Over the past two decades, an increasing proportion of North Atlantic salmon are dying at sea during their oceanic feeding migration. The specific reasons for the decline in this important species are as yet unknown. However, climate change is likely to be an important factor. In some rivers in the southern part of the salmon's range, wild salmon now face extinction. This is in spite of unprecedented management measures to halt this decline. Arguably the greatest challenge in salmon conservation is to gain insight into the spatial and ecological use of the marine environment by different regional and river stocks, which are known to show variation in marine growth, condition, and survival. Salmon populations may migrate to different marine zones, whose environmental conditions may vary. To date it has been impossible to sample and identify the origin of sufficient numbers of wild salmon at sea to enable this vital question to be addressed. SALSEA-Merge will provide the basis for advancing our understanding of oceanic-scale, ecological and ecosystem processes. Such knowledge is fundamental to the future sustainable management of this key marine species.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.nasco.int\/sas\/salseamerge.htm","InternalProjectID":"17955","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17955","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":290,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2007.2.2.1.3","ProjectAcronym":"CoralFISH","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of the interaction between corals, fish and fisheries, in order to develop monitoring and predictive modelling tools for ecosystem based management in the deep waters of Europe and beyond","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":null,"Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2012","Keywords":"Interaction; Ecosystem management; Bottom fishing; Conservation","ProjectAbstract":"CoralFISH will assess the interaction between corals, fish and fisheries, in order to develop monitoring and predictive modelling tools for ecosystem based management in the deep waters of Europe and beyond. In 2006, the UN General Assembly Resolution (61\/105) called upon fisheries management organisations worldwide to: i) Assess the impact of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems; ii) Identify\/map vulnerable ecosystems through improved scientific research\/data collection; iii) Close such areas to bottom fishing unless conservation and management measures were established to prevent their degradation. In European deep waters there is also a need to establish monitoring tools to evaluate the effectiveness of closed areas for the conservation of biodiversity and fish and their impact on fisheries. Two FP6 projects (PROTECT & HERMES) have already identified the need for information concerning the interaction between fish and cold water coral habitats. CoralFISH brings together a unique consortium of deep-sea fisheries biologists, ecosystem researchers\/modellers, economists and a fishing industry SME, who will collaborate to collect data from key European marine eco-regions. The consortium numbers 16 partners from 10 countries.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/eu-fp7-coralfish.net\/","InternalProjectID":"17956","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17956","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":291,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2007.3.3.1.1","ProjectAcronym":"MIDTAL","ProjectTitle":"Microarrays for the Detection of Toxic Algae","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Robin Raine (IE), Gary McCoy (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2012","Keywords":"Microalgae; Algal Blooms; Human health; Species Identification","ProjectAbstract":"Microalgae in marine and brackish waters of Europe regularly cause 'harmful effects', considered from the human perspective, in that they threaten public health and cause economic damage to fisheries and tourism. Cyanobacteria cause similar problems in freshwaters. These episodes encompass a broad range of phenomena collectively referred to as 'harmful algal blooms' (HABs). They include discoloration of waters by mass occurrences of microalgae (true algal blooms that may or may not be 'harmful') to toxin-producing species that may be harmful even in low cell concentrations. A broad classification of HAB distinguishes three groups of organisms: 1) the toxin producers, which even with low biomass can contaminate seafood, causing sickness and death in humans eating the seafood, or sickness and death in the shellfish and fin-fish themselves; 2) the high-biomass toxin producers (cyanobacteria), which can have similar harmful effects; and 3) the high-biomass bloom species, which can cause either anoxia that indiscriminately kills off marine life, or unpleasant foam or gelatinous masses that are a nuisance for tourists who may develop allergic skin reactions after bathing. MIDTAL will target rapid species identification using rRNA genes as the target. rRNA genes include regions that are so variable that they are species or even strain specific. These regions can be targeted for probe design to recognize species or even strains. We are also including antibody reactions to specific toxins produced by these microalgae because even when cell numbers are very low, the toxins can be present and can be accumulated in the shellfish. Microarrays are the state of the art technology in molecular biology for the processing of bulk samples for detection of target RNA\/DNA sequences. Existing rRNA probes and antibodies for toxic algal species\/strains and their toxins will be adapted and optimized for microarray use to strengthened the EU`s ability to monitor for toxic algae. The purpose of MIDTAL is to support the common fisheries policy to aid the national monitoring agencies by providing new rapid tools for the identification of toxic algae and their toxins so that they can comply with ECC directive 91\/1491\/CEE that can be converted to cell numbers and reduce the need for the mouse bioassay.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.midtal.com","InternalProjectID":"17957","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17957","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":292,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2008.2.1.2.3.","ProjectAcronym":"WISER","ProjectTitle":"Water bodies in Europe: Integrative Systems to assess Ecological status and Recovery","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kenneth Irvine (IE)","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2012","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Assessment; Surface waters; Categorise","ProjectAbstract":"WISER will support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) by developing tools for the integrated assessment of the ecological status of European surface waters. The project will analyse existing data from more than 90 databases compiled in previous and ongoing projects, covering all water categories, organism groups and environmental stressor types. Field-sampling campaigns will supplement the data on lakes and coastal systems. The data will be used to test and complement existing assessment schemes with a focus on uncertainty. Biological recovery processes after release from hydromorphological and eutrophication will be analysed. Therefore, large-scale data will help to identify linkages between pressure variables and organism's responses. Selected case studies, using a variety of modelling techniques, will address pressure-response relationships and evaluate the efficacy of restoration. WISER will provide guidance for the next steps of the intercalibration exercise by comparing different intercalibration approaches.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.wiser.eu\/","InternalProjectID":"17958","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17958","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":293,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2008.2.2.1.1","ProjectAcronym":"MESMA","ProjectTitle":"Monitoring and Evaluation of Spatially Managed Areas (MESMA)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gerry Sutton (IE)","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/11\/2013","Keywords":"Integrated Management Tools; European collaboration; Spacially Managed Marine Areas; Sustainability","ProjectAbstract":"The EU FP7 project MESMA focuses on marine spatial planning and aims to produce integrated management tools (concepts, models and guidelines) for Monitoring, Evaluation and implementation of Spatially Managed marine Areas, based on European collaboration. MESMA is expected to supply innovative methods and integrated strategies for governments, local authorities, stakeholders, and other managerial bodies for planning and decision making at different local, national, and European scales, for sustainable development of European seas. MESMA, in consultation with stakeholders, will develop integrated management tools (a generic framework, guidelines, data systems and models) for monitoring, evaluating Spatially Managed Areas (SMAs). The main tasks of MESMA are information analysis, the development of a generic framework, the testing and evaluation of this framework through case-studies and the development of management tools that contribute to the sustainable use of European seas.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.mesma.org\/","InternalProjectID":"17959","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17959","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":294,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2008.2.2.1.2","ProjectAcronym":"HERMIONE","ProjectTitle":"Hotspot Ecosystem Research and Man's Impact on European seas","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Anthony Grehan (IE), Andy Wheeler (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2012","Keywords":"Deep-sea Ecosystems; Goods and Services; Climate change; Public awareness","ProjectAbstract":"The HERMIONE (Hotspot Ecosystem Research and Man's Impact on European Seas) project is a Collaborative Project funded under the European Commission's Framework 7 programme. HERMIONE is the successor to the highly successful HERMES project, which finished in March 2009. It is designed to make a major advance in our knowledge of the functioning of deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to the production of goods and services. This will be achieved through a highly interdisciplinary approach (including biologists, ecologists, microbiologists, biogeochemists, sedimentologists, physical oceanographers, modelers and socio-economists) that will integrate biodiversity, specific adaptions and biological capacity in the context of a wide range of highly vulnerable deep-sea habitats. Gaining this understanding is crucial, because these ecosystems are now being affected by climate change and impacted by man through fishing, resource extraction, seabed installations and pollution. To design and implement effective governance strategies and management plans we must understand the extent, natural dynamics and interconnection of ocean ecosystems and integrate socio-economic research with natural science. HERMIONE study sites include the Arctic, North Atlantic and Mediterranean and cover a range of ecosystems including cold-water corals, canyons, cold and hot seeps, seamounts and open slopes and deep basins. The project will make strong connections between deep-sea science and user needs. HERMIONE will enhance the education and public perception of the deep-ocean issues through some of the major European aquaria. A major aim of the project is to create a platform for discussion between a range of stakeholders, and contribute to EU environmental policies.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.eu-hermione.net\/","InternalProjectID":"17960","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17960","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":295,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2008.2.2.1.3","ProjectAcronym":"KnowSeas","ProjectTitle":"Knowledge-based Sustainable Management for Europe's Seas","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jeremy Gault (IE), Marcus Collier (IE),","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2012","Keywords":"Anthropogenic pressure; Marine environment; Policy Implementation; Management","ProjectAbstract":"Europe's four regional seas (Baltic, Black, Mediterranean and NE Atlantic) have suffered severe environmental degradation due to human pressure. Existing measures to manage pressures have proven inadequate and the EU Member States have recently responded by adopting a new policy (Blue Book for Maritime Policy) and environmental legislation (Marine Strategy Framework Directive). These instruments rely on the Ecosystem Approach, a management paradigm that encompasses humans and the supporting ecosystem. But the science base for this approach needs strengthening and practical tools must be developed and tested for policy implementation. In particular, criteria for assessing costs and benefits of management actions are poorly developed in the complex marine environment where multiple uses and management conflicts are common. There is a strong need for a \"joined up\" systems approach between natural and social science that delivers the knowledge base to support management for sustainable seas. The overall objective of the project is to provide a comprehensive scientific knowledge base and practical guidance for the application of the Ecosystem Approach to the sustainable development of Europe's regional seas. This will increase the evidence base available for decision makers and facilitate the practical implementation of the Ecosystem Approach, currently seen by some stakeholders as confusing and nebulous. It will be delivered through a series of specific sub-objectives that lead to a scientifically based suite of tools to assist policy makers and regulators with the practical application of the Ecosystem Approach. It is also expected to deliver high quality scientific outputs that advance our understanding of coupled social and ecological systems.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.knowseas.com\/","InternalProjectID":"17961","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17961","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":296,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2008.5.1.0.1","ProjectAcronym":"ComEnvir","ProjectTitle":"Communicating environmental impacts on water quality, availability and use","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":null,"Institution":"Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2013","Keywords":"Environmental Research; European citizens; Water quality; Communication","ProjectAbstract":"The ComEnvir project aims to narrow the gap between EU sponsored environmental research and European citizens. Water (resources, quality, pollution and biodiversity issues) has been chosen as a common theme to be addressed by the project. It will cover environmental stressors, waste treatment, health effects, biodiversity, risks and therefore the role of water quality in its different environmental locations (fresh water, marine, soil, air). The project will last 48 months. The project will communicate results and activities of EU environmental research with two specific target groups. The primary target group are teachers and students. The second target group is the general public. The overall project objectives are to: *Empower the European citizens to constructively engage in scientific dialogue and debate; *Inform European consumers of the latest scientific advances in the food sector; *Strengthen science education in classrooms; and *Promote scientific curiosity among the youth. The ComEnvir project will achieve its set objectives through a number of innovative approaches and strategies that have already been piloted in 2006 and 2007. These approaches centre around three key elements:*Creation of knowledge packages on EU environmental research and will include films, film clips, FAQs, news, background reading materials, a glossary and links; *Effective dissemination measures (broadcast media, DVDs and internet); and *Thorough evaluation of on-going project deliverables.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17962","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17962","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":297,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2009.1.1.6.3","ProjectAcronym":"CLAMER","ProjectTitle":"Climate Change and Marine Ecosystem Research Results","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Anthony Grehan (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"01\/08\/2011","Keywords":"Climate change; Marine environment; Social impacts; Public knowledge","ProjectAbstract":"Although there is no certainty regarding the precise nature and rate of future climate change, even the most moderate scenarios predict a continuing change of the marine environment, with associated major environmental and social impacts. To prepare society for the necessary mitigation and adaptation measures, the awareness of citizens to research results, both certainties and uncertainties, in this specific area should be raised. During the last years, much new information has been gathered in large EU-funded research, but to date this information has not been synthesized nor has it become an important part of public knowledge. The aim of this project is to make a synthesis of EU research results on the impacts of climate change on the marine environment and to make this knowledge and its socioeconomic consequences better known to European citizens and society at large. Together with expert representatives of major Networks of Excellence, large EU projects and research networks, we will produce a state-of-the-art overview of European research results on the effects of climate change on marine environment. An up-to-date overview of public knowledge and perception on the effects of climate change on marine environments and their socio-economic consequences will be produced by means of polls and questionnaires. The results will be used to identify the main issues to be addressed and the best practices to be used during the outreach activities. Enhancement of public knowledge on climate change impacts on the marine environment, including the socio-economic consequences, will be achieved by means of challenging and innovative tools such as an interactive Pan-European conference at the end of 2010 and a high-quality internet-based portal within an e-learning platform. These outreach activities will build upon recent experience as has been gathered within EU-funded research to communicate with European citizens on impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/clamer.eu\/","InternalProjectID":"17963","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17963","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":298,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2009.2.2.1.1","ProjectAcronym":"ODEMM","ProjectTitle":"Options for Delivering Ecosystem-Based Marine Management","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ronan Long (IE)","Institution":"Marine Law and Ocean Policy Research Services Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2013","Keywords":"Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Ecosystem management; Policy; Communication","ProjectAbstract":"The overall aim of the ODEMM project is to develop a set of fully costed ecosystem management options that would deliver the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive, the European Commission Blue Book and the Guidelines for the Integrated Approach to Maritime Policy. This will be achieved by: (i) Providing a comprehensive knowledge base to support policy for the development of sustainable and integrated management of European marine ecosystems; (ii) Developing Operational Objectives to achieve the High-Level Policy Objectives set by the MSFD and the HD, and with reference to the proposed Maritime Policy; (iii) Identifying Management Options (individual management tools and combinations of tools) to meet the Operational Objectives; (iv) Providing a risk assessment framework for the evaluation of Management Options and to assess the risk associated with the different options; (v) Conducting a cost benefit analysis of a range of Management Options using appropriate techniques; (vi) Identifying stakeholder opinions on the creation of governance structures directed towards implementation of the ecosystem approach, and to elaborate different scenarios for changing governance structures and legislation to facilitate a gradual transition from the current fragmented management approach towards fully integrated ecosystem management; (vii) Documenting the steps necessary for the transition from the current fragmented management scheme to a mature and integrated approach, and providing a toolkit that could be used to evaluate options for delivering ecosystem-based management; and (viii) Communicating and consulting on the outcomes of the project effectively with policy makers and other relevant user groups.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.liv.ac.uk\/odemm\/","InternalProjectID":"17964","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17964","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":299,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2009.2.2.1.2","ProjectAcronym":"SEAS ERA","ProjectTitle":"Towards integrated European marine research strategy and programmes","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":null,"Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2014","Keywords":"Marine Research; European Sea Basins; Funding; Public awareness","ProjectAbstract":"SEAS-ERA, as an overarching marine FP7 ERA-NET, is of strategic importance for the European Research Area. Several European strategic fora (e.g. ESFRI) and European Commission's Communications (e.g. Communication on Joint programming - 2008) have emphasised marine research as a field where major synergistic benefits can be reached by improving the coordination of research and infrastructure investments. SEAS-ERA overall objective is to facilitate the establishment of a stable and durable structure for strengthening marine research across the European Sea Basins. To do so the project brings together 20 major European Marine Research Funding Organisations from 20 countries in the basin regions of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and the Marine Board-ESF. SEAS-ERA aims to: *Contribute to setting up of a European Marine and Maritime Research Agenda and develop a stable European overarching operational structure for its implementation; *Enhance cooperation between Member States and avoid fragmentation by fostering synergies at regional and European levels towards achievement of Joint Programming; *Propose a plan for a better and sustainable use of Marine Research Infrastructures; *Improve science development and its utilization in Europe through human capacity building; and *Enhance public awareness of marine and maritime scientific and policy issues in Europe.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17965","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17965","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":300,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2009.5.1.0.2","ProjectAcronym":"MarineTT","ProjectTitle":"European Marine Research Knowledge Transfer and Uptake of Results","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Murphy (IE)","Institution":"AquaTT","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2011","Keywords":"Knowledge; Marine Environment Research; Economic growth; Policy","ProjectAbstract":"MarineTT is premised on the concept that knowledge is a major source of competitive advantage in business. Much potentially valuable knowledge, locked into inaccessible or non-user-friendly contexts, is unused because key stakeholders are not aware of its existence. MarineTT is concerned with marine environment research, an approach allowing coverage of other themes (climate change, biodiversity, earth observation and urban development) while also allowing important subtopics (such as fisheries and aquaculture) to be included, given their relevance to the key area of the impacts of economic growth leading to environmental degradation, and the current ecosystem management approach supported by the EC. MarineTT will use the existing EurOcean info-base of European marine research funded projects as its initial basis, extending its functionality by introducing critical missing fields, making it a more efficient tool, focusing on knowledge outputs rather than a simple listing of research projects. The profiles will be updated to include new fields, such as: stated aims and objectives vs. actual outputs, research performers, research outcomes, research methodologies (effective and\/or ineffective), products, and other relevant information. This knowledge can then be discharged through encouraging and accelerating commercial application of research results, through facilitating the transfer of knowledge for policy and senior decision makers, and through the promotion of research results to the public at large. MarineTT will make a real contribution to the call for improved access to EU research results for industry, multipliers, the civil society, and policymakers.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.marinett.eu\/","InternalProjectID":"17966","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17966","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":301,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2010.1.2.1-1","ProjectAcronym":"HEALTHY FUTURES","ProjectTitle":"Health, environmental change and adaptive capacity: mapping, examining and anticipating future risks of water-related vector-borne diseases in eastern Africa","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Taylor (IE), Olivia Daly (IE)","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD); AquaTT","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"02\/01\/2015","Keywords":"Water borne vector disease; East Africa; Mapping; Future risk","ProjectAbstract":"The HEALTHY FUTURES project is motivated by concern for the health impacts of environmental changes. HEALTHY FUTURES aims to respond to this concern through construction of a disease risk mapping system for three water-related, high-impact vector-borne diseases (malaria, Rift Valley fever and schistosomiasis) in Africa, taking into account environmental\/climatic trends and changes in socio-economic conditions to predict future risk. Concentrating on eastern Africa as a study area, HEALTHY FUTURES comprises a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary consortium of health, environment, socio-economic, disease modelling and climate experts in addition to governmental health departments. To achieve its aims, HEALTHY FUTURES will deploy a bottom-up, end user\/stakeholder-focused approach combining field-, laboratory- and library-based research.","ProjectWebsite":"www.healthyfutures.eu\/","InternalProjectID":"17967","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17967","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":302,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2010.2.1.4-4","ProjectAcronym":"EcoFINDERS","ProjectTitle":"Ecological Function and Biodiversity Indicators in European Soils","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Olaf Schmidt (IE), Bryan Griffiths (IE), Tom Bolger (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD); Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2014","Keywords":"Sustainability; Soil; Characterisation; Monitoring","ProjectAbstract":"The strategic goal of EcoFINDERS is to provide the EC with tools to design and implement soil strategies aimed at ensuring sustainable use of soils, including: characterisation of European soil biodiversity; determination of relations between soil biodiversity, soil functions and ecosystem services; design of policyrelevant and cost-effective indicators for monitoring soil biodiversity. The project will: *Develop and standardise tools and procedures to measure microbial and faunal diversity; *Describe the diversity of soil organisms (microbes and fauna), decipher their interactions through foodwebs and determine the role they play in soils functions and ecosystem services (nutrient cycling, carbon storage, water retention, soil structure regulation, resistance to pests and diseases, and regulation of above-ground diversity); *Establish cost-effective bioindicators for measuring sustainability of the microbial and faunal diversity and their associated functions (using a combination of metrics and meta-analysis); *Evaluate the economic value of ecosystem services, the added value of these bioindicators; and *Develop and implement effective communication strategies to engage the European public around issues associated with the sustainability of soil biodiversity.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17968","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17968","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":303,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2010.3.1.1-2","ProjectAcronym":"END-O-SLUDG","ProjectTitle":"Marketable sludge derivatives from sustainable processing of wastewater in a highly integrated treatment plant","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bryan Griffiths (IE)","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2011","Keywords":"Renewable energy; Sustainability; Sludge treatment; Fertiliser","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17969","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17969","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":304,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2012.6.2-1","ProjectAcronym":"OPERAs","ProjectTitle":"Operational Potential of Ecosystem Research Applications","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Marcus Collier (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)\n","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2017","Keywords":"Ecosystem Services; Anthropogenic pressure; Natural Capital; Policy impacts","ProjectAbstract":"Ecosystems provide humanity with innumerable and invaluable resources and services that provide us with improved health and welfare. Human exploitation of ecosystems leads to a loss of resources globally. Thus, ecosystems may not be able to function in a way that is vital to the welfare of humanity. Ecosystem services and Natural capital provide guidance to better manage our ecosystems while preserving the ecological value and biological diversity. The main aim of OPERAs is to develop ecosystem science for policy and practice in order to enhance the sustainable use of ecosystems. The main objectives of OPERAs are to: Improve the management of ecosystems through better understanding of policy impacts. Investigate the socio-economic and sociocultural benefits of increasing the effectiveness of ecosystem management and providing significant advances in ecosystem services understanding, methods, theory and application. Develop and test tools of practical guidance for policy makers and stakeholders on the effective and cost-efficient ecosystem services, governance structures and practical management. Establish a 'Community of Excellence' (CoE) built around the OPERAs project for continued practice that will benefit from the OPERAs outcomes. Formulate a 'Resource Hub', a web-based portal that will be co-developed by scientists and practitioners representing different perspectives of the ecosystem services concepts. The Resource Hub will provide the main interface between OPERAs and a Community of Excellence (CoE) for continued practice that will benefit from OPERAs outcomes. The OPERAs project comprises of research scientists, NGO's and SME's from a variety of disciplines, who are working to establish what constitutes good ecosystem governance. OPERAs is working closely with stakeholders throughout the project.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/operas-project.eu\/","InternalProjectID":"17970","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17970","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":305,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2012.6.2-5","ProjectAcronym":"STAGES","ProjectTitle":"Science and Technology Advancing Governance of Good Environmental Status","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Marieke Reuver (IE)","Institution":"AquaTT\n","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"31\/08\/2014","Keywords":"Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Good Environmental Status; Knowledge defecit; Filling gaps","ProjectAbstract":"The Marine Strategy Framework Directive is designed to deliver Good Environmental Status (GES) in EU marine waters by 2020. This Directive requires that Member States (MS) with marine territories put in place measures to achieve and maintain GES within a defined timeframe and according to eleven key descriptors of environmental status. However, there is a significant knowledge deficit which may hinder full implementation of the MSFD and the achievement of GES in EU waters. STAGES (Science and Technology Advancing Governance on Good Environmental Status) project is designed to directly address this knowledge deficit. The project has two overarching goals: i) To synthesise per major MSFD themes the information from research projects. To develop a platform to ensure that the knowledge generated through European science and technology can be channelled to a broad range of relevant end users, to inform and facilitate implementation of the MSFD and the achievement of GES. To achieve this, STAGES targets a number of critical gaps in the knowledge transfer process.The partnership has been constructed to include a combination of EU\/international organizations which can represent a broad constituency of MSFD stakeholders, and national organizations with responsibility to support research and provide advice on MSFD implementation at MS level.","ProjectWebsite":"www.stagesproject.eu","InternalProjectID":"17971","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17971","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":306,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2012.6.3-1","ProjectAcronym":"IDREEM","ProjectTitle":"Increasing Industrial Resource Efficiency in European Mariculture","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Julie Maguire (IE)","Institution":null,"Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/2016","Keywords":"Aquaculture; Food security; Nutrient Recycling; Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture ","ProjectAbstract":" Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish and even plants. In Europe, it is one of the most important industrial sectors when considering global food security. Typically, aquaculture is carried out on a single organism basis. This method of farming results in loss of large quantities of nutrients from the system. Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) facilitates the recycling of these nutrients through the inclusion of farming additional species of differing trophic levels. The benefits of this system are well understood. However, IMTA is only practiced in Europe by a few specialist companies. IDREEM project aims to investigate why this is the case and demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of integrating IMTA methods of aquaculture. This will be carried out through pilot and commercial testing. IDREEM will consider social, economic and environmental issues with a view to improve the understanding of technological and financial issues that may stand in the way of IMTA being adopted by aquaculture enterprises and also the social issues that influence consumers and the general public to better understand market issues. In doing so, they will create methods to help the European aquaculture industry adopt more environmentally and economically efficient practices of IMTA that can be used in Europe on a commercial scale. Throughout the project a dedicated impact coordinator will ensure that the project is fully engaged with the wide range of stakeholders, inviting their participation from the beginning and throughout the project (specifically in the form of a project advisory committee) and ensuring that results are fed back into that community. This will ensure that there is a rapid up take of the new production technology across the European sector, creating opportunity and support for a range of new SME producers, processors and up the value chain.","ProjectWebsite":"www.idreem.eu","InternalProjectID":"17972","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17972","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":307,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2012.6.5-1","ProjectAcronym":"COBWEB","ProjectTitle":"Citizen Observatory Web","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gregory O'Hare (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)\n","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2016","Keywords":"World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR); Citizens; Environmental information; Geographic information","ProjectAbstract":"COBWEB will leverage the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). Focusing on the Welsh Dyfi Biosphere Reserve, a citizens observatory framework will be developed as well as validating work within the context of the UK National Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and internationally, within the WNBR; specifically, within Greek and German Reserves. A developed infrastructure will exploit technological developments in ubiquitous mobile devices, crowd-sourcing of geographic information and the operationalising of standards based SDI such as the UK Location Information Infrastructure. This project will enable citizens living within Biosphere Reserves to collect environmental information on a range of parameters including species distribution, flooding and land cover\/use. A main driver of this project will be the opportunity to participate in environmental governance. Data quality issues will be addressed by using networks of people as sensors and by analysing observations and measurements in real-time combination with authoritative models and datasets. The citizens observatory framework will integrate with evolving INSPIRE compliant national SDIs and allow the fusion of citizen sourced data with reference data from public authorities in support of policy objectives. Implementations of COBWEB will act as models for how technology may be used to empower citizens. To maximise impact, COBWEB will work within the processes of the standards defining organisations. They will specifically focus on improving the usability of Sensor Web Enablement standards with mobile devices, develop widespread acceptance of the data quality measures and develop and maximise the commercial appeal of COBWEB outputs. The main aim of this project is to develop a toolkit and a set of models that demonstrably works in different European countries and which is accepted as a core information system component of the WNBR.","ProjectWebsite":"www.cobwebproject.eu","InternalProjectID":"17973","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17973","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":308,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2012.6.5-1 ","ProjectAcronym":"Citclops","ProjectTitle":"Citizens' observatory for coast and ocean optical monitoring","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Karen Dubsky (IE)\n","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD) (Coastwatch Europe(Ireland))","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/2015","Keywords":"Marine environment; Public awareness; Anthropogenic pressures; Management","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"www.citclops.eu","InternalProjectID":"17974","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17974","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":309,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2012.6.6-1","ProjectAcronym":"ECO-India","ProjectTitle":"Energy-efficient, community-based water- and wastewater-treatment systems for deployment in India","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary Manning (IE), Kevin Keane (IE)","Institution":"Tyndall National Institute; Trustwater \n","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"31\/08\/2015","Keywords":"India; Heavy pollution and contamination; Communities; Cost-effective water treatment","ProjectAbstract":"As the population of India continues to expand, the country' water resources become increasingly strained. Heavy pollution from open sewers is common place in urban areas and arsenic contamination of groundwater continues to threaten the health and well-being of local communities. India is defined as a 'water stressed' country and innovative methods to provide cost-effective water treatment to communities are a crucial requirement if growing populations are to be sustainable. The overall aim of ECO-India is to design and develop innovative cost-effective solutions for community-based water and wastewater treatment systems. These systems will be deployed at pilot sites in arsenic-affected water-stressed regions in India. The two consortia, Indian (DST) and European (FP7) will establish pilot schemes for: Catchment area and reservoir management, Surface water supply schemes Arsenic removal (including monitoring using UFZ's field-tested Arsolux arsenic sensor), Disinfection treatment for potable water based on Trustwater's CE-certified mixed-oxidant generation systems, Online monitoring of water quality, Water distribution network, together with online\/offline water quality monitoring programmes, Sewerage and wastewater treatment. In addition, prototype energy-efficient modules for water deionisation and heavy metal removal will be developed. A feasibility study will be performed to assess the potential for energy harvesting from sludge.","ProjectWebsite":"www.eco-india.eu","InternalProjectID":"17975","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17975","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":310,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2013.6.1-2 ","ProjectAcronym":"BACCHUS","ProjectTitle":"Impact of Biogenic versus Anthropogenic emissions on Clouds and Climate: towards a Holistic UnderStanding","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Colin O'Dowd (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)\n","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2017","Keywords":"Aerosol-Cloud Interaction; Climate Change; Biogenic v Anthropogenic emissions; Database","ProjectAbstract":"Clouds are a very important, yet not well understood feedback factor in climate change and they contribute to the effective radiative forcing (ERF) from aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI). The uncertainty in ERF from ACI is larger than for any other forcing agent. Also, feedbacks between the terrestrial and marine biosphere and the atmosphere involving ACI are thought to play an important role in regulating climate change but their relevance remains poorly quantified. BACCHUS proposes to quantify key processes and feedbacks controlling ACI, by combining advanced measurements of cloud and aerosol properties with state-of-the-art numerical modelling. The analysis of contrasting environments will be the guiding strategy for BACCHUS. Investigation into the importance of biogenic versus anthropogenic emissions for ACI in will be carried out in regions that are key regulators of Earth's climate (Amazonian rain forest) or are regarded as tipping elements in the climate system (Arctic). BACCHUS will generate a unique database linking long-term observations and field campaign data of aerosol, cloud condensation and ice nuclei and cloud microphysical properties; this will enable a better quantification of the natural aerosol concentrations and the anthropogenic aerosol effect. BACCHUS will advance the understanding of biosphere aerosol-cloud-climate feedbacks that occur via emission and transformation of biogenic volatile organic compounds, primary biological aerosols, secondary organic aerosols and dust. Integration of new fundamental understanding gained in BACCHUS in Earth Systems Models allows the reducing of uncertainty in future climate projections. This will have a direct impact on decision-making addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation. BACCHUS brings together a critical mass of experimentalists and modellers with the required scientific expertise to address these complex topics and a high commitment to communicate their findings in many ways in order to ensure a high-impact project.","ProjectWebsite":"www.bacchus.ethz.ch","InternalProjectID":"17976","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17976","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":311,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2013.6.4-3 ","ProjectAcronym":"ASTARTE","ProjectTitle":"Assessment, STrategy And Risk Reduction for Tsunamis in Europe","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Frederic Dias (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2016","Keywords":"Tsunamis; Expanding infrastructure; Risk management; Mitigation","ProjectAbstract":"Tsunamis are low frequency natural disasters of high impact. Coastal communities of the NEAM region (North East Atlantic, Mediterranean and Adjacent Seas) are at increased risk of being impacted by tsunamis due to expanding infrastructure and increased all-year round tourism. In order to mitigate the adverse effects of tsunami impacts, risk management and resilience at local scales need to be addressed. The ASTARTE project will formulate tsunami resilience in Europe through innovative research on tsunami sources, propagation and impacts. The ASTARTE project aims to enhance Tsunami Warning Systems (TWS) and mitigate impacts to local coastal communities in the in NEAM region through: 1. Improved knowledge on tsunami generation involving novel empirical data and statistical analyses so that the long-term recurrence and associated hazards of large events insensitive areas of the NEAM could be established; 2. Development of numerical techniques for tsunami simulation concentrating in real-time codes and novel statistical emulations; 3. Refined methods for the assessment of tsunami hazard, vulnerability and risk; Better tools for forecast and warning tools candidate tsunami watch providers (CTWPs) and national tsunami warming centres (NTWCs); 4. Guidelines for tsunami Euro Codes Guidelines for decision makers The ASTARTE project will develop critical scientific and technical elements required for a significant enhancement of the Tsunami Warning System (TWS) in the NEAM region in terms of monitoring, early warning and forecast, governance and resilience. Overall, this will lead to the goal of the European\/NEAM Horizon 2020 strategy: to foster tsunami resilient communities.","ProjectWebsite":"www.astarte-project.eu","InternalProjectID":"17977","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17977","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":312,"ProjectCode":"ENV.2013.6.5-2","ProjectAcronym":"DANCERS","ProjectTitle":"DANube macroregion: Capacity building and Excellence in River Systems (basin, delta and sea)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jeremy Gault (IE)\n","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)\n","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"31\/05\/2015","Keywords":"Danube region; Innovative solutions; Knowledge strengthening; Integrated management ","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this project is develop new instruments and tools that will enhance environmental research and promote innovation in Danube Region, including the Danube Delta and the Black Sea. Importantly, the new instruments and tools do not start ab initio but will build on existing projects covering multiple source of funding (public, private or Public Private Partnership), whether national, regional or European which will be identified and clustered. The project will undertake a critical analysis of what has been achieved so far in the region and will build upon results of achievements to-date, to design innovative solutions to strengthen knowledge transfer in this area. This will be achieved by gathering top level representatives of the academia and business communities as well as decision makers, specialised in various sectors of integrated management of the Danube Black Sea macrosystem. The specific objectives of this project are to: Critically analyse the achievements in integrated river- delta sea management in the Danube Region; Understand links between the achievements, deliverables and results of the work performed; Define a set of instruments to enhance environmental research and innovation in Danube Region. The ultimate deliverable will be a toolbox of instruments which will yield a strategic research agenda, a concept and detailed plan of the distributed research infrastructure both for the Danube Black Sea Macrosystem and proposals for an integrated educational program to be implemented at a regional level in the immediate future, with the full cooperation of partners from Danube - Black Sea Macrosystem.","ProjectWebsite":"www.dancers-fp7.eu","InternalProjectID":"17978","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17978","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":313,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 40 ","ProjectAcronym":"ESS","ProjectTitle":"European sea level observing system (ESS)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"11\/09\/1996","ProjectEndDate":"11\/09\/2001","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17979","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17979","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":314,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 43 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Experimental european network of ocean stations","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"31\/12\/1979","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1983","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17980","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17980","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":315,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 43bis ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Experimental european network of ocean stations","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"31\/12\/1984","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1988","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17981","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17981","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":316,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 46 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Mariculture ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"31\/12\/1979","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1983","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17982","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17982","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":317,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 47 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Benthic coastal ecology","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"31\/12\/1980","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1984","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17983","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17983","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":318,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 49","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Use of Marine Primary Biomass (Macroalgae) ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"07\/03\/1996","ProjectEndDate":"07\/03\/2000","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17984","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17984","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":319,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 620","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Vulnerability and risk mapping for the protection of karst aquifers","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"29\/01\/1998","ProjectEndDate":"29\/01\/2003","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17985","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17985","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":320,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 629","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Fate, impact and indicators of water pollution in natural porous media at different scales","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kevin McGuigan (IE)","Institution":"Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"14\/09\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"13\/09\/2006","Keywords":"Risk management; Water pollution; Anthropogenic; Water Framework Directive","ProjectAbstract":"The objective of the Action was to improve the science underpinning the development of integrated indicators of the environmental risks created by pollutants in water. The emphasis was emphasis on water bodies on natural porous media. Natural porous media include soils, subsoil vadose zones, and aquifer systems. The pollutants considered were substances of anthropogenic origin such as nutrients, pesticides, hazardous substances, organic chemicals and solvents, organometalic, radionucleic and organic waste. Where these substances occurred in concentration considered toxic to living organisms, pollution was deemed to exist. Under this COST Action an effort was made to address both the \"known\" and the \"unknown\" fraction. A set of integrated indicators to evaluate pollution status and risk of toxicity for European water resources will aid environmental agencies, administrators and regulators and benefit society as a whole. The developed tools will facilitate implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17986","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17986","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":321,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 634 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"On- and Off-site Environmental Impacts of Runoff and Erosion ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Hubert Tunney (IE); Ian Donohue (IE)","Institution":"Teagasc; University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"19\/04\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"18\/07\/2008","Keywords":"Erosion; Runoff; Environmental impact; Catchment study","ProjectAbstract":"Erosion and runoff have not only on-site effects, mainly soil degradation, but also off-site effects such as eutrophication of watercourses and lakes, and property damage by flooding. To avoid environmental impact of erosion the links between science and land users should be strengthen. The main objective of the Action is to develop an integrated understanding of on- and off-site impacts of soil erosion at the catchment scale in close cooperation with land management authorities. This Action is a follow up of former Action 623 which investigated soil erosion effects.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17987","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17987","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":322,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 635 ","ProjectAcronym":"INTERCAFE","ProjectTitle":"INTERCAFE","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ger Rogan (IE); Russell Poole (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"20\/09\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"19\/09\/2008","Keywords":"Cormorants; Conservation; Conflict; Fishing management policies","ProjectAbstract":"
The successful protection of cormorants in recent years is causing a growing number of conflicts with commercial fisheries. To avoid these conflicts the achievements of research of cormorant ecology should be implemented in combination with practical fishing management policies. The main objective of the Action is to improve European scientific knowledge of cormorant-fisheries interactions.<\/p>","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17988","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17988","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":323,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 636 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Xenobiotics in the Urban Water Cycle","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"James Parked (IE)","Institution":"Inter-Euro Technology Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"14\/03\/2005","ProjectEndDate":"13\/03\/2009","Keywords":"Xenobiotics; European Union; Market; Ecosystem contamination","ProjectAbstract":"There are more than 100,000 xenobiotics on the market in the European Union. Many different compounds including both inorganic elements such as heavy metals and metalloids and organic compounds such as pesticides, surfactants, preservatives, solvents, fragrances, flavours, and pharmaceuticals as well as endocrine disrupters are covered by this term. Aproximately 70,000 of them may be potentially hazardous for humans or ecosystems.The ability of xenobiotics to spread into the environment will be studied from a multidisciplinary viewpoint.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17989","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17989","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":324,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 637 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Metals and Related Substances in Drinking Water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"James Parkes (IE); Paula Colavita (IE)","Institution":"Inter-Euro Technology Ltd.; University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2010","Keywords":"Metals; Drinking water; Management; Environmental and socio-economic impacts","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of the Action is to stimulate better control of metals and related substances in drinking water and to minimise environmental impacts. Supporting objectives; [1] To provide an on-going forum for knowledge exchange in connection with metals and related substances in drinking water. [2] To promote good practice in the control of metals and related substances in drinking water. [3] To more critically determine the environmental and socio-economic impacts of control measures through the sharing of practitioner experience. [4] To stimulate relevant collaborative research and demonstration studies at the European scale.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17990","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17990","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":325,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 638 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Investigating and managing the impacts of marine sand and gravel extraction and use ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gerry Sutton (IE); Terry McMahon (IE)","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC); Marine Institute (IE)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"22\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"21\/10\/2010","Keywords":"European marine policy; Collaboration; Communication; Research Links","ProjectAbstract":"1. Action aim; The main aim of this Action is to bring together and add value to the disparate national and European research initiatives to create a unified, clear position to feed into European marine policy. This Action will aim to erase the 'grey' areas which exist in marine research and policy and work to disseminate collaborated European research results to assist future national and marine policy objectives. 2. Action objectives; The objectives of the Action are to: *Share information across Europe to identify problems and solutions within current practices, to strengthen research links and collaboration and to facilitate integrated marine management. *Work across disciplines to identify synergies and develop an integrated approach to study the management, effects, policy and processes involved in marine aggregate extraction. *Disseminate this collaborative research to aid policy and regulation of marine aggregate exploitation from which the wider scientific community can benefit; e.g. fisheries, marine archaeology, maintenance dredging. *To bring together research from different fields and areas to integrate industry objectives into marine research. *Disseminate the Action results as widely as possible to end-users. The more specific measurable objectives of the individual working groups are detailed in Section D. C3. Dissemination objectives; The dissemination of the work group results and the Action's outputs play a crucial role in the success of this Action. It is important that targeted dissemination takes place and is of relevance to the audience. Key dissemination objectives are to: *Form a European Users Group to target policy makers, advisers and stakeholders for COST countries to ensure Action outputs have clarity and relevance for the policy audience. *To ensure dissemination represents the views of the Action participants and is integrated, focused and applicable to the audience. *To disseminate outputs to a wide targeted audience.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17991","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17991","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":326,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 64b ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Analysis of organic micropollutants in water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"31\/12\/1971","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1975","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17992","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17992","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":327,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 65 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Hydrogeological aspects of groundwater protection in karstic areas ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"13\/11\/1990","ProjectEndDate":"13\/11\/1994","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17993","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17993","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":328,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 717","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Use of radar observation in hydrological and NWP models","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Bruen (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"28\/02\/2000","ProjectEndDate":"28\/10\/2004","Keywords":"European radar data; Numerical Weather Prediction; River flow management; Rural and urban catchments","ProjectAbstract":"The general objective of the Action to examine and define the requirements on European radar data for their use in Numerical Weather Prediction and hydrological models, in order to increase the level of management of river flow in rural and urban catchments brought together radar engineers, meteorologists and hydrologists.They initiated a European-wide action to homogenise procedures related to radar data. This effort continues beyond the duration of the Action in EUMETNET`s OPERA initiative. The Action acted as a nucleus for follow on work in COST Action 731, which is focused more on the quality and uncertainty of meteorological observations, along with their impacts on hydro-meteorological outputs from advanced forecast systems. The Action also made a major contribution to the genesis of series of European Conferences on Radar Meteorology, which became one of the main channels of the dissemination of the results.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17994","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17994","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":329,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action 735 ","ProjectAcronym":"ESSEM COST Action 735 ","ProjectTitle":"Tools for Assessing Global Air-Sea Fluxes of Climate and Air Pollution Relevant Gases","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Colin O'Dowd (IE); Brian Ward (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"26\/10\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"25\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Air-sea fluxes; Monitoring; Climate; Air pollution","ProjectAbstract":"
The main objective of this COST Action is to develop the tools for, and the production of, best estimates of global air-sea fluxes of compounds relevant to climate and air pollution, including, but not limited to CO2, DMS, halogenated hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide, trace metals and nutrients. The latter two are included as their flux to the ocean affects marine ecology and provides feedback to the production of trace gases. These estimates will be computed from a combination of available data and state-of-the-art model output. This COST Action will: *Compile existing data into a standards-based framework, in a format of use to climate modellers, interpolating sparse data and collapsing it to a 'virtual year'. *Intercalibrate and compare different data sets and methods, and assess the errors within them. *Compare the data products to model output. Such a synthesis of data is critical for assessing the role of the oceans in regulating atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, stratospheric ozone-depleting compounds and oxides of nitrogen and sulphur which form acid deposition. It will allow a determination of the ocean's influence on the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere, which regulates air quality and the lifetime of greenhouse gases. Secondary objectives are: *To implement the latest chemical and biological understanding of trace gas production into coupled models used for predicting regional and global climate. *To assess the role that the oceans play in regulating air quality and the atmosphere's oxidation capacity. *To synthesise our knowledge of the likely changes in air-sea exchange under various global change scenarios. Such an initiative is timely because coupled GCMs (General Circulation Models) used to predict climate are now capable of incorporating biological feedbacks to global change. They are currently limited by a lack of data and understanding of how the chemical\/ biological processes operate within our present climate and will operate in the future (Figure 3). Finally, this Action will - Develop fora for information dissemination, scientific synthesis and vigorous discussion.<\/p>","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17995","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17995","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":330,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0604 ","ProjectAcronym":"WaVaCS","ProjectTitle":"Atmospheric Water Vapour in the Climate System (WaVaCS)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Priscilla Mooney (IE)","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"05\/10\/2007","ProjectEndDate":"04\/10\/2011","Keywords":"Water vapour; Climate; Atmosphere; Data assimilation","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed Action brings together leading European scientists to address the issue of atmospheric water vapour and its impact on climate. This Action is needed to integrate research carried out in different areas, including: atmospheric monitoring, data analysis and modelling. It brings together expertise that is both unique and timely. In order to make significant progress in the field of water vapour and climate, it is necessary to integrate knowledge acquired from research based on different methodologies. To achieve this, the Action is structured into 4 working groups which together aim to increase knowledge on observations, theory, and data assimilation in the context of water vapour and climate. The objective is to offer to the scientific community and the broader Earth Observation community an integrative approach to understanding the processes controlling the atmospheric water vapour distribution, in particular those elements linking water vapour and climate. Beneficiaries of this Action include the meteorological services, space agencies, environmental agencies and policy makers. The specific task of this Action is to promote knowledge dissemination activities at various levels through scientific missions, thematic training schools, support toward conference participation, and special issues in world-class scientific journals.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17996","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17996","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":331,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0701 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Improved Constraints on Models of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Zdenek Martinec (IE)","Institution":"Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"29\/04\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"28\/04\/2012","Keywords":"Glacial isostatic adjustment; Ice mass balance; Antarctica; Greenland","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of the Action is to place improved constraints on models of glacial isostatic adjustment through the development of state-of-the-art surface velocity measurements with the consequent production of new ice mass change estimates for the major ice sheets. This Action addresses the current uncertainty in polar ice mass contributions to present-day global sea level rise. The focus is ice mass change signals derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission (2002-present). The ice mass change is derived from gravity-signals, which are contaminated by glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA). However, the GIA signal in the GRACE results currently exceeds the expected Antarctic ice mass balance signal. GIA models are data poor in polar-regions and new constraints from precise and geographically widespread surface velocity measurements are needed. Whilst surface velocity estimates have been derived in many of the key regions their accuracy and precision is presently too low. Recent advances (GIA modelling and geodetic observations) indicate that a collaborative approach at this point in time would lead to a significant improvement in GIA model accuracy. Further, additional data in key locations (Antarctic and Greenland) will be added during the International Polar Year (2007-9). These data will be available to the remodeling effort. In this Action leading geodesists and geophysicists from Europe will focus together, to provide improved constraints on GIA models and, hence, on contemporary ice mass balance estimates for Antarctica, Greenland and the smaller ice caps.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17997","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17997","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":332,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0801","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The ocean chemistry of bioactive trace elements and paleoclimate proxies ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Rachel Cave (IE); Carlos Rocha (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"14\/11\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"13\/11\/2012","Keywords":"Ocean biogeochemistry; Climate paleoproxies; Marine data management; Trace element intercalibration","ProjectAbstract":"The cycling of key trace elements in the ocean is critical to the functioning of ocean ecosystems, to the carbon cycle, to contamination of the ocean, and to assessment of past climate change. This COST Action seeks to maximize the benefit from research on the marine chemistry of trace elements conducted in a large number of COST countries. National research cruises will use new analytical and modelling techniques to dramatically improve understanding of ocean trace-element cycles. This Action will unite these national efforts with Working Groups focused on: i) maximizing the research achieved on nationally-funded cruises through international collaboration; ii) intercalibration and standardisation of analytical measurements across the European research area; and, iii) data management and the production of global data products for a wide range of end-users. A fourth Working Group will co-ordinate significant training and outreach activities, though which the Action will generate an international community of young scientists who understand trace-element cycles sufficiently well to contribute to a wide range of future interdisciplinary studies. This Action will liaise closely with international programmes with similar interests, particularly the GEOTRACES programme, and will allow realisation of cross-national goals of that programme within the European research area.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17998","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17998","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":333,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0901","ProjectAcronym":"FloodFreq","ProjectTitle":"European procedures for flood frequency estimation (FloodFreq) ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Oliver Nicholson (IE)","Institution":"The Office of Public Works (OPW)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"29\/10\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"28\/04\/2014","Keywords":"Flood frequency estimation; Methodology; Environmental change; Flood risk management","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective is to undertake a pan-European comparison and evaluation of methods for flood frequency estimation under the various climatologic and geographic conditions found in Europe, and different levels of data availability. This Action undertakes a pan-European comparison and evaluation of different methods for flood frequency estimation under the various climatologic and geographic conditions found in Europe, and different levels of data availability. A scientific framework for assessing the ability of these methods to predict the impact of environmental change (climate change, land-use and river engineering works) on future flood frequency characteristics (flood occurrence and magnitude) will be developed and tested. The availability of such procedures is crucial for the formulation of robust flood risk management strategies as required by the Directive of the European Parliament on the assessment and management of floods. The outputs from FloodFreq will be disseminated to: academics, professionals involved in operational flood risk management from private and public institutions, and relevant policy makers from national and international regulatory bodies. This Action enables cooperation between researchers involved in nationally funded research projects to, thereby enabling testing of methods free from the constraints of administrative boundaries, and allowing a more efficient use of European flood research funding.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"17999","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=17999","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":334,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0902 ","ProjectAcronym":"PERGAMON","ProjectTitle":"Permafrost and gas hydrate related methane release in the Arctic and impact on climate change - European cooperation for long-term monitoring (PERGAMON)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Xavier Monteys (IE)","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"12\/11\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"11\/11\/2013","Keywords":"Methane; Marine and terrestrial; Arctic; Atmosphere","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective is to quantify the methane input from marine and terrestrial sources into the atmosphere in the Arctic region, and ultimately to evaluate the impact of Arctic methane seepage on global climate. The Arctic is a key area in our anthropogenically-warming world as massive releases of methane currently locked up in permafrost and gas hydrates, both on land and in marine sediments, could increase atmospheric concentrations of this greenhouse gas much faster than predicted. The vast Arctic continental shelf, wetlands and Tundra might become major emitters of methane in the future. At present, there are a handful of unconnected projects involving research on methane seepage in this area. The exchange of information about these ongoing and also planned activities with respect to gas hydrate destabilization and permafrost thawing is minimal within the EU and almost non-existent at an international level. The aim of this Action is to promote networking between the disparate groups within the EU, and to develop coherent links between the terrestrial and marine communities, with the ultimate goal of establishing a long-term monitoring project led by members of the EU, but also involving experts from Russia, the US and Canada. In order to achieve these objectives, work-visits, workshops, electronic-newsletters, sessions at conferences, data compilation and joint field campaigns are planned together with lobbying on EU and national levels to promote research on this important topic.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18000","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18000","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":335,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0904 ","ProjectAcronym":"EGO","ProjectTitle":"European Gliding Observatories Network (EGO)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Glenn Nolan (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"15\/07\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"14\/07\/2014","Keywords":"Fleet operation; Underwater gliders; Marine observations; Cost-effective","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of this Action is the coordination of ongoing research using gliders, and the conception of future research, to operate fleets of autonomous underwater gliders in order to provide cost-effective methods for the discovery and monitoring of the ocean at global, regional and coastal scales with benefit to both basic oceanographic research and operational applications for marine activities. Underwater gliders are intelligent and affordable platforms useful for long term multi parameter marine observations. They play an important role for present and planned marine observation networks. Deployed in swarms, they provide near real-time high spatial and temporal resolution data that will efficiently fill the gaps left by existing in-situ observation networks based on other marine platforms such as the profilers in the ARGO network. This will be beneficial for both academic oceanographic research and especially operational oceanography systems on which a large number of marine activities now rely. However, the deployment of swarms of gliders requires highly skilled operators and a sophisticated level of cooperation. The objective of the \"European Gliding Observatories\" Action is to build cooperation at the technological, scientific and organizational levels for a European capacity for sustained observations of the oceans with gliders.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18001","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18001","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":336,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0905","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Seagrass productivity: from genes to ecosystem management ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Robert Wilkes (IE)","Institution":"Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"15\/03\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"14\/03\/2014","Keywords":"European seagrass ecosystems; Anthropogenic pressure; Conservation; Coordination","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of this Action is to provide the scientific basis for estimating and preserving the goods and services arising from the productivity of European seagrass ecosystems under anthropogenic pressure. Seagrass ecosystems rank with coral reefs and tropical rainforests in their many ecosystem services, yet are drastically declining worldwide as a consequence of both anthropogenic and natural pressures including habitat fragmentation, eutrophication, poor water clarity and climate change stressors. In spite of this, the level of awareness is low and management ineffective. Seagrass research is fragmented and there is little integration between researchers and coastal zone managers. The Action aim is to form a European-wide research coordination network that integrates expertise in physiological ecology, ecological genomics and conservation-resource management. Uniquely, scientists and managers will work together to close the pure\/applied research gap and to develop comprehensive best practices for integrated seagrass habitat management. This is a much talked-about approach that has not been implemented. The European capacities for seagrass research will be integrated to carry out six tasks: establish continuous, in-situ measurement devices for seagrass productivity, establish a modelling and monitoring tool based on seagrass light requirements, understand seagrass responses to global changes, assess seagrass genetic adaptative variation at photosynthetic related loci, evaluate the effectiveness of existing and new seagrass-health ecological indicators and provide guidelines to improve the conservation and management of seagrass dominated ecosystems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18002","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18002","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":337,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES0907 ","ProjectAcronym":"INTIMATE","ProjectTitle":"INTegrating Ice core, MArine and TErrestrial records - 60,000 to 8000 years ago (INTIMATE) ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Stephen Mc Carron (IE)","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"24\/06\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"23\/06\/2014","Keywords":"Reconstruction; Extreme climate change; Future Climate; Ecosystem response","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of this Action is to develop common protocols and methods within a larger network to reconstruct abrupt and extreme climate change across the full range of European environments (ice, marine and terrestrial) within the period 60,000 to 8000 years ago, bringing together scientists in order to better understand the impact and mechanisms of change, and thereby reducing the uncertainty of future prediction. The main aim of this Action is to develop common protocols and methods to reconstruct abrupt and extreme climate change across the full range of European environments (ice, marine and terrestrial) over the period 60,000 to 8000 years ago, to better understand the mechanisms and impact of change, and thereby reduce the uncertainty of future prediction. Past climate and environmental data provide critical tests of global and regional climate models. While there are a small number of high profile records, such as the Greenland ice cores, which are critical for informing on the dynamic nature of past climate change, it is at the scale of Europe and the North Atlantic that abrupt climate variability needs to be fully explored. It is crucial that independent records of abrupt climate change across Europe are generated and robustly compared to test for leads\/lags in the climate system and the interaction between different climate forcing mechanisms. Doing so will critically underpin our ability to model future climate change and ecosystem response. The main objectives of this Action are to standardize methodologies across Europe; incorporate reconstructions within climate models; and facilitate interdisciplinary science collaborations, including early-stage and established scientists, to build European research capacity. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18003","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18003","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":338,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1001 ","ProjectAcronym":"SMOS","ProjectTitle":"SMOS Mission Oceanographic Data Exploitation","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brian Ward (IE); Anneke Ten Doeschate","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"14\/01\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"31\/05\/2015","Keywords":"Oceanographic data; European Space Agency Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS); Sea Surface Salinity maps; Data availability","ProjectAbstract":"This COST Action aims at coordinating the European studies concerning the oceanographic data exploitation of the European Space Agency Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite mission. Recently launched in November 2009, SMOS will provide for the first time Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) maps over the oceans. The monitoring of ocean salinity, a variable of renowned importance in the broader scientific context of the climate change analysis, underlines the European relevance of the Action. The overall goal targeted by the network is the synergy of the European efforts in the interpretation of the measurements and their applications, profiting from the imminent availability of SMOS data. This COST Action will coordinate European teams working on two major research areas. The first one will focus on the improvement and development of SMOS-derived data products. The second will assess the added value of such products in operational oceanography, process and climate studies. This Action is the ideal framework to capitalize the often fragmented efforts of the identified experts working in these research areas.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18004","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18004","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":339,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1003 ","ProjectAcronym":"EMBOS","ProjectTitle":"Development and implementation of a pan-European Marine Biodiversity Observatory System (EMBOS) ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Tasman Crowe (IE)","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"29\/03\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"28\/03\/2015","Keywords":"Marine Biodiversity; Networking; Observations stations; Anthropogenic gradients","ProjectAbstract":"Marine biodiversity varies over large scales of time and space, and requires a research strategy beyond the tradition\/capabilities of classic research. Research that covers these scales requires a permanent international pan-European network of observation stations with an optimized and standardized methodology. In EMBOS the needed large-scale network of research locations in Europe will be installed to assess long-term changes in marine biodiversity and their possible causes taking into account natural and anthropogenic gradients, and EMBOS will extend and optimize this observatory system, including novel interdisciplinary approaches for research. The cooperation leads to a focused and cost effective long term research agenda for EU marine observatories, and contributes to ERA, LIFEWATCH and GEOSS\/GEOBON actions, and supports legal obligations of the EU regarding the CBD, OSPAR and Barcelona conventions as well as EU directives (Bird and Habitat Directive, WFD, MSFD, ICZM).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18005","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18005","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":340,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1101 ","ProjectAcronym":"HarmBio","ProjectTitle":"Harmonizing Global Biodiversity Modelling (HarmBio) ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Bourke (IE)","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"20\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"19\/01\/2016","Keywords":"Biodiversity; Policy; Adaptive management; Common dataset","ProjectAbstract":"Global biodiversity is declining rapidly, largely as a result of human activities. Effective policy and adaptive management strategies in the face of global change require anticipation of future changes. Mid- to long-term planning will therefore depend, at least in part, on model-based projections. Unlike the well-coordinated climate modelling community, the biodiversity modelling community is currently disparate and largely uncoordinated. Hence, there are no agreed metrics of biodiversity produced as standard output from models, nor are there common datasets used for calibration and validation by modelling efforts. This Action facilitates the harmonization of current models and datasets of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity to improve the reliability of future projections of biodiversity change. This cross-community initiative aims to accelerate the development of transparent and scientifically robust biodiversity models, through validation, calibration and intercomparison of models and data, and ultimately to enable environmental decision making based on state-of-the-art projections of biodiversity change under various policy options.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18006","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18006","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":341,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1105 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cyanobacterial blooms and toxins in water resources: Occurrence, impacts and management","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ambrose Furey (IE)","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"11\/04\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"10\/04\/2016","Keywords":"Cyanobacteria; Health risks; Toxins; Risk management ","ProjectAbstract":"Toxigenic cyanobacteria are one of the main health risks associated with European water resources. They produce a wide range of potent toxins with adverse health effects on humans and animals exposed to them via drinking water, aquaculture and recreation. European research in the field has generated significant risk management capability, although this is regionally unbalanced. This proposal aims to transfer this knowledge and know-how to all European regions: widening awareness, spreading relevant technical competence, and sharing risk management expertise. The proposal aims to provide tools to end-users (public authorities, water utilities, aquaculture, tourism and recreation sectors) by pooling and coordinating expertise throughout Europe and to harmonize methods and practices across Europe, thereby protecting public health, enterprises and investments. This Action arrival is extremely timely because new challenges in the field have appeared recently including emerging toxins and cyanobacterial species hitherto unknown in Europe, plus the preparation of new legislation and regulations in some European countries.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18007","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18007","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":342,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1106 ","ProjectAcronym":"EURO-AGRIWAT","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of EUROpean AGRIculture WATer use and trade under climate change (EURO-AGRIWAT) ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Nicholas Holden (IE); Thomas Curran (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"18\/04\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"17\/04\/2016","Keywords":"Water Footprint (WF); Virtual Water Trade (VWT); Future Climate; Efficient water resource management","ProjectAbstract":"The COST Action EURO-AGRIWAT will focus on the assessment of water footprint (WF) and virtual water trade (VWT) of key food and no-food agricultural products, including their uncertainties, as well as scenarios concerning WF and VWT under future climatic conditions. The use of advanced tools and data such as remote sensing, updated climatic databases, climatic projections\/scenarios and agrometeorological models represents the base of the activity. The use of such instruments will allow a detailed analysis of interactions between crops, climate and management that will be taken into account in the WF assessment. An important component of the Action will be the preparation and dissemination of recommendations and guidelines for enabling a more efficient water resource management in relation with agricultural activities under climate change and variability. The framework of a COST Action represents the most suitable way for facing the outstanding and multi-faceted problem of sustainable water use, being characterized by a non-competitive and interdisciplinary environment of high scientific level. These features will allow a collaboration between scientists and stakeholders and the development of common strategies to broaden the available research expertise.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18008","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18008","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":343,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1201","ProjectAcronym":"NETLAKE","ProjectTitle":"Networking Lake Observatories in Europe (NETLAKE)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eleanor Jennings (IE); Elvira de Eyto (IE); Brian Mac Domhnaill","Institution":"Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT); Marine Institute; National Federation of Group Water Schemes","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"30\/10\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"29\/10\/2016","Keywords":"European Lakes; Resources; Data Integration; Networking","ProjectAbstract":"Lakes represent important resources within Europe, providing drinking water, hydroelectric power, flood control, recreation and fisheries. Developments in sensor technology now allow high-resolution monitoring of lakes and reservoirs from in-situ platforms, with the data provided to local end-users by web-based technology. The information acquired by these systems is currently reviewed on a site-by-site basis, but an even greater potential lies in the integration of data from many sites into a European network. Barriers to the development of such a network include, for example, a lack of information on the number of sites currently monitored, and the need for standardisation in data collection, processing and quality control. The over-arching objective of NETLAKE is to establish a network of scientists, technologists, managers and stakeholders focused on the development and application of cutting-edge sensor technology for the protection of European lakes and reservoirs. Deliverables will include a meta-database of instrumented sites, case studies on management-relevant topics, data analysis tools, and a citizen science programme to involve local communities in the protection of water resources. The key deliverable, however, will be the establishment of the NETLAKE network itself, bridging communication gaps between researchers, policy makers and managers, and between scientists and local communities.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18009","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18009","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":344,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1202","ProjectAcronym":"Water_2020","ProjectTitle":"Conceiving Wastewater Treatment in 2020 - Energetic, environmental and economic challenges (Water_2020) ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mark Healy (IE); Eoin Syron (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); Oxymem ltd","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"21\/11\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"20\/11\/2016","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Nanomaterials; Sustainability; Networking","ProjectAbstract":"This Action brings together leading professionals working on complementary areas of wastewater treatment (WWT) at Research Institutions, Industries and Water Agencies from 17 European countries. The Action will tackle current challenges of WWT, which apart from generating high quality water and sludge, must incorporate issues as resource recovery, energy, odours, greenhouse gases, emerging contaminants, economical efficiency and social acceptance. Thus, the conception of sustainable wastewater treatment plants by 2020 (Water_2020) has to be based on a holistic approach, in which a plant-wide (i.e. including all the inputs and outputs), multi-disciplinary (i.e. with technical, environmental, social and economical considerations) and flexible (i.e. depending on the geographical and socio-economic situation) perspective is included. Research in the water sector is quite fragmented, with scientist working on specific disciplines, and innovation in many countries is hindered due to lack of initiative or confidence. COST Action offers the perfect framework to overcome these barriers by creating a network in which excellent water professionals from different stakeholders and disciplines will cooperate and exchange knowledge. Annual workshops, semi-annual meetings, training schools, a discussion platform and short-term scientific missions will be used as instruments for reaching this effective network. The main deliverables that will be obtained include a book produced by reputable publishers with clear guidance for Water_2020, as well as a Decision Support System for the selection of the best alternatives for each specific economic, legal and social requirement. COST Action will allow setting up a strong European network, including Early-Stage Researchers (ESR), whose results will be disseminated to the scientific community, water industry, policy makers and society, as the issues implies environmental (water and air pollution), economic (reduce operational costs through resource recovery and energetic self-sufficiency) and social (safer water) concerns.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18010","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18010","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":345,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1205 ","ProjectAcronym":"ENTER","ProjectTitle":"The transfer of engineered nanomaterials from wastewater treatment & stormwater to rivers","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Peter Croot (IE); Xinmin Zhan (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"05\/04\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"04\/04\/2017","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Knowledge gaps; Urban water cycle; Public communication","ProjectAbstract":"Concerning the transfer of Engineered Nanomaterials from wastewater Treatment & stormwatEr to Rivers (ENTER) the following issues require clarification: (i) which and (ii) what amounts of Engineered NanoMaterials (ENMs) are released, (iii) how persistent are they and (iv) to what extent do they cause in situ toxicity? Reasons for knowledge gaps are a lack of suitable analytical methods, insufficient databases on usage and release, and the absence of comprehensive monitoring networks. ENTER will help to advance scientific knowledge on release and fate of ENMs in the urban water cycle and to communicate expert knowledge in an appropriate manner to the non-scientific community. ENTER will break down barriers between scientific and public pressure groups by an intensified scientific exchange via, e.g., the position papers. The ENTER products are needed to improve the decision-making process by supporting end users such as politicians, the EU and national public servants. ENTER will clearly aid to advance the understanding on the transport and transformation processes of ENMs released to the urban wastewater systems and to understand the transfer of ENMs to the aquatic environment. This Action will improve the collaboration between scientists and the public by striking a new path towards an efficient knowledge exchange.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18011","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18011","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":346,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1306 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Connecting European connectivity research","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Tamara Hochstrasser (IE); Owen Fenton (IE)","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD); Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"10\/04\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"09\/04\/2018","Keywords":"Storm runoff; Soil erosion; Connectivity; Useable science","ProjectAbstract":"Successful prediction of pathways of storm runoff generation and associated soil erosion is of considerable societal importance, including off-site impacts such as water quality and the provision of related ecosystem services. Recently, the role of connectivity in controlling runoff and erosion has received significant and increasing scientific attention, though in a disparate and uncoordinated way. There is a wealth of experience and expertise in connectivity across Europe that could be harnessed to ensure that the potential already demonstrated in key studies can be more widely fulfilled; to move forward along agreed lines and identify emerging goals, and to benefit from cross-fertilization of ideas from the fields of Hydrology, Soil Science, Geomorphology and Ecology. COST is the appropriate vehicle for funding this activity because it will gather together existing expertise to advance the field of connectivity in a concerted way. The key benefit of this Action will therefore be to establish connectivity as a research paradigm. The Action will then permit transfer of current understanding into useable science, by developing it's conceptual basis and transferring it into a series of monitoring and modelling tools that will provide the platform for indices that will inform holistic management of catchment systems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18012","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18012","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":347,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1307 ","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Sewage biomarker analysis for community health assessment ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Regan (IE); Xinmin Zhan (IE)","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU); National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"14\/04\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"13\/04\/2018","Keywords":"Sewage; Biomarkers; Human metabolism; Communities","ProjectAbstract":"Sewage contains the excreted biomarkers of endogenous human metabolism that directly reflects the exposure and stressors placed upon an entire contributing community. The quantitative measurement of these specific biomarkers in sewage from communities allows the averaged patterns of factors related to lifestyle, disease and environment to be used for the assessment of community health. The Action will develop and expand an existing pan-European inter-disciplinary network, bringing together experts from relevant disciplines interested in the application and development of using the quantitative measurement of human biomarkers in sewage to evaluate lifestyle, health and exposure at the community level. In order to achieve its objectives the Action will manage a common Europe-wide testing platform that will develop best practice, provide a significant increase in the comparable spatio-temporal resolution of available data, coordinate the development of new biomarkers in sewage with focus on new psychoactive substances and new biomarkers for the community assessment of factors such as environment, health, lifestyle and diet, and integrate sewage-based approaches with other available metrics. The Action will have a major impact on the development of this emerging field and ensure that the technology is used in a responsible and effective manner and its potentially fully exploited in collaboration with end-users.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18013","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18013","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":348,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1309 ","ProjectAcronym":"OPTIMISE","ProjectTitle":"Innovative optical Tools for proximal sensing of ecophysiological processes ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Conor Cahalane (IE)","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"25\/04\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"24\/04\/2018","Keywords":"Carbon and Water Vapor Flux; Eddy Covariance; Data; Ecosystem functioning","ProjectAbstract":"Important European and international initiatives (SPECNET, BIOSPEC and COST Action ES0903) explored the use of proximal optical sensing of ecosystem where carbon and water vapor flux is estimated by eddy covariance techniques. Such optical observations provide data at the high spectral, temporal and spatial resolutions necessary to more fully comprehend the links between light use, plant physiology and ecosystem functioning and provide key validation datasets for satellite remote sensing, such as the Sentinel missions, and the flux communities. The recent advances in UAV platforms and optical sensors provide unprecedented opportunities for high spatial, spectral and multi-angular near-ground Earth observations. This will enable scientists to answer ecological and physiological questions at multiple scales through integrated empirical and modeling methods. Important progress is also being made in remote sensing of steady-state fluorescence, the most direct proxy for photosynthesis. The FLuorescence EXplorer (FLEX) mission, selected for further studies, will also benefit as this Action will support FLEX validation and calibrations campaigns. Furthermore, scientists have recognized the need to develop a 'smart' on-line platform to process and analyses optical data along with biophysical and water\/carbon flux measurements and share these with other scientific communities and stakeholders which will also be addressed in this Action.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18014","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18014","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":349,"ProjectCode":"ESSEM COST Action ES1403 ","ProjectAcronym":"NEREUS","ProjectTitle":"New and emerging challenges and opportunities in wastewater reuse ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Karl Richards (IE); Fiona Walsh","Institution":"Teagasc; National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"COST","ProjectStartDate":"07\/11\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"06\/11\/2018","Keywords":"Wastewater; Reuse; Sustainability; Microcontaminants","ProjectAbstract":"Wastewater reuse is currently considered globally as the most critical element of sustainable water management. Water scarcity, foreseen to aggravate, pushes for maximum utilization of non-conventional water. Although reuse is accompanied by a number of benefits, several potential drawbacks still puzzle scientists. The applied treatments fail to completely remove microcontaminants, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and\/or their genes (ARB&Gs). Knowledge on the actual effects of reuse with regard to these aspects is currently not consolidated. This Action will answer critical questions through a European multidisciplinary network, structured in interactive Working Groups (WGs), to achieve: a) identification of the microbiome and mobile antibiotic resistome in treated wastewater, b) assessment of the potential for uptake\/transmission of microcontaminants and ARB&Gs in crops, c) determination of effect-based bioassays required for wastewater reuse, d) identification of efficient\/economically viable technologies able to meet the current challenges and, e) development of a relevant risk assessment and policy framework. The Action will establish criteria on technologies\/assessment methods for wastewater treatment and suggest new effluent quality criteria to overcome current barriers and safeguard the reuse practice. The Action will have a major impact on the enhancement of sustainable wastewater reuse in light of current challenges at technological, economical and societal level.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18015","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18015","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":350,"ProjectCode":"FP7-JPROG-2012-RTD","ProjectAcronym":"WatEUr","ProjectTitle":"Tackling European Water Challenges","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brian Donlon (IE) Alice Wemaere (IE)","Institution":"Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2016","Keywords":"Freshwater; Economy; Water challenges; Funding","ProjectAbstract":"Water is a critical resource for the European society. Beside its main life function, freshwater also provides many other functions essential to our economy such as transport, energy provision, heat exchange, cleaning, washing, and constitutes a necessary raw material for many industries. Water availability in sufficient quantities and adequate quality is an issue of highest priority and represents a pan-European and global societal challenge. Water challenges cannot be successfully tackled through the isolated effort of individual national research and innovation programmes. A significant share (more than 70%) of public spending in water research and technology development is programmed, executed and evaluated at national level. This project aims at developing a coordinated and strategic approach to public national and regional research and innovation funding in Europe. The project runs from January 2013 to December 2015 and involves 17 institutions in 14 partner countries. Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda The Water Joint programming Initiative has launched its Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda in May 2013. It is a collective, shared and forward-looking exercise identifying and prioritising directions for Research, Development and Innovation (RDI).","ProjectWebsite":"www.waterjpi.eu\/water-jpi","InternalProjectID":"18016","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18016","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":351,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2007-2.2-01","ProjectAcronym":"EURO ARGO","ProjectTitle":"Global ocean observing infrastructure","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Glen Nolan (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"30\/06\/2011","Keywords":"Ocean Observatory; Floats; Monitoring; Climate","ProjectAbstract":"The Euro-Argo infrastructure will be a major component of the Argo global in situ ocean observatory. The Argo network is a global array of autonomous instruments measuring temperature and salinity over the upper 2000 m of the ocean. Argo is an indispensable component of the Global Ocean Observing System required to understand and monitor the role of the ocean in the Earth's climate system. Argo must be considered in its ensemble: not only the instruments, but also the logistics necessary for their preparation and deployments, field operations, the associated data streams and data centres. Euro-Argo will develop and progressively consolidate the European component of the global network. Specific European interest also requires a somewhat increased sampling in regional seas. Overall, the Euro-Argo infrastructure should comprise 800 floats in operation at any given time. The maintenance of such an array would require Europe to deploy about 250 floats per year. The main objective of the Euro-Argo preparatory phase will be to undertake the preparatory work needed to ensure that by 2010 Europe will be able to deploy and operate an array of 800 floats and to provide a world-level service to the research (climate) and environment monitoring (e.g. GMES) communities.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18017","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18017","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":352,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2007-2.2-01","ProjectAcronym":"KM3NET-PP","ProjectTitle":"Preparatory phase for a deep sea facility in the Mediterranean for neutrino astronomy and associated sciences","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Cecil Keaveney (IE)","Institution":"Dublin Institute for Adanced Studies","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"29\/02\/2012","Keywords":"European deep-sea infrastructure; Preparatory Phase; Design study; Telescope","ProjectAbstract":"In the framework of the KM3NeT Preparatory Phase project the strategic, legal and financial issues are addressed related to the construction of an European deep-sea infrastructure housing a cubic kilometre size Cherenkov neutrino telescope and providing access for deep-sea research. Many technical issues are already addressed in the KM3NeT Design Study, started in 2006, that at the end of its work will deliver a Technical Design Report for the KM3NeT Cherenkov neutrino telescope. KM3NeT has been included in the ESFRI European Roadmap for Research Infrastructures. The Preparatory Phase will provide the grounds to bring the project to its construction stage. The Consortium performing the Preparatory Phase will include the participants involved in the KM3NeT DS. The major stakeholders are present. The work performed in the Preparatory Phase will be structured in work packages aimed at addressing the following issues: political convergence towards a pan European facility; legal, governance and financial engineering; strategic issues and international networking; integration with regional and global marine and environmental systems (i.e. EMSO); preparing the production of the telescope components and the assembly and test of the system; definition of the data handling and dissemination scheme, and the operation of KM3NeT.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18018","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18018","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":353,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2008-1.1.1","ProjectAcronym":"EUROFLEETS","ProjectTitle":"Towards an alliance of European research fleets","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bernie Ni Chonghaile (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"31\/08\/2013","Keywords":"Infrastructure; Marine research; Fleets; Cost Effective","ProjectAbstract":"The quality of the infrastructures available for marine research affects directly Europe research performance. So marine research infrastructures are considered as key elements of the European Strategy for Marine Research under development. A coherent pan-European approach with enhanced partnership in investment, development and usage of fleets, will have a significant impact to better meet the diverse needs of European marine research. The EUROFLEETS process is based on the recommendations of a recent MB-ESF report. It aims at bringing together the European research fleets owners to enhance their coordination and promote the cost-effective use of their facilities. It will support research services for the monitoring and the sustainable management of the Regional Seas and the Oceans, and will organise a common access to all European scientists on sole condition of scientific excellence. This would enable the EU to reach its ambitious goals about maintaining the ocean biodiversity or understanding climate change. EUROFLEETS aims at: *Working upon common procurement strategy, and build corresponding roadmap on prospective sound bases, *Structuring and durably coordinating, through an e-platform, the way that the research vessels are operated and their interoperability capacities, *Using more cost efficiently the existing European fleets and associated equipment in the frame of the European research Area, *Promoting greener and sustainable research vessel and underwater vehicle operations and design, *Providing all European researchers with access to 19 high performing research vessels from 15 different countries, *Fostering coordinated and joint development of European fleets, thanks to new interoperable software and underwater vehicle payloads, *Developing training and education at sea, *Promoting innovative e-access, *Participating to the European efforts to stay at first rank in the international scientific arena.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18019","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18019","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":354,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2010-1.1.16","ProjectAcronym":"ACTRIS","ProjectTitle":"Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research Infrastructure Network ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Roger Sweetman (IE)","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2015","Keywords":"Atmosphere; Climate change; Clouds; Research Infrastructure","ProjectAbstract":"Climate change is for a large part governed by atmospheric processes, in particular the interaction between radiation and atmospheric components (e.g. aerosols, clouds, greenhouse and trace gases). Some of these components are also those with adverse health effects influencing air quality. Strengthening the ground-based component of the Earth Observing System for these key atmospheric variables has unambiguously been asserted in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report and Thematic Strategy on air pollution of the EU. However, a coordinated research infrastructure for these observations is presently lacking. ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network) aims to fill this observational gap through the coordination of European ground-based network of stations equipped with advanced atmospheric probing instrumentation for aerosols, clouds and short-lived trace gases. ACTRIS is a coordinated network that contributes to: providing long-term observational data relevant to climate and air quality research produced with standardized or comparable procedures; supporting transnational access to large infrastructures strengthening collaboration in and outside the EU and access to high quality information and services to the user communities; developing new integration tools to fully exploit the use of atmospheric techniques at ground-based stations, in particular for the calibration\/validation\/integration of satellite sensors and for the improvement of global and regional-scale climate and air quality models. ACTRIS supports training of new users in particular young scientists in the field of atmospheric observations and promotes the development of new technologies for atmospheric observation of aerosols, clouds and trace gases through close partnership with SMEs. ACTRIS will have the essential role to support integrated research actions in Europe for building the scientific knowledge required to support policy issues on air quality and climate change.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18020","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18020","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":355,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2010-1.1.23","ProjectAcronym":"MaRINET","ProjectTitle":"Marine renewables infrastructure network for emerging energy technologies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David O'Connell (IE); Eoin Sweeney (IE)","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC); The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2015","Keywords":"Wave energy; Wind turbines; Commercialization; Infrastructure","ProjectAbstract":"Offshore Renewable Conversion systems are mostly at the pre-commercial stage of development. They comprise wave energy and tidal stream converters as well as offshore wind turbines for electrical generation. These devices require research to be undertaken at a series of scales along the path to commercialization. Each technology type is currently at a different stage of development but each one also needs specific research infrastructures to facilitate and catalyze commercialization. The aim of this project is to coordinate research and development at all scales (small models through to prototype scales from Laboratory through to Open Sea tests) and to allow access for researchers and developers into facilities which are not available universally in Europe. The linking together of facilities at different scales together with the incorporation of test facilities for components such as power take-off systems, grid integration, moorings, environmental tests will ensure a focusing of activities in this area. MaRINET brings together an Infrastructure with 42 Facilities from 28 Partners spread across 11 EU countries and 1 ICPC, Brazil. It also brings together a network of expertise in the Offshore Marine Renewable Energy sector with experience at all scales of offshore technology research and development. MaRINET offers over 600 weeks of access to 300 projects and 800 external users. The majority (77%) of the MaRINET budget has been targeted in the areas most prioritized in the EC Call such as networking, training, dissemination and transnational access.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.fp7-marinet.eu","InternalProjectID":"18021","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18021","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":356,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2011-1.1.14","ProjectAcronym":"SEADATANET II","ProjectTitle":"SeaDataNet II: Pan-European infrastructure for ocean and marine data management","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eoin O'Grady (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/2015","Keywords":"Update infrastructure; Marine research; Data management; Network","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of the SeaDataNet II project is to upgrade the present SeaDataNet infrastructure into an operationally robust and state-of-the-art Pan-European infrastructure for providing up-to-date and high quality access to ocean and marine metadata, data and data products originating from data acquisition activities by all engaged coastal states, by setting, adopting and promoting common data management standards and by realising technical and semantic interoperability with other relevant data management systems and initiatives on behalf of science, environmental management, policy making, and economy. SeaDataNet is undertaken by the National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs), and marine information services of major research institutes, from 31 coastal states bordering the European seas, and also includes Satellite Data Centres, expert modelling centres and the international organisations IOC, ICES and EU-JRC in its network. Its 40 data centres are highly skilled and have been actively engaged in data management for many years and have the essential capabilities and facilities for data quality control, long term stewardship, retrieval and distribution. SeaDataNet II will undertake activities to achieve data access and data products services that meet requirements of end-users and intermediate user communities, such as GMES Marine Core Services (e.g. MyOcean), establishing SeaDataNet as the core data management component of the EMODNet infrastructure and contributing on behalf of Europe to global portal initiatives, such as the IOC\/IODE - Ocean Data Portal (ODP), and GEOSS. Moreover it aims to achieve INSPIRE compliance and to contribute to the INSPIRE process for developing implementing rules for oceanography.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18022","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18022","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":357,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2011-3.2","ProjectAcronym":"SIDERI","ProjectTitle":"Strengthening International Dimension of Euro-Argo Research Infrastructure","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Grant (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2013","Keywords":"Infrastructure; Coordination; Martime; Euro-Argo","ProjectAbstract":"The objective of this project is to strengthen the links and integration of the Euro-Argo European research infrastructure into the Argo International strategy of global ocean observations, and to seek participation by, and to develop cooperation with, potential participants in the European neighbouring areas which have a maritime interest. The following activities are planned: *Work on the evolution of the Argo core mission together with international partners (O2, bio-geochemical sensors, deep floats, extension to polar and marginal seas), *Work on the evolution of the Argo data centers (Delayed Mode Quality Control of the North Atlantic ARC and Southern Ocean Argo Regional Center) and role of the European components, *Refine the float deployment strategy in Europe and international seas and links with international partners, *making the interfaces with JCOMMOPS and rgo information center (AIC), *working on legal aspects and policy issues (law of the sea), *Organize scientific and thematic (regional) workshops open to international partners This project will be carried by the Euro-Argo preparatory phase project partners that will form the future partners of the Euro-Argo ERIC.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18023","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18023","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":358,"ProjectCode":"INFRA-2012-1.1.12","ProjectAcronym":"EUROFLEETS2","ProjectTitle":"New operational steps towards an alliance of European research fleets","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Gillooly (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"28\/02\/2017","Keywords":"Research Vessels; Methodology; Coordination; Cost-effective","ProjectAbstract":"EUROFLEETS2 is the enhancement of EUROFLEETS1, with the aim of developing a new pan-European distributed infrastructure with common strategic vision and coordinated access to Research Vessels (RVs) and marine equipment. EUROFLEETS2 will furthermore undertake specific actions to consolidate research fleets' organization, methodology and tools through operational initiatives (like virtual fleets) leading to more interoperable and cost effective European research fleets. EUROFLEETS2 main objectives are: *Promotion of operational coordination and integration of RVs. Modern European RVs are made accessible under EUROFLEETS2 (8 of Ocean\/Global class and 14 of Regional class) plus 6 mobile pieces of equipment. Further integration is proposed within an innovative multi-platform experiment. The corresponding call aims to identify a flagship proposal, with a proven scientific excellence; *Completion of strategic perspectives for the European research fleets with a polar component; *Promotion of exchanges of mobile equipment on board European RVs to foster interoperability; *Enhancing the impact of research fleets on innovation by fostering the involvement of industry in specific activities, both as end user (e.g. development and testing of new equipment or deep-sea exploration for new resources) or as supplier; *Development of new training actions including a pilot floating university, and of new technological innovations to be widely used on board European RVs; *Making a new step towards a long term sustainable group of European Regional RVs with a view to applying for its insertion into the ESFRI roadmap.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18024","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18024","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":359,"ProjectCode":"INFRASTR-2.1","ProjectAcronym":"SEADATANET","ProjectTitle":"SEADATANET - A Pan-European Infrastructure for Ocean and Marine Data Management","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eoin O'Grady (IE)","Institution":"Marine Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2011","Keywords":"Marine Research; Data management; Networking; Communication","ProjectAbstract":"Data availability is of vital importance for marine research but most of the European data are fragmented, not always validated and not easily accessible. In the 40 countries bordering the European seas, more than 600 scientific laboratories from governmental organizations and private industry collect data by using various sensors on board of research vessels, submarines, fixed and drifting platforms, airplanes and satellites to measure physical, geophysical, geological, biological and chemical parameters, biological species etc. SEADATANET aims to develop an efficient distributed Pan-European Marine Data Management Infrastructure for managing these large and diverse data sets. The objective is to network the existing professional data centres of 35 countries, active in data collection, and provide integrated databases of standardized quality on-line. The on-line access to in-situ and remote sensing data, meta-data and products will be provided through a unique portal interconnecting, in the first phase, 11 interoperable node platforms. The development and adoption of common communication standards and adapted technology will ensure the platforms interoperability. This activity will be developed to gradually connect all the other data centres to the interoperable system. The quality, compatibility and coherence of the data issuing from so many sources, will be ensured by adopting standardized methodologies for data checking, by dedicating part of the activities to training and preparation of synthesised regional and global statistical gridded products from the most comprehensive in-situ and remote sensing data sets made available by the participants. These products, easier to interpret by non-specialist users, will be used first to check the data and the system operability, and further to market SEADATANET and to serve a wider range of uses than raw data: e.g. model initialisation, industrial projects and teaching.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18025","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18025","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":360,"ProjectCode":"INFRASTR-4","ProjectAcronym":"KM3NET","ProjectTitle":"Design Study for a Deep Sea Facility in the Mediterranean for Neutrino Astronomy and Associated Sciences ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Felix Aharonian (IE)","Institution":"Dublin Institute for Adanced Studies","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2006","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2009","Keywords":"Deep-sea Infrastructure; Neutrino Telescope; Infrastructure; Design Study","ProjectAbstract":"In the framework of the 3-year KM3NeT Design Study the scientific and technical design issues related to a future cubic-kilometre sized deep-sea infrastructure housing a next-generation neutrino telescope and providing long-term access for deep-sea research is assessed. The major deliverable of the Design Study is a technical design report (TDR) for the envisaged infrastructure. Legal, governance and political aspects are addressed in parallel with the scientific and technical work. The consortium performing the Design Study consists of 25 participants from Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, amongst them all institutes involved in the existing pilot projects in the Mediterranean Sea (ANTARES, NEMO, NESTOR) and several institutes specialised in deep-sea technology and science. The work to be performed in the Design Study is structured in nine work packages (WPs): WP1 is devoted to the management of the Design Study and its overall coordination. WP2 is concerned with evaluating the physics sensitivity of the neutrino telescope depending on its geometry, the site parameters and the component characteristics and will provide input for sensitivity optimisation with respect to cost. WP3 addresses the design of the photo sensor modules, the mechanical structures and the calibration system, whereas WP4 covers data acquisition, transport and online processing. In WP5 the site characteristics, the sea-bottom infrastructure, the deep-sea and deployment operations and the shore facilities are studied. Possibilities to use floating platforms for deployment and calibration purposes are investigated in WP6. In WP7, an appropriate quality assurance programme for the future construction of the infrastructure is developed and risk assessment studies are performed. The funding, legal, governance and political aspects are pursued in WP8.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18026","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18026","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":361,"ProjectCode":"LIFE00 NAT\/IRL\/007128","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Termoncarragh - Restoration Management for Annex I Birds at Termoncarragh Lake SPA ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Oran O'Sullivan (IE)","Institution":"BirdWatch Ireland; Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2001","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2005","Keywords":"Agriculture; Grassland ecosystem; Lake; Conservation","ProjectAbstract":"Background: Termoncarragh Lake is located on the Mullet peninsula in western Ireland amid extensive machair grassland. This coastal freshwater lake and its surrounding areas are of importance for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl, including the barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) and the Greenland white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons flavirostris). The corn crake (Crex crex) also uses the area occasionally, and there is a high potential for restoration of suitable habitat for this priority species. Annagh Marsh is a small coastal machair site, just south of Termoncarragh Lake, and within the Special Protection Area (SPA). It was until recently the only regular Irish breeding site for the red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus). The economic mainstay for the district is low-intensity agriculture within small holdings. It is essentially based on subsidies, with low returns on the sale of farming produce. An estimated 75 percent of farmers were in the national Irish scheme for EU agri-environment subsidies, called REPS, in 2000. Yet here was the paradox: this scheme, it was thought, might be hindering rather than encouraging the conservation of the local birdlife, due to a lack of awareness of species' needs, negative attitudes among farmers to site designation, inadequate linkages between farming and conservation and a lack of suitable demonstration areas for bird-friendly management. Objectives: The intention of the LIFE-Nature project was to turn the constraints facing farmers into an opportunity, both for the birds and for the local community, by demonstrating that Natura 2000 can be a positive element in realising potential socio-economic benefits for disadvantaged rural regions. Using Termoncarragh Lake and Annagh Marsh as focal points, the project aimed to restore and manage BirdWatch Ireland land and establish management agreements with local landowners on surrounding machair and farmland. Important land would be purchased, breeding birds monitored and action and management plans developed. This aimed ultimately to protect the habitats and create ideal conditions for Annex I breeding and wintering birds, The project thus hoped to demonstrate best practice to be taken on board during the mid-term review of REPS 2, so as to add a more targeted habitat enhancement dimension to the agri-environment scheme with appropriate conservation prescriptions for species and habitats in SPAs and pSCIs. This work would be accompanied by a positive information campaign to counteract previous negative perceptions of Natura 2000 designations and to encourage further uptake of the new REPS scheme.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.birdwatchireland.ie\/Ourwork\/Reserves\/EULIFEprojects\/Termoncarragh\/tabid\/225\/Default.aspx","InternalProjectID":"18027","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18027","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":362,"ProjectCode":"LIFE03 ENV\/IRL\/000312","ProjectAcronym":"Duck slurry","ProjectTitle":"Duck slurry - Development of a Processing Plant for Recycling of Duck Slurry ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Raphael Mc Evoy (IE)","Institution":"Silver Hill Foods","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2003","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2005","Keywords":"Freshwater; Anthropogenic pressure; Agriculture; Diffuse pollution ","ProjectAbstract":"Background: The pollution of rivers and lakes is one of the major environmental problems in Ireland. Over the past 25 years the national monitoring programme of the Environmental Protection Agency has shown that waterways in Ireland suffer from widespread, though moderate, eutrophication. Surveys have shown the agriculture sector to be the major contributor to this problem because of the run-off of nitrogen and phosphorus from land spreading of animal wastes and artificial fertiliser. All animal slurries in Ireland are disposed of on land. This is acceptable where soil and climate conditions are suitable and the slurry application rate is managed in accordance with nutrient management plans. In the northeast Ireland around Silver Hill Foods the land has a poor capacity for sustainable application of animal slurries. Unfavourable factors include the hilly nature of the land, the wet climate and the presence of numerous streams and lakes. Because the land is generally poor and conventional extensive farming is uneconomical, farmers in the region have focused on intensive rearing of livestock, particularly poultry and pigs. Thus the region with the lowest potential for assimilation of animal wastes on land has the highest level of intensive animal production and the greatest production of animal slurries. Soil surveys have shown that existing nutrient levels in farmland are already very high from years of overloading with animal manures. The levels of water contamination in rivers in the area are such that virtually no expansion of intensive agriculture is now permitted in this area. The local authority for the area, Monaghan County Council, has established a task force to address the problem of sustainable disposal of animal and other organic wastes in the county. The quantity of waste arising at Silver Hill Foods (around 70,000 tonnes per year) and the quantity of land required for sustainable application (more than 3,000 ha) are such that the disposal operations pose a threat to water quality over a large area. Most of the land utilised for this purpose is over the nearby border with the UK and within the catchment area of Lough Neagh. This lake serves as the source of drinking water for Belfast and a number of other cities in Northern Ireland. As the largest lake in Ireland, it is also very important as a fishery and for tourism and leisure. Thus the application of an alternative technology to farm slurry disposal will contribute to an environmental improvement in two countries. In addition, the long-term storage of animal slurries in anaerobic lagoons causes the release of large quantities of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Ireland has signed the Kyoto Convention and because its greenhouse gas emissions are already above the required limits it must take firm action to reduce emissions below current levels. The widespread application of anaerobic digestion to farm wastes would make a valuable contribution to the goal of meeting national limits on greenhouse gases. Objectives: The aims of the project were to: *Develop a sustainable, cost-effective mechanism for the processing of duck slurry into a solid fertiliser. *Eliminate the potential problem of diffuse water contamination from existing land spreading operations. *Demonstrate a full-scale working model of the application of new technology to the management of animal wastes. *Reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from storage and transport of duck slurry and, indirectly, from manufacture of artificial fertiliser. *Improve relationships with Environmental Regulatory Authorities in Ireland and the United Kingdom.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.silverhillfoodslife-env.com\/","InternalProjectID":"18028","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18028","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":363,"ProjectCode":"LIFE03 NAT\/IRL\/000107","ProjectAcronym":"Waterbirds","ProjectTitle":"Waterbirds - Restoration and management of the Murrough wetlands for Annex I Habitats and Waterbirds ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Oran O'Sullivan (IE)","Institution":"BirdWatch Ireland","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/07\/2003","ProjectEndDate":"30\/12\/2007","Keywords":"Drainage system; Agriculture; Wetland; Conservation","ProjectAbstract":"Background: Ireland has a long history of damage to wetlands caused by drainage and agricultural reclamation. The Murrough Wetlands pSCI on the coast of County Wicklow, to the south of Dublin, was also degraded and this, in turn, reduced the habitat available for wildfowl, such as the Annex I species Anser albifrons flavirostris. The Murrough Wetlands pSCI is a long but narrow coastal wetland complex, bounded on its seaward side by a shingle ridge, stretching for 15 km but only up to 1 km deep. Within this overall site lies the Kilcoole Marshes SPA and the Broad Lough SPA. General threats to the wetland habitats came from drainage, afforestation and a lack of grazing regimes, leading to drier conditions and a loss of biodiversity. The LIFE project, whilst focusing restoration effort on one part of the overall site, which would be purchased at the start of the project, would also help to promote conservation needs across the whole site. Although relatively small-scale, it would be a demonstration at national level of the potential for reversing damage to wetlands in Ireland. Objective: The LIFE-Nature project aimed to restore and manage wetland habitat to create ideal conditions for Annex I birds and to improve the integrity of the largest wetland complex on the east coast of Ireland. BirdWatch Ireland was to purchase a 89 ha site within the Murrough Wetlands pSCI for the restoration of Annex I calcareous fens and for positive management for the Annex I bird species Anser albifrons flavirostris, Cygnus cygnus, Alcedo atthis and Egretta garzetta. Part of the land to be purchased, outside the pSCI at the beginning of the project, would be added to the Natura 2000 site. Following restoration, it was expected that the project area would support Annex I birds in sufficient numbers for the Kilcoole Marshes SPA to be expanded. In addition to consolidating the site through purchase, improved habitat would be delivered through seasonally raising water levels, implementing a seasonal grazing regime, scrub control and clearing and reprofiling the drainage ditches. Through interpretation and controlled public access, the project aimed to increase awareness of the conservation value of the wider area and the purpose and value of Natura 2000 designation. It also sought to demonstrate the potential for economic benefits for local communities through environmental designations.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.birdwatchireland.ie\/Default.aspx?tabid=226","InternalProjectID":"18029","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18029","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":364,"ProjectCode":"LIFE04 NAT\/IE\/000121","ProjectAcronym":"RRBI","ProjectTitle":"RRBI - Restoring raised bogs in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Philip Murphy (IE)","Institution":"Coillte Teoranta - The Irish Forestry Board","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2004","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/2008","Keywords":"Drainage system; Ecological assessment; Conservation; Wetlands ecosystem","ProjectAbstract":"Background: The peatlands of the Irish Midlands are among the most important raised-bog systems remaining in Europe. Raised-bog habitat was once extensive in Ireland, covering an estimated 310 000 ha. However, before their ecological value was apprecitated, peatlands were considered wastelands, which should be converted to more productive uses. Their total area was reduced to a mere 18 000 ha. Most of the loss has been through the extraction of peat for household fuel, electricity production and the manufacture of horticultural products. Afforestation has also resulted in habitat loss, but on a smaller scale, with about 2% of the original peatland area planted. Coillte initiated a Nature Conservation Strategy in 1999, taking into account national and European biodiversity and nature conservation requirements. Since 1997, 11,831 ha of high raised bog has been proposed for designation in candidate SACs under the EU Habitats Directive (92\/43\/EEC). The company has also run the following three LIFE Nature projects: 02 NAT\/IRL\/8490 Restoring Active Blanket Bog in Ireland 04 NAT\/IE\/121 Restoring Raised Bogs in Ireland 05 NAT\/IRL\/182 Restoring Priority Woodland Habitats in Ireland. Objectives: This LIFE Nature project aimed to restore 571 ha of raised bog on 14 sites in the central plain of Ireland to a favourable conservation status. Furthermore, by extending the area of raised bog, the project sought to enlarge the area free from the effects of afforestation and thus increase the likelihood of recolonisation with Annex 1 habitat types. The project intended to target the effects of the cutting of turf from peatland for fuel and damage from trespassing livestock. It also planned to reduce hazard risks for adjoining landowners and the risks of fire damage to the project sites, notably through vegetation clearance on vulnerable high risk perimeter areas. The project hoped to have a demonstration role, particularly for forest managers, showing effective techniques for bogland restoration on afforested sites, principally tree removal and drain blocking. Dissemination of the project results both nationally and throughout the EU would also hope to increase current knowledge in the area of afforested bogland restoration. ","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.raisedbogrestoration.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"18030","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18030","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":365,"ProjectCode":"LIFE07 NAT\/IRL\/000341","ProjectAcronym":"CAISIE","ProjectTitle":"CAISIE - Control of aquatic invasive species and restoration of natural communities in Ireland ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bryan Deegan (IE)","Institution":"Inland Fisheries Ireland ","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"31\/01\/2013","Keywords":"Aquatic Invasive species; Biodiversity; Lough Corrib; Conservation","ProjectAbstract":"Background: Lough Corrib is an internationally renowned brown trout fishery in western Ireland. It is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive. It incorporates 14 habitats listed on Annex I of the Habitats Directive (notably, \"Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.\") and is home a range of Annex II species, including sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) and the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). The Grand Canal - Barrow Line is a man-made watercourse stretching across Ireland from Dublin to the River Shannon and southwards down to the River Barrow. Taken together, it supports rich and diverse floral and faunal communities, including such Annex II species as the opposite-leaved pondweed (Groenlandia densa), the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) and the European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis). However, aquatic invasive species (AIS) have, in recent years, become a major threat to the biodiversity of these ecosystems. They impact both directly and indirectly on habitats and species of Community interest as well as carrying additional risks including exacerbating the impact of flooding events and negatively impacting upon the recreational use of waterways Their adverse impact will continue to increase and spread to other linked water bodies unless effective eradication and control methods are developed. In Lough Corrib, curly-leaved waterweed (Lagarosiphon major) spread rapidly throughout the lake since first appearing in 2005 threatening its ecological integrity (notably the keystone Chara habitat) and conservation status. The shallow character of many areas of this large water body made it highly susceptible to invasion. In the Grand Canal and Barrow Line waterway, three highly invasive plant species Nuttall's pondweed (Elodea nuttallii), New Zealand pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii) and water fern (Azolla filiculoides) have also become established in recent years. Objectives: The overall objective of this LIFE+ Biodiversity project was to contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity in Irish freshwater ecosystems by preventing further impacts on native biodiversity from high impact aquatic invasive species. It specifically aimed to develop and demonstrate new and effective control methods, particularly for submerged aquatic species. Site specific objectives were: *The eradication of curly-leaved waterweed from Lough Corrib using a number of methods over three seasons; *The prevention of further spread of three AIS by implementing control measures in a key dispersal corridor of the Grand Canal and Barrow Line, including mechanical removal and targeted herbicide application. The project planned to investigate boating as a vector in the spreading of species, quantify the impact on native communities of the removal of invasive species and undertake laboratory testing of potential biological control mechanisms. The project sought to collect data on effective control methods and develop guidelines for effective aquatic invasive species management to be exchanged and disseminated through links with policy makers and similar control teams in other locations. Key additional objectives were around developing an effective programme of stakeholder engagement and awareness-raising. By building capacity on invasive species control and remediation of native biotic communities by transplantation of native species from unimpacted areas, the project hoped to contribute to the protection of biodiversity in Ireland and the European target to halt biodiversity loss by 2020.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/caisie.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"18031","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18031","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":366,"ProjectCode":"LIFE07 NAT\/IRL\/000342","ProjectAcronym":"IShannonSACLAEO ","ProjectTitle":"IShannonSACLAEO - Restoration of the Lr.Shannon SAC for Sea lamprey, Atlantic salmon and European otter ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ruairi O Conchuir (IE)","Institution":"Inland Fisheries Ireland; Limerick County Council","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2014","Keywords":"Protected area; Biodiversity; Wetland; Restoration measure","ProjectAbstract":"Background: The project will focus on the river Mulkear, which forms part of the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The site is important for sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), European otter (Lutra lutra), river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilus) and brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) of which the first three species are being targeted by this project. The conservation status of the site has, over the years, come increasingly under pressure because of an extended period of mismanagement of both the river itself and its catchment. Since the 1850s, river modification has straightened the river channel and removed meanders resulting in a uniform channel with high embankments. The regular drainage maintenance continues to remove woody debris and other vegetative material likely to form pools and diverse habitats suitable for juvenile salmon. Other examples of river modification work include the installation of a series of weirs that act as impediments to the upstream passage of sea lamprey. Significant threats to the site and its species also come from years of decline of the riparian areas of the river. Contributing to this decline has been the planting of exotic conifers and the spread of invasive plants, such as giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) which, left unchecked, will have serious repercussions on native vegetation, river bank stability, sedimentation of spawning beds and ultimately on the habitat and food of salmon, sea lamprey and otter. Objectives: The aim of the project is to bring about a significant and sustained enhancement of the Lower Shannon SAC and, in particular, Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey and European otter. More specifically the project aims to enhance the salmon and sea lamprey populations by restoring degraded habitat in river reaches along the river Mulkear using best practice techniques in 'instream' habitat rehabilitation. Obstacles to the upstream passage of sea lamprey will also be removed with the aim to open up most of the catchment for spawning and recruitment. The project also aims to stop and reverse the damage caused by invasive exotic plants, such as giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, as well as non-native conifers (Sitka spruce) in the river's riparian zone. The improvement of breeding, resting habitat and food supply of otters is another key objective that will be achieved through habitat assessment and the creation of artificial sites where considered necessary. Water quality problems caused by cattle accessing the river and its tributaries will also be addressed by working with local farmers to develop alternative solutions for watering cattle. Finally extensive advocacy and advisory work will aim to further develop strong community links as well as promote education and awareness of the issues at both local and national levels.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.mulkearlife.com\/","InternalProjectID":"18032","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18032","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":367,"ProjectCode":"LIFE09 NAT\/IE\/000220","ProjectAcronym":"BLACKWATER SAMOK","ProjectTitle":"Restoration of the Upper River Blackwater SAC for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Atlantic Salmon, European Otter and Kingfisher ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fran Igoe (IE)","Institution":"Integrated Resource Development Duhallow Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"23\/06\/2015","Keywords":"Special Area of Conservation; River; Biodiversity; Anthropogenic pressure","ProjectAbstract":"Background: The River Allow catchment forms part of the Upper Blackwater River Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The site is important for a number of species including the kingfisher, freshwater pearl mussel, Atlantic salmon and European otter. The conservation status of the site has come increasingly under pressure and agricultural practices over recent times have led to increased nutrient enrichment and pollution while channel degradation and siltation have been caused by major river modification works which date back to the 1850s. Significant threats to the site and its species also come from years of decline of the riparian areas of the river. Examples of this include the spread of invasive plants (in particular Himalayan balsam), and overgrown bank vegetation causing excessive shade for the river. These issues, if left unchecked, will have serious repercussions on native vegetation, river bank stability, sedimentation of spawning beds and ultimately on the habitat and food sources of the pearl mussel, salmon, otter and kingfisher. Objectives: The main purpose of the LIFE Nature project is to bring about a sustained enhancement of the Upper Blackwater SAC by targeting the freshwater pearl mussel, Atlantic salmon, European otter and kingfisher. More specifically this will be achieved by carrying out actions aimed at restoring the quality of the river bed and riparian zone. Expected results: *Halt excessive siltation of 40km of pearl mussel and salmon (freshwater) habitat by restoring riparian areas vulnerable to erosion from unsustainable agricultural practices. This will include 0.44 km of bank protection works; 6.46 km of pruning and coppicing; 6.84 km of planting of exposed riverbank areas; 6.0 km of Himalayan balsam removal; and provision of silt traps and constructed wetland in afforested areas where needed; *Improve otter habitat over 27 km through installation of 10 otter holts and holding areas; *Provide 12 kingfisher nesting areas; (and 10 dipper nesting areas); *Develop guidelines for the management of riparian zones for otter and kingfisher (and dippers) in riverine SACs including water quality management for adjacent farms; *Produce a habitat restoration plan for the tributaries of the Upper Blackwater, and one habitat restoration plan for the main Blackwater River. Also produce one overall plan for the future management of the Upper Blackwater SAC; *Raise community awareness to improve public support and understanding for the project and its objective. This will comprise initiatives including a media campaign and a range of publications and signage. In addition, 10 public and community training workshops and eight educational lectures will be held. Visits will be made to all 36 schools in the catchment area and an online 'schools species recording project' will be established through the project website.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.duhallowlife.com\/","InternalProjectID":"18033","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18033","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":368,"ProjectCode":"LIFE09 NAT\/IE\/000222","ProjectAcronym":"DBPRBRI","ProjectTitle":"DBPRBRI - Demonstrating Best Practise in Raised Bog Restoration in Ireland ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Connolly (IE)","Institution":"Coillte Teoranta - The Irish Forestry Board","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2015","Keywords":"Raised bogs; Wetland; Conservation; Restoration measure ","ProjectAbstract":"Background: Irish raised bogs represent some of the finest examples of their habitat type in the world. Surveys indicate that some 50 000 ha of reasonably intact or uncut raised bog habitat remain in the country, which represents about 16% of the original natural extent of the habitat. Of this, about 21 500 ha is regarded as being of nature conservation value and is included in a network of protected areas (Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas). Previous afforestation schemes on bogs have affected the ecological integrity of this green infrastructure and current national forest policy includes goals to protect semi-natural habitats of nature conservation value, including raised bogs. Objectives: The primary objective of this LIFE Nature project is to help restore wetland, peat-forming conditions on Ireland's raised bogs by continuing the process of removing plantation forests. This project builds upon the work carried out under Coillte's previous LIFE-funded project (LIFE04 NAT\/IE\/000121 \"Restoring Raised Bog in Ireland\"), which was completed in December 2008. That project demonstrated that tree removal and drain-blocking can have encouraging positive effects, even in the short-term, on bog hydrology and vegetation. All associated objectives of the current project are wholly aimed at supporting this main goal. Bog restoration actions will target active raised bog habitat on 17 sites that have been partially or wholly afforested. Expected results: *A total of 636.31 ha of raised bog habitat on 17 project sites (all candidate SACs and\/or NHAs, spread over seven counties) will be enhanced by restoration works carried out; *A total of 627.76 ha of plantation forests on raised bog habitat will be removed; *Forestry drains will be blocked where necessary on a total of 636.31ha; *Naturally regenerating trees will be removed where necessary over the entire project area of 636.31 ha; *15 665 m of fire-lines will be constructed where necessary; and *19 190 m of fencing will be erected where necessary.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.raisedbogrestoration.ie\/","InternalProjectID":"18034","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18034","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":369,"ProjectCode":"LIFE13 NAT\/IE\/000144","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"LIFE Kerry - Sustainable land use management for the conservation of the freshwater pearl mussel","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Niall Redmond (IE)","Institution":"Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/07\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2019","Keywords":"Endangered species; Freshwater ecosystem; Land use planning; Conservation","ProjectAbstract":"Background: The catchments of the rivers Caragh and Blackwater in Kerry are important for a number of habitats and species, including the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). The conservation status of this species has, over the years, declined due to land mismanagement, with diffuse sediment and nutrient losses being the main causes. There is an urgent need to reverse this decline and improve the conservation status of freshwater pearl mussels in these rivers, by the development and implementation of effective and cost-efficient measures for reducing diffuse losses of sediment and nutrients from forestry and farming. Objectives: The KerryLIFE project is taking place in Natura 2000 network areas in south-west Ireland, within the Killarney National Park, which includes Macgillycuddy's Reeks and the Caragh River catchment, and the Blackwater River site in Kerry. The project's objectives are: To demonstrate effective conservation measures that will restore the freshwater pearl mussel to favourable conservation status in the Caragh and Blackwater catchments; To enhance awareness and understanding of the freshwater pearl mussel among local stakeholders; To demonstrate sustainable management techniques for farming and forestry in freshwater pearl mussel catchments; and To provide guidance for farming and forestry practices that support the conservation of freshwater pearl mussels. Expected results: An improvement in the condition of the habitat of the freshwater pearl mussel through a reduction in siltation and eutrophication; Increased recruitment of juvenile mussels to the population; Reduced losses of silt and nutrients from forest and farm project sites; Greater awareness and understanding of freshwater pearl mussels among the local community and key stakeholders; A school educational programme delivered to 12 national and five secondary schools in the project area; A well-designed and informative website; A pearl mussel tourist walkway; The successful implementation of approximately 25 farm and 10 forest management plans; The sustainable management of farm (2 500 ha) and forest (485 ha) drainage systems; The provision of 20 alternative drinking water facilities on farms; The establishment of 15 ha of native woodland; The management of 10 ha of existing broadleaf woodland; The conversion of 15 ha to native broadleaf woodland; The restructuring of 175 ha of commercial plantations into long-term retention woodland; The provision of at least 10 training workshops and 10 demonstration events to farmers, forest owners and other river catchment users; The distribution of four best practice guides for a diverse range of end-users involved in catchment management hosting over 10 million freshwater pearl mussels; and A report on the feasibility of local marketing initiatives and the establishment of a local supplier and consumer network.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18035","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18035","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":370,"ProjectCode":"LIFE92 ENV\/IRL\/000005","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Environmentally friendly coast protection All coast ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brendan Dollard (IE)","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/1995","ProjectEndDate":"31\/05\/1995","Keywords":"Coastal management; Monitoring; Erosion; Sea-level","ProjectAbstract":"The coastal zone in Ireland is recognised as being of immense value from an economic, environmental and sociological point of view. This asset is under threat from erosion by the sea, particularly in light of projected sea level rise. Much of the future of the important tourist industry will depend largely on the preservation of the coast. Inappropriate and expensive structures built in the past have often failed or have accelerated erosion rates elsewhere. This has required further expenditure on protection which could have been avoided. In addition, the environmental impact of these structures was frequently overlooked. Appropriate guidelines on coastal protection measures were required. This project involved Forbairt, the Department of the Marine, the Department of the Environment and Coastwatch Europe in preparing a Code of Practice for environmentally friendly coastal protection, focusing on soft engineering methods. The Code provides guidance on coastline monitoring methods, based on experience in six coastal sites, and presents a sensitivity index developed by the project to grade a coastline's sensitivity to erosion, based on an assessment of the factors that influence erosion. The Code of Practice considers how to select an appropriate response to an identified coastal problem and discusses the suitablity of different strategic approaches and protection methods, focusing on soft engineering. Case studies are also provided on the implementation and success of different methods.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18036","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18036","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":371,"ProjectCode":"LIFE93 ENV\/IRL\/003071","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Avoca\/Avonmore Catchment Conversion Project Co. Wicklow ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Hubert Fitzpatrick (IE)","Institution":"Wicklow County Council","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/1993","ProjectEndDate":"31\/08\/1997","Keywords":"Mine; Abandoned industrial site; Environmental management; Contaminated area ","ProjectAbstract":"The economic development hypothesis being tested in this project demonstrates the potential of a strategy of economic conversion at regional level. By adopting the theory and practices of Environmental Management Systems it is hoped to generate competitive advantage by differentiating the area, its products and its processes. A Catchment Conversion Plan will be developed for the Avoca\/Avonmore area and the principles of EMS will be central to this plan. A number of activities will be carried out under the LIFE project to feed into the plan development. The rehabilitation of previous environmental damage in the area from mining activities will be addressed. Pilot demonstration projects will be carried out relating to effective leachate treatment and rehabilitation of spoil using composted sewage sludge. Furthermore, the Avoca River suffers from high levels of nitrogen from a nearby fertiliser plant and the effectiveness of an ammonia recovery unit on river quality is being monitored. The implementation of EMS by industry in the area should have a direct environmental benefit and it is anticipated that it will also attract other industries to the area and facilitate the development of new techniques and methodologies. The involvement of local industry is central to the project and experts will provide advice on EMS and infrastructure investments to improve environmental performance. The socio-economic and environmental baseline of the entire Avoca and Avonmore Catchments will be identified and the information fed into a GIS based Catchment Information System. The project will assess the suitability of software used for ongoing environmental monitoring, control and economic development. The focus of the LIFE project will be to identify and disseminate the lessons learnt on how such activities can assist in the economic development of an area and the implications for industry.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18037","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18037","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":372,"ProjectCode":"LIFE93 ENV\/IRL\/003116","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Promotion of the Adoption of Farm Nutrient Management Policy","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Owen Carton (IE)","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/1993","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/1995","Keywords":"Agriculture; Environmental training; Networking; Water quality","ProjectAbstract":"The objective will be achieved by completing four tasks. these are:(1) the training of Teagasc advisory staff in NMP so that a nationwide network of advisors will be in place to provide a full NMP service; (2) the establishment of NMP on farms in areas with existing water quality problems. The beneficial effects of NMP on these farms will encourage other farmers in these areas to adopt NMP; (3) the preparation of an NMP video for farmers. This video will be used by Teagasc to create an awareness of the beneficial effects of NMP for farmers and will be widely distributed; (4) the establishment of an NMP demonstration farm at Johnstown Castle. This will provide a national focal point for the training of farmers in a familiar farm format.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18038","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18038","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":373,"ProjectCode":"LIFE93 ENV\/IRL\/003156","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Programme for Reduction of Industrial Effluent in a Multi-Site Dairy Processing Company Mitchelstown, Co. Cork","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Aine Quinlan (IE)","Institution":"Golden Vale PLC","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/1993","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1995","Keywords":"Resource efficient; Industrial waste; Waste reduction; Food production ","ProjectAbstract":"The aims of this project were to address the environmental impacts from the processing of dairy products and to demonstrate the application and feasibility of different technologies. Overall, the project aims to minimise the generation of effluent at source, reduce the consumption of raw water and energy and the use of detergents and acids, and to minimise product losses during the processing operations. The project involved the implementation of a number of separate actions in two site locations: Recovery of cooling water for general reuse from mechanical seals of processing equipment; alterations to clean in place centres to reduce losses and increase recovery of cleaning agents; recovery of evaporator condensate for boiler feed water and general plant cleaning; detection and subsequent recovery of fats from a waste stream and loss control of fats at source; application of infrasound technology to remove milk powder from a spray drier by a combination of optic sensing and drier underpressure control; recovery of backwash water from a water softening plant for reuse in yard and vehicle washing; installation of a local dedicated hot water system in place of a large centralised system for factory washing and cleaning.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18039","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18039","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":374,"ProjectCode":"LIFE93 ENV\/IRL\/003156","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Programme for Reduction of Industrial Effluent in a Multi-Site Dairy Processing Company Mitchelstown, Co. Cork","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Aine Quinlan (IE)","Institution":"Golden Vale PLC","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/1993","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1995","Keywords":"Resource efficient; Industrial waste; Waste reduction; Food production","ProjectAbstract":"The aims of this project were to address the environmental impacts from the processing of dairy products and to demonstrate the application and feasibility of different technologies. Overall, the project aims to minimise the generation of effluent at source, reduce the consumption of raw water and energy and the use of detergents and acids, and to minimise product losses during the processing operations. The project involved the implementation of a number of separate actions in two site locations: recovery of cooling water for general reuse from mechanical seals of processing equipment; alterations to clean in place centres to reduce losses and increase recovery of cleaning agents; recovery of evaporator condensate for boiler feed water and general plant cleaning; detection and subsequent recovery of fats from a waste stream and loss control of fats at source; application of infrasound technology to remove milk powder from a spray drier by a combination of optic sensing and drier underpressure control; recovery of backwash water from a water softening plant for reuse in yard and vehicle washing; installation of a local dedicated hot water system in place of a large centralised system for factory washing and cleaning.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18040","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18040","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":375,"ProjectCode":"LIFE94 ENV\/IRL\/000323","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development and demonstration of an emission free process for crystal manufacture","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Kennedy (IE)","Institution":"Waterford Crystal","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/1994","ProjectEndDate":"30\/04\/1996","Keywords":"Toxic compounds; Clean technology; Glass industry; Hazardous substance","ProjectAbstract":"The large quantities of toxic lead compounds and hydrofluoric acid used in glass manufacture raise environmental and occupational health and safety issues, and can lead to controlled toxic emissions to the atmosphere and to water, and waste containing lead and neutralised acid sent to landfill. Industry research has examined these issues separately but no one has collected the results to demonstrate a feasible, clean process for crystal glass manufacture. This project has three main objectives. First, to bring together research on melting and forming of new glass compounds made from non-toxic components to eliminate the use of lead. Second, to develop surface treatments for decoration and polishing of products to eliminate the use of dangerous acids. Third, to construct a self-contained manufacturing cell unit, within the main factory, to examine both air- and water-borne waste streams and to develop systems which permit total recycling of waste produced at each process stage. The environmental benefits could rapidly be disseminated throughout the European Union and the world crystal glass industry. The four main elements of the project are: *Glass melting -new non-toxic glass compositions will be melted in a conventional pot furnace. Modifications will be made which should result in a reduction in energy consumption. *Glass cutting and polishing -new mechanical surface finishing processes will be introduced. *Waste recycling and reuse -new in-factory methods will ensure collection of waste and its recycling to the melting furnace or to materials suppliers for the recovery of raw materials, or reuse in other processes. *Integration and operation -process parameters will be recorded and analysed to establish the data needed to install a production line process. If the process is proven it will be integrated into production at Waterford Crystal.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18041","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18041","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":376,"ProjectCode":"LIFE94 ENV\/IRL\/000371","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Management plan for the sustainable use of Lough Gill and environment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Enda Thompson (IE)","Institution":"Sligo County Council","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/1994","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/1998","Keywords":"Aquatic ecosystem; Protected area; Environmental management; Conservation","ProjectAbstract":"In 1977 Lough Gill was included in the Inventory of Outstanding Landscapes in Ireland by An Foras Forbatha. It is the tenth largest lake in Ireland with an area of 1,400 hectares. The lake is located beside the town of Sligo, the regional capital of the north west of Ireland, and is the source of the towns water supply. It is an important salmon and trout fishery and its wooded shoreline and islands offer a rich variety of flora and fauna. As is the case with all lakes in Ireland, there has never been a coherent management plan for Lough Gill. This is most likely due to the fact that the lake and its catchment cover two local authority regions - while approximately 80% of the lake lies in County Sligo, almost 80% of the catchment area lies in County Leitrim. The experience gained and the lessons learnt from developing a management strategy should be applicable to local authorities in other parts of Ireland and the rest of Europe. The aim of this project is to develop and implement a coherent management plan to protect and preserve Lough Gills landscape, wildlife and water quality for future generations. The project brings together both of these local authorities to draft a common plan which will co-ordinate planning and development strategies, land use, water protection policies, tourism and recreation strategies, and nature conservation measures, in a single management plan. Partnerships will also be built between the local authorities and other sectors of the community through the establishment of a Catchment Management Committee (CMC). The CMC will act as a forum for discussion between the various organisations to identify common goals and resolve conflicts of interest. The ultimate aim of the CMC is to manage the catacment so that the natural resources are used in an environmentally sustainable manner. The management plan will take account of baseline information on the water quality and ecological and nature conservation value of the area.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18042","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18042","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":377,"ProjectCode":"LIFE94 ENV\/IRL\/000375","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Maximisation of material recovery and minimisation of utility usage in Caesin and whey production","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John O'Sullivan (IE)","Institution":"North Kerry Milk Products Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/1994","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/1996","Keywords":"Waste effluent; Waste reduction; Liquid recovery; Economic benefits","ProjectAbstract":"This project addresses waste and effluent from the production of casein and whey. It aims to minimise the quantiity of materials not recovered as product and which has to be treated in a waste treatment plant or disposed of off site. It also aims to minimise the use of utilities in the production process. The specific actions which will be undertaken include: producing a global mass balance where all product is accounted for in order to highlight areas of loss; recovering mother liquor (by product of lactose production) and avoiding its disposal off site as a waste product; reducing the amount of mains water required for washing casein curd thus making it economic to recover this waste stream and avoiding its present disposal to the waste treatment plant; reducing losses in the demineralisation plant by 50%; quantifying and reducing losses from evaporators; avoiding silo and valve losses by transfering products between processes without storage.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18043","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18043","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":378,"ProjectCode":"LIFE96 ENV\/IRL\/000091","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development and demonstration of an integrated Emission Control System Askeaton","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Austin Geraghty (IE)","Institution":"Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland (WNI) American Home Products Corporation (AHP) Manufacturing b.v","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/08\/1996","ProjectEndDate":"01\/07\/2000","Keywords":"Wastewater treatment; Energy saving; Integrated management; Emission reduction","ProjectAbstract":"Background: At the time of project conception, WNI operated three steam boilers consuming approximately 11 million litres of heavy fuel oil per annum and as a consequence generating emissions of sulphur dioxide and particulates. WNI also generated approximately 115 million gallons of dairy waste water per annum. This waste water underwent full biological treatment prior to local discharge. The micro-organisms essential to the treatment process require the untreated waste water to register within the pH band 6.0-8.5. A fundamental element of the waste-water treatment process within WNI was thus pH-correction of an alkaline waste by the addition of hydrochloric acid. Objective: The objective of the project was to develop an Emission Control System which would simultaneously address four distinct areas of environmental impacts, namely atmospheric emissions, wastewater treatment, energy recovery and chemical usage. Successful completion of this project would set an industry standard and encourage uptake of a similar methodology throughout Europe. WNI identified the potential for applying a single solution to the two problems of atmospheric emissions and effluent pH-correction by combining the two waste streams in an innovative way. Significant savings in plant operating costs were a potential added benefit. The idea was to utilise the untreated dairy waste water as a boiler exhaust gas-scrubbing medium in a non-clogging fluidised bed scrubber system. This resulted in the pH-correction of the waste water prior to biological treatment and thus allowed a substantial reduction in the volume of acid required. Finally, the waste heat energy from the boilers was recovered from the exhaust gases, creating additional savings in energy consumption. The first stage of heat recovery takes place in economisers, where the heat is removed from the flue gases and put into the boiler feed water. The flue gases then pass through the scrubber tower, where contact with the dairy waste water strips SO2 and particulates from them. The cleaned gases are reheated and exhausted to the atmosphere. The dairy waste water is circulated continuously over the scrubber tower, with raw effluent make-up and overflow bleed-off. The secondary stage of heat recovery takes place when heat is removed from this liquid and put into the boiler fresh-water make-up system.The recirculated waste water becomes acidic following the take-up of SO2. The overflow is discharged to the effluent treatment plant according to pH-correction requirements, thus eliminating the need for hydrochloric acid for this purpose. The particulates are also carried off into the treatment plant, where they are combined with the normal sludge for disposal.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18044","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18044","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":379,"ProjectCode":"LIFE96 ENV\/IRL\/000098","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Laois - The Treatment of Landfill Leachate Using Peat","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Charles Tweeney (IE)","Institution":"Laois County Council; Kerry County Council; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"24\/03\/1997","ProjectEndDate":"24\/02\/2001","Keywords":"Waste treatment; End-of-pipe technology; Landfill leachate; Alternative technology ","ProjectAbstract":"Background: In the EU, contaminated leachate from landfills is commonly transported from the site to a biological sewage treatment plant for processing. However, in countries with low population densities and relatively small population centres, as is the case in Ireland, the availability of suitable treatment plants with excess treatment capacities can be low, and even when such plants are available prohibitive costs are incurred transporting leachate over long distances. The use of leachate technology at the time of the inception of the project throughout the Member States was not equitable and potentially levied an economic disadvantage on waste producers in countries with small population densities. Significant variations in treatment costs throughout the EU could have resulted in an unbalanced application of the polluter pays principle. Initial laboratory analysis, followed by the construction of a small scale pilot plant for the treatment of leachate at the central landfill in the country of Laois in Ireland, showed that leachate contaminant concentration could be reduced to acceptable discharge levels using peat filtration. Potentially, the technology could be applied on-site at landfills and reduce the need to transport leachate for treatment at sewage plants. On-site treatment systems, when used elsewhere, are mainly aerobic treatment systems and are costly to construct and operate. Objectives: The project was a partnership between Laois County Council, Kerry County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland to demonstrate the potential reproduction of an innovative, low-cost, low maintenance technology as a BATNEEC. The objective was to demonstrate that innovative peat technology could be used as best available technology not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC) for onsite treatment of landfill leachate on both active and closed landfills. The project also proposed to demonstrate the technology to be 'low cost, low maintenance'. The following discharge standards were required at each of the two sites to ensure protection of the receiving waters: BOD at 85 mg\/l, ammonia at 15 mg\/l. Target concentrations for treatment levels for three discharge parameters were given in the LIFE application as follows: Laois site: BOD at 47 mg\/l, SS at 75 mg\/l, ammonia at 15 mg\/l; Kerry site: BOD at 23 mg\/l, SS at 75 mg\/l, ammonia at 15 mg\/l.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.laois.ie\/; http:\/\/www.epa.ie\/#&panel1-1","InternalProjectID":"18045","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18045","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":380,"ProjectCode":"LIFE97 ENV\/IRL\/000209","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Development of a consensus Based Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy for Bantry Bay. Cork","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Brian McCutcheon (IE)","Institution":"Cork County Council","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/1997","ProjectEndDate":"15\/10\/2000","Keywords":"Coastal management; Conflict; Geographic Information System; Integrated management","ProjectAbstract":"Backgorund: Bantry Bay is situated on the southern coast of Ireland at the western end of County Cork. Lying on a northeast \/ southwest axis, it is a natural geographic unit, approximately 48km long and between 4 and 10km wide, with very deep water, capable of taking supertankers to its upper reaches. The Bantry Bay area is home to over 12,000 people living in a variety of communities. It is an area of outstanding scenic landscape. The long, narrow bay is a natural safe harbour at the edge of the Atlantic ocean, sheltered between the mountainous spine of the Beara Peninsula and the gentler slopes of Sheeps Head. Islands are scattered the lenght of the Bay, the three largest of which, Bere, Dursey and Whiddy, are home to distinct communities. Bantry Bay is also home to the State's oil transhipment terminal, one of Irelands largets fishing ports, and has the country highest density of aquaculture units and is one of its businest tourist areas. These diverse attractions, activities and the attendant development potential heightened the demand on the areas space and resources. There are a range of views and aspirations as to how the area should develop and a range of agencies promoting and regulating development in the area, with little or no coordination. Before the LIFE project no Coastal Zone Management legislation existed in Ireland. There was therefore a need to improve the management of the area. Against this background, in January 1997, Cork County Council, in partnership with the Coastal Resources Centre of the National University of Ireland, Cork and the Nautical Enterprise Centre of the Cork Institute of Technology commenced participation in the European Commission LIFE programme. Objectives: The aim of the project was to develop a consensus-based Integrated Coastal Zone Management strategy for Bantry Bay; through the adoption of a stakeholder's charter, the use of innovative dispute resolution techniques and a community based GIS catalogue of resources. This basic objective was to be achieved through the following focused objectives: The establishment of a stakeholder committee, identification of stakeholder goals and development and implementation of an agreed stakeholder charter. The review of European and National ICZM methodologies, legal frameworks and institutional arrangement at national and local level, established coastal planning, conservation and management techniques, and current activities of regulatory bodies. To catalogue and map the resources of Bantry Bay (using GIS) for the purpose of creating a publicly accessible resource management tool for stakeholder use during the project and to coordinate information needs. The establishment of the operating areas (existing and potential) of various maritime activities with a view to developing a sustainable and safe operational system for the Bay. The introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques to resolve the multi-user conflicts and to train local community leaders in the techniques of consensus building, mediation and dispute resolution. Assimilation of the findings of objectives 1-4 and identification of a preffered approach to ICZM for Bantry Bay. To prepare an ICZM strategy for Bantry Bay, which would be based on the principle of sustainable development and would reflect the aspirations of the stakeholders and would be implemented by regulatory bodies and the stakeholders. To ensure that the final strategy was of high quality, had validity, and embraced best practices of CZM. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18046","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18046","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":381,"ProjectCode":"LIFE97 ENV\/IRL\/000224","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Dublin City Eco Zone","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Pat Nolan (IE)","Institution":"South Dublin County Council","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/1997","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/1999","Keywords":"Land use planning; River basin management; Periurban space; Integrated management","ProjectAbstract":"To apply modern methods for integrated river basin management and develop them for a growing suburban environment. Modern methods for Integrated River basin Planning or catchment management planning (CMP) will be applied in a suburban setting in this pilot demonstration project in one of the fastest growing regions of Europe. Guidelines will be developed and disseminated. The Cammock, Griffeen and Dodder Rivers flow through the Council area in Dublin to the main river of the city, the Liffey, and specific management issues and associated tasks have been identified in each basin which will benefit from the approach of CMP. These include: *identification of the present status using GIS: emissions and effects of existing and planned landuse such as housing and industrial development, two suburban village centres at Clondalkin and Lucan, two aerodromes, three golf courses and many linear developments such as motorways, a canal, a railway, and public parks along sections of the rivers; *flood plain development and flow control: tributary diversions and culverts, potential development of disused reservoirs on the Cammock for flow regulation, amenity and hydroelectric power purposes and operational management of existing headwater reservoir on the Dodder, *landfill survey and monitoring: survey of historic landfills and implementation of landfill closure plan and aftercare monitoring to protect groundwater quality, *aquifer protection: identification of aquifer boundary and preparation of protection plan *'total watershed management', that is, integration of the water environment and landuse planning in the context of 'Local Agenda 21', with public consultation on draft County Development Plan.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18047","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18047","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":382,"ProjectCode":"LIFE98 ENV\/IRL\/000487","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Demonstrating the feasibility to recover and reuse complex waste solvent streams Ringaskiddy ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ted Lee (IE)","Institution":"Novartis Ringaskiddy Limited ","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"02\/02\/1998","ProjectEndDate":"02\/11\/1999","Keywords":"Solvent; Clean technology; Pharmaceutical industry; Reuse of materials","ProjectAbstract":"Used solvent streams from the bulk drug production process at Novartis can be large, complex and multiphase, and are currently disposed of by incineration. This project set out to demonstrate the feasibility of developing processes and installed a recovery plant to separate multiphase used solvent streams deriving from the production of an active drug substance into their original components and purify them for reuse. The project involved the completion of the design, installation, and operational and process qualification of a new large-scale plant to separate used solvent streams using three laboratory-developed processes. It involved operating the new recovery unit with the complex used solvent streams as feed material to demonstrate that tetrahydrofuran and ethylacetate could be purified to the desired quality, throughput and yield. The three new laboratory processes were as follows: Process 1 used a continuous counter-current liquid extraction unit and two continuous vacuum pressure rectification units to recover tetrahydrofuran (THF) from hexane, heptane, isopropylalcohol, water and high boiling impurities in one used solvent stream. A small counter-current extraction column was used to extract THF from the non-polar impurities (hexane and heptane) in the aqueous phase. A two-pressure rectification system was used to separate water from THF. Process 2 used a continuous counter-current liquid extraction unit, a continuous extractive rectification unit and two vacuum rectification units to recover tetrahydrofuran and ethylacetate from methanol, ethanol, acetic acid, methylacetate, water and high boiling impurities in another used solvent stream from the process. The polar components such as methanol, ethanol and acetic acid were separated in the counter-current extraction column. The next step was a stripping column, which was used to dewater the organic light phase. The third column was a rectification column in which decane was separated from THF\/ethylacetate. The fourth column was a rectification column in which THF and ethylacetate were separated at the top and bottom respectively. Process 3 used two continuous rectification units to recover ethylacetate from tetrahydrofuran, heptane, ethanol, acetic acid, water and high boiling impurities in a third stream. The first column was a dewatering column for ethylacetate which forms a two-phase azeotrope with water. An additional rectification column was added to eliminate high boilers. This project set out to demonstrate the feasibility of developing processes and installing a recovery plant to separate multiphase used solvent streams deriving from the production of an active drug substance into their original components and purify them for reuse. This would result in fewer solvents having to be produced, transported and destroyed, and would lead to a saving of resources, a reduction in environmental impact and reduced risk of an adverse incident.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18048","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18048","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":383,"ProjectCode":"LIFE99 ENV\/IRL\/000605","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cognis - Environmental Sustainability through solvent and energy recovery technologies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Frank Mc Donnell (IE); Timoney Weston (IE)","Institution":"Cognis Ireland Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"20\/11\/1999","ProjectEndDate":"20\/11\/2002","Keywords":"Solvent; Clean technology; Chemical industry; Alternative material","ProjectAbstract":"Background: The manufacturing process employed to manufacture Cognis LIX involves the use of large quantities of toluene (16,000 tonnes per annum) as the reaction solvent. During the process, methanol and methyl formate are generated as impurities, which remain in the toluene rendering it unfit for reuse without pre-treatment. This pre-treatment is traditionally achieved by washing the tuolene with water at 45-50C in a static mixer to reduce the impurity levels to an acceptable level for recycle; the water wash is then processed in the biological treatment plant. As a consequence of the treatment process for this stream up to 1,500 tonnes of solids are sent for landfill pla, and 700 tonnes of COD pla are generated for treatment in the waste treatment plant. Combined with the fact that the wash water (up to 17,000M cubed) is heated to 45-50C (equivalent to 386.2 x 106 KJ of energy), the treatment process generates a significant impact on the environment. This process is widely used throughout the chemical industry as a whole, and also applied extensively in other industries such as the food and beverage industry, and the electronics sector. Therefore, the potential for transferability of any alternative approaches that can reduce the environmental impacts from the operations of these industries is quite significant. Objectives; The life span of the project including implementation and dissemination was three years. During the project itself, one of the principal pathways for local and national dissemination was expected to be the partners and other interested organisations. This project was intended to replace the existing flashed toluene wash system with a solvent purification distillation step. While solvent distillation was not in itself unique, the use of the resulting distillate as part of fuel requirements on-site was. A skid mounted distillation plant was required to strip such reaction by-products from the toluene stream. Resulting from the project, the following benefits were expected ;-Environmental Effect Reduction, on per annum flows Reduction to Landfill 140,000Kgs Reduction to Effluent 700,000Kgs Reduction in Water usage 2,640M cubed Reduction in Energy usage 386.2 x 106 KJ Reduction in Air emissions 50,000Kgs The project addressed the following issues:- *Treatment of waste water *Changes in processes to reduce environmental impacts, including air emissions, waste water, use of water and landfill *Recycling of waste as an energy source The project aimed to disseminate its findings via: 1. International presence on the web 2. Conferences 3. Engineering Consultants 4. Plant Tours 5.The Henkel Annual Environmental Report. It was also anticipated that through dissemination the project would achieve:- *The effective and widespread dissemination of results within the chemical sector both nationally and trans-nationally. This would occur through the dissemination process. *The effective and widespread dissemination of results within other sectors which use a similar manufacturing process, such as the food and beverages sectors, and the electronics industry. *The adoption of the technique by others within the Henkel group, which was easy to quantify as a measure of success for the project as a whole.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18049","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18049","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":384,"ProjectCode":"LIFE99 ENV\/IRL\/000610","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Spatial and Community Environmental Management Systems in Action","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Hubert Fitzpatrick (IE)","Institution":"Wicklow County Council","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"LIFE","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/1999","ProjectEndDate":"01\/10\/2002","Keywords":"Enterprise; Urban; River Catchment; Eco-management","ProjectAbstract":"Four specific actions are proposed: *To provide technical assistance to industry, public bodies and other organisations\/sites where EMAS or ISO certification could be obtained. *To furnish technical assistance to the smallest level of enterprise, to households, schools and voluntary bodies, in order to facilitate implementation of EMS principles at a level appropriate to the targeted group. *To develop Agenda 21 procedures, structures and standards for integration of site-specific and area-based actions. *To examine if the branding of an EMS area can economically benefit that area. The main Deliverables of the Project will include: *An Environmental Management System will be developed for the Avoca\/Avonmore River Catchment of County Wicklow which will embrace an EMAS\/IS0 Standard for major sites, non-certificated EMS for other sectors, and community\/based quality targets which validate these actions. *Up to 150 firms, agencies, schools and communities will participate in the work over the three year period of the Project. *The process of community participation in the development of a Spatial Environmental Management System will be examined through Catchment level and local environmental fora which, it is envisaged, will have an ongoing life, beyond the three year programme. *A Marketing Plan will be implemented for the Catchment. The plan will be assessed on an ongoing basis to ascertain whether competitive advantage can be secured for a geographical area by branding and marketing that area. The Project seeks to build on the experience gained from the Avoca\/Avonmore Catchment Conversion Life Project (Reference No. 93\/IRL\/A25\/IRL\/3071) to develop an integrated approach to Environmental Management Systems for the management of the Avoca\/Avonmore River Catchment in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. This will be achieved through site\/organisational based certification using EMAS or ISO 14001; non-certificated EMS actions in the micro-enterprise, household, schools and voluntary sectors; and establishment of Agenda 21 structures, procedures and standards for the integration of these initiatives. The result will be to provide an environmental profile for the area as a whole, based on recognised standards and processes and to market the areas products by branding the Catchment on a co-operative basis with stakeholders. Marketing plans will be developed, using the competitive advantage based on EMS accreditation. It is also proposed that a marketing plan will be implemented on a pilot basis. Wicklow County Council will seek to develop partnerships with local industry and suitable Government and State Bodies with a view to the financing and implementation of the Project. The major environmental benefits will include: *The facilitation of stakeholders in complying cost-effectively with environmental legislation, and improving environmental standards outside of mandatory frameworks. *Increasing the level of community awareness of actions taken by industry and by the Local Authority in the area of environmental quality. *The focusing of all stakeholders in the Project on relevant environmental management problems. It is expected that the Project will commence before the end of 1999 and the estimated duration is 36 months. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18050","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18050","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":385,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"AER","ProjectTitle":"Aspiration Efficiency Reducer (AER)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Aonghus McNabola","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Ongoing","ProjectEndDate":"Ongoing","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18051","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18051","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":386,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of novel nanoscale materials for the sensing of nitrates","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bernadette Alcock","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18052","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18052","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":387,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Pathogen detection, survival and sheltering in a model water distribution system","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Cindy J Smith","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2014","Keywords":"Drinking water; Microorganisms; E. coli; Transport","ProjectAbstract":"Clean, safe potable drinking water is delivered to our taps everyday via a large complicated underground network of pipes. Breaks in the pipe network do occur, and microorganisms from the surrounding environment can enter the system. While not all microorganisms pose a risk to health, the intrusion of harmful bacteria is monitored by detecting the presence of E. coli, a microorganism that indicates fecal contamination has occurred. This research program will investigate what happens to contaminating E. coli when it enters a model facility representing the network of pipes that transport water from its source to tap.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18053","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18053","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":388,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Molecular Microbial Ecology of Ammonia Oxidation in Coastal Bay Sediments","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Cindy Smith","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/05\/2016","Keywords":"Nitrogen cycle; Marine environment; Shell and fin-fish; Nitrification","ProjectAbstract":"The nitrogen (N) cycle is of critical importance in the marine environment as it controls the availability of nitrogen, a limiting factor of primary productivity. Microorganisms drive many of the essential and unique processes of the nitrogen cycle. This project will focus on the critical step of nitrification in coastal sediments with a focus on ammonia oxidation in the sediments of Murrisk Bay, which is a small tidal inlet of Clew Bay, Co. Mayo of economic importance to the shell and fin-fish industry.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18054","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18054","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":389,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"An evaluation of existing and potential measures to sustain an increased biodiversity and water quality on Irish farms","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Daire O'hullachain","Institution":"Teagasc Johnstown Castle; University College Cork (UCC); University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18055","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18055","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":390,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a biological oxygen demand monitoring system for wastewaters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Donal Leech","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2014","Keywords":"Biochemical Oxygen Demand; Water Pollution; Bacteria; Wastewater","ProjectAbstract":"The standard, 5 day, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) test provides an estimate of water pollution by measuring the amount of oxygen used by bacteria to degrade organic matter. Waste-water treatment plants currently monitor load by measuring chemical oxygen demand even though BOD is the most relevant parameter, because there is no simple, widely adopted, methodology available for rapid BOD measurement. This project seeks to develop an improved in-situ biochemical oxygen demand sensing technology that may be adopted by waste-treatment plants for monitoring the load supplied to the plants in real-time.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18056","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18056","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":391,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Mechanisms of biofilm mediated fouling on nanofiltration membranes applied to micropollutant removal","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Eoin Casey","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/08\/2015","Keywords":"Drinking water; Organic micro-pollutants; Biofilm; Nanofiltration","ProjectAbstract":"Drinking water quality is threatened by newly emerging organic micro-pollutants (pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals) in source waters. Many of these pollutants have potential health effects in fish and mammals. The loss of membrane flux due to fouling is one of the main impediments in the development of membrane processes for use in drinking water treatment. The objective of this work is to determine the nature of biofilm mediated fouling of nanofiltration membranes. A more fundamental insight into the mechanisms of nanofiltration operation will help in further development of this treatment method in future water treatment processes.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18057","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18057","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":392,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Subsoil and groundwater denitrification","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Karl Richards","Institution":"Teagasc Johnstown; University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD); National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18058","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18058","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":393,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"EMOIN: Engineering Metal Oxide Interfaces For Renewable Energy Photocatalysis","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Michael Nolan","Institution":"Tyndall Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2009","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2014","Keywords":"Renewable energy, Metal oxide, Biofilm","ProjectAbstract":"The EMOIN (Engineering Metal Oxide Interfaces for Renewable Energy Applications) project is a Science Foundation Ireland funded Starting Investigator Grant project to use a multi-length scale materials modeling approach to study the formation of composites of metal oxide nanoclusters supported on a metal oxide surface and to investigate if these assemblies can be used in photocatalysis for hydrogen production via water splitting.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18059","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18059","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":394,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Effects of Stocking Rate and Grazing Season Length on Nitrate Leaching from a Vulnerable Soil Type","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Deirdre Hennessey","Institution":"Teagasc Moorepark","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18060","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18060","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":395,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"New Biodegradeable Hydrogel Materials for the delivery of Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Denise Rooney","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM); Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18061","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18061","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":396,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of the Vulnerability of Ground Water to Pesticide Inputs from Irish Agriculture","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Enda Cummins","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD); University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD); Teagasc Johnstown","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18062","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18062","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":397,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Protection of groundwater resources","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Gerard Hamill","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"United Kingdom","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"30\/06\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"06\/07\/2014","Keywords":"Groundwater; Anthropogenic impact; Poorly Productive Aquifers; Fracture Flow","ProjectAbstract":"This research seeks to provide a better understanding of Ireland's poorly productive aquifers and to evaluate the impact of human behaviour on groundwater and how this affects the wider environment. Monitoring wells have been installed to study areas such as the Glencastle River Catchment (Co. Mayo), the Gortinlieve catchment (Co. Donegal), the Mattock catchment (Co. Louth) and at Oughterard (Co. Galway).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18063","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18063","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":398,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Productivity of clover-based grassland under organic management and nitrate losses to ground water","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. James Humphreys","Institution":"Teagasc Moorepark; Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18064","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18064","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":399,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Maximising the efficiency of slurry-N and urea-N utilisation by grassland using nitrification and urease inhibitors as a strategy for environmental protection","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Karl Richards","Institution":"Teagasc Johnstown Castle; Agri-Food & Biosciences Inst (AFBI)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18065","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18065","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":400,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessment + Mitigation of soil + nutrient losses from acid-sensitive forest catchments","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. L. Xiao","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); Marine Insitute; Coillte Teoranta - The Irish Forestry Board","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18066","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18066","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":401,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Novel Agri-engineering solutions for amelioration of surface and ground water at critical source points: technology development and decision support blueprint for Irish Farmers","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Owen Fenton","Institution":"Teagasc Johnstown","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18067","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18067","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":402,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Studies on the management and utilisation of soiled water and dilute slurry on Irish farms","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Padraig French","Institution":"Teagasc Johnstown; University College Dublin (UCD); National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18068","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18068","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":403,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Energy Generation Option for Pig Manure and Safe Disposal of Residue","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Peadar Lawlor","Institution":"Teagasc; National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18069","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18069","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":404,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"RESCALE","ProjectTitle":"Review and Simulate Climate and Catchment Responses at Burrishoole","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Rowan Fealy","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"31\/07\/2011","Keywords":"Catchments; Climate change impacts; Water quality; Aquatic environment","ProjectAbstract":"Addressing the issue of global warming has been identified as a national, EU and international research priority. The Irish Government has committed to developing a national adaptation strategy; therefore capacity building in this area is central to developing adequate and informed response policies (SSTI). Significant capacity is required in the area of environmental research, particularly climate change and climate change impacts, in order to continue to meet our international obligations to the UN and EU. The development of capability in the strategically import area of climate impact assessments on the aquatic environment will represent a considerable contribution to environmental management of this important sector, particularly at policy implementation level. This research builds on past research to facilitate an improved understanding of the range of likely impacts on water quality and the aquatic environment due to ongoing changes in climate and seeks to identify effective measures for improved water management within the Burrishoole catchment in compliance with the Water Framework Directive. The research undertaken will significantly add to reducing knowledge gaps that currently exist with regards to the impacts of climate change, catchment characteristics and impacts on water quality. The research also addresses needs in the area of integrating and optimising data collecting platforms. From a Marine Institute perspective this is a desirable strategic objective, particularly in the context of understanding freshwater\/marine fish growth and survival patterns as climate change stresses build.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18070","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18070","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":405,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Coupled Catchment model\/Constructed Wetland Decision Support System for predicting, identifying and mitigating nitrate and phosphate losses from agricultural catchment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. YQ Zhao","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18071","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18071","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":406,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Fibre Optic hydrogen sensor using a thin film of palladium alloy","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Elfed Lewis","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18072","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18072","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":407,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A novel membrane bioreactor with superior energy efficiency","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eoin Casey","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18073","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18073","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":408,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Non-dispersive spectral-reflectometry for water monitoring","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":null,"Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18074","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18074","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":409,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of an Efficient Autotrophic Biological Nitrogen Removal System for High Strength Ammonium Wastewater Treatment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jianping Li","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Ongoing","ProjectEndDate":"Ongoing","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18075","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18075","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":410,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Wireless Remote Enviromental Monitoring System","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Dooley","Institution":"Maynooth University (NUIM)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Ongoing","ProjectEndDate":"Ongoing","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18076","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18076","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":411,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Horizontal flow biofilm technology for the removal of nuisance odours from waste streams","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Rodgers","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Ongoing","ProjectEndDate":"Ongoing","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18077","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18077","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":412,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A new enclosed air-suction-flow biofilm reactor system for removing organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, gases and odours from wastewater, with bio-pharmaceutical potential.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Rodgers","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Ongoing","ProjectEndDate":"Ongoing","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18078","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18078","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":413,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Biofilm Based Environmental Technologies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Rodgers","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18079","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18079","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":414,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of a novel biosensor probe for the rapid determination of on-line and laboratory biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in surface and wastewaters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Rodgers ","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18080","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18080","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":415,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Multistage Forced Convection Cooler","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Patrick Walsh","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18081","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18081","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":416,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Mathematical modelling of bacterial growth and water quality in natural and commercial environments ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Andrew Fowler","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2014","Keywords":"Biofilm; Water; Mathematical model; Industry","ProjectAbstract":"Biofilms can be described by a mathematical model which charts their growth in different nutrient conditions. Such models will be useful in addressing the issues of biofilm growth in industry (water pipes, etc.) and the environment (in groundwater, for example).","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18082","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18082","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":417,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Towards ocean wave energy-potential quantification from a terrestrially-based seismic observation system (Wave-Obs)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Chris Bean","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2015","Keywords":"Ocean energy; Wave height; Ground vibration; Seismometers","ProjectAbstract":"The relationship between the ocean wave height and the ground vibration strength of the signal recorded on the land based seismometers will be investigated. The study will investigate the sources contributing to the signal during a particular time period, to locate the most dominant source using single stations and finally to calculate a mathematical relationship between the ocean wave height and the microseism, to reconstruct the wave height using only seismic data from onshore seismometers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18083","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18083","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":418,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Seabed and groundwater data to develop new services and to model climate change.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Colin Brown","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"30\/06\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"06\/07\/2014","Keywords":"Groundwater; Coastal; Saline Intrusion; Metals","ProjectAbstract":"This research expands our knowledge of Galway Bay's seabed. In addition, information has been collected for onshore groundwater in what is a well known karstic environment. The aim will be to develop a more comprehensive understanding of groundwater, its vulnerability and interaction with seawater in the coastal area. The data collected and interpreted will provide information on past climate change which can inform our understanding of climate changes taking place today. Metals, including arsenic, are known in Irish groundwaters and coastal marine environments, and the geogenic sources of these are investigated.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18084","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18084","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":419,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"High-end computational modelling for wave energy systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Frederic Dias","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2016","Keywords":"Marine energy; Ocean energy; Wave energy converters; Sustainability","ProjectAbstract":"The research will focus on renewable energy, in particular marine energy derived from ocean waves. While wind energy now is a reality, with, at the end of 2009, a nominal capacity of wind-powered generators of 160 gigawatts (GW) worldwide and a rapid growth - it doubled between 2005 and 2008 - marine renewable energies lag behind these developments. The goal of this proposal is the study, both analytic and computational, of wave impact on Wave Energy Converters (WECs) and of arrays of WECs, adapted to the Irish situation. In order to validate the modelling approach that will be taken, the proposed project will be undertaken in partnership with Aquamarine Power Ltd., the company that has developed the Oyster device, one of the world's largest working hydroelectric WEC (at the time of application), with a target of 110 megawatts (MW) installed in Ireland by 2020.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18085","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18085","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":420,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of self-assembling nanocapsules for environmental applications","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Ian Marison","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2013","Keywords":"Nanostructures; Hydrophobic organic pollutants; Plant seeds; Water","ProjectAbstract":"This research proposes to use natural nanostructures (which are technically termed self-assembling nanocapsules) in remediation to recover hydrophobic organic pollutants from water. The principle aims of the research project are: (1) to extract nanocapsule structures (oil bodies or oleosomes) from a range of oleaginous plant seeds and their press-cakes; (2) to determine the rate of uptake and Langmuir isotherms for the extraction of a range of hydrophobic organic pollutants (having a range of Log Kow values from 1-5) from water using nanocapsules and to compare the results with those using liquid-liquid extraction; (4) to extract the proteins (oleosins) associated with the nanocapsules; (5) to reconstitute capsules from purified oil body proteins.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18086","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18086","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":421,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"International Water Association World Congress on Water, Climate and Energy","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Michael Bruen","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2013","Keywords":"Water; Energy; Climate change; Sustainable cities","ProjectAbstract":"Water and energy are critical for our current society and will be of increasing importance in the future. Climate change is forcing us to reassess our energy usage and will have real and substantial impacts on the water cycle. Solving the interlinked challenges of water, climate and energy in a sustainable manner is one of the fundamental goals of this generation.The Congress will explore the topics of resilient and sustainable cities with a focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation. The challenges of climate change adaptation and incorporating uncertainty into the city vision and infrastructure will be discussed together with the impacts and responses of climate change on water resources. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, operating in a carbon constrained world and a focus on renewable energy including practical applications and integration in to the energy mix will be covered. Solutions to these challenges, including the role of technologies and smart networks will also be a central theme. Recognising that technology is only part of the solution the conference will also address the economic, political and regulatory aspects of water, climate and energy. The congress will attract up to 2,000 international participants for this global event and will feature a large industry presence and trade exhibition.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18087","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18087","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":422,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Magnetically enhanced electro-coagulation system for heavy metal removal from wastewater","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Michael Coey","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"01\/12\/2013","Keywords":"Heavy metals; Electro-coagulation; Wastewater; Water remediation","ProjectAbstract":"Heavy metals are powerful toxic agents, which are released into the aquatic environment by mining and metallurgy industries. Water pollution with arsenic and antimony is a major ecological problem. Based on an Irish mining problem, this project proposes to develop a cost-effective magnetic electro-coagulation method to remove antimony from wastewater. Magnets will be used to create a self-stirring system to enhance electrochemical efficiency and also for high gradient magnetic separation to efficiently remove the resultant sludge. This process has potential for widespread application in water remediation and acid mine drainage, both of which have health and environmental impacts.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18088","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18088","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":423,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"MEBPR","ProjectTitle":"Laboratory evaluation of microcompartment-enhanced biological phosphorous removal (MEBPR) as a potential wastewater treatment process","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Michael Prentice","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2013","Keywords":"Biological Phosphorus; Wastewater treatment; Bacteria; Anaerobic growth","ProjectAbstract":"Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a wastewater treatment process employing microbial consortia selected by alternating aerobic\/anaerobic incubation with wastewater to remove excess inorganic phosphate. Phosphate accumulates inside bacteria as a polymer (polyphosphate) during aerobic growth. However, phosphate is later released when polyphosphate is broken down during anaerobic growth, requiring multiple aerobic\/anaerobic cycles lasting many days before bacteria containing 5-6% phosphorus can be harvested. We have developed a novel technique stabilising polyphosphate in E. coli which achieves a 7% phosphorus content in a single growth cycle. This project will apply this technique to bacteria suitable for growth in wastewater.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18089","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18089","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":424,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Printable highly selective chemoresistor gel-based sensor arrays with antibody - diagnostic platform for rapid sensing of illegal steroids in natural waters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof Paul Calvert","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Science Foundation Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"01\/08\/2012","Keywords":"Domestic sensors; Water pollution; Moniroting; Biological compounds","ProjectAbstract":"Large fixed sensors for smoke and carbon monoxide are familiar in houses. Similar sensors, either fixed of hand-held, can be used to measure a range of pollutants in natural waters. What cannot easily be measured are most biologically important coumpunds, including antibiotics, steroids, other hormones, toxins.This project will develop simple, disposable printed sensors that can be designed to detect any specific compound using enzymes or antibodies to give the specificity. Such sensors would have widespread application for moniroting natural waters and industrial processes.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18090","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18090","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":425,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"OCEAN ACIDIFICATION","ProjectTitle":"Impacts of Increased CO2 on Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof. Colin O'Dowd","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"31\/07\/2010","Keywords":"Ocean acidification; Monitoring; Seawater chemistry; Climate change","ProjectAbstract":"There is growing evidence that ocean acidification is having a negative effect on global marine ecosystems especially marine calcifying organisms and marine resources and services upon which human societies largely depend such as energy, water and fisheries. This project is undertaking research on ocean carbon processes in Irish coastal and shelf waters and will provide a basis for long-term, broader research and monitoring to track alterations in ocean chemistry and changes in the absorption of CO2 by the oceans. It aims to establish high quality chemical measurements capabilities to describe inorganic carbon chemistry in seawater and test automated sensor systems for measuring pCO2 on fixed moored platforms i.e. Mace Buoy and as a shipboard system on the R.V. Celtic Explorer. One of the main objectives of the research is to investigate potential indicators of ecological impacts of ocean acidification and to make recommendations for future research and long-term monitoring in Ireland. This will include the development of a research programme on ocean carbon cycling\/ acidification and related ecosystem impacts.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18091","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18091","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":426,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Microbially-mediated solubisation of phosporate (P) for sustainable agriculture:influence of low input decision-based manangement practice","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof. Fergal O'Gara","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC); Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC); Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18092","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18092","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":427,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"SENSORS","ProjectTitle":"Sensors and Communications Systems for the Marine Environment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof. Fiona Regan \/ Prof. Dermot Diamond","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2008","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2015","Keywords":"Sensors; Water quality; Monitoring; Bacteria","ProjectAbstract":"Beaufort Sensors project is a multidisciplinary research programme. It focuses on the development of bio-sensing platforms for such topical targets as microbes, parasites, pathogens and toxins. At the moment measurement in this area are performed primarily through grab sampling at a limited number of locations and times, which is followed by analysis back at a centralised facility. This cannot guarantee complete knowledge of the water quality and in practice fails to prevent emergency situations such as the Cryptosporidium outbreak in Galway in 2007. The ultimate goal for the developed bio-sensing platforms is to be capable of remote sampling, to perform analysis over extended period of time and to integrate the obtained data in the environmental network database, which will be available in a real time one the web. This will help to locate the source of pollution in the shortest time and enable a rapid response in order to minimise the impact on the population and to prevent further contamination of distribution systems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18093","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18093","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":428,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"AWaTPOP","ProjectTitle":"Automated Wastewater Treatment Plant Optimisation Procedures ( AWaTPOP)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Rafal Urban","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18094","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18094","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":429,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Colorimetric naked-eye sensors for real-time monitoring of anions in biological and environmental samples","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson ","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18095","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18095","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":430,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"An efficient system for the disposal of and energy recovery from slaughterhouse waste","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Xinmin Zhan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18096","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18096","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":431,"ProjectCode":"not EPA","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Validation of a Novel Alum Sludge Based Constructed Wetland Reactor for Treating High Strength Wastewaters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Yaqian Zhao","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Enterprise Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"Completed","ProjectEndDate":"Completed","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18097","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18097","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":432,"ProjectCode":"OCEAN 2013.2","ProjectAcronym":"COMMON SENSE","ProjectTitle":"Cost-Effective Sensors, Interoperable with International Existing Ocean Observing Systems, to Meet EU Policies Requirements\n","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David Murphy (IE), Angela Lally (IE), Yassine Lassoued (IE), Mark Bowkett (IE)\n","Institution":"AquaTT; Dublin City University (DCU); University College Cork (UCC); T.E. Laboratories Ltd\n\n\n","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"28\/02\/2017","Keywords":"Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Monitoring marine environment; Sensors; Data management platform","ProjectAbstract":"Many marine environments, including some of those in EU marine territories, face increasing challenges, such as loss of biodiversity and habitats, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. For Europe, increasing environmental interest and awareness in both public and private sectors is a strategic objective for sustainable development and for ensuring continuity of economic activities. To achieve this, and to improve EU competitiveness, new technologies and methods for monitoring the marine environment are required. COMMON SENSE is a new project that supports the implementation of European Union marine policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The COMMON SENSE project will develop innovative, cost-effective sensors aimed at increasing the availability of standardised data on: eutrophication, concentrations of heavy metals, microplastic fraction within marine litter, underwater noise, and other parameters, such as temperature and pressure. Such sensors will represent an improvement in marine data management and will refine our ability to forecast and assess environmental conditions affecting the whole marine ecosystem. This will be beneficial for protecting marine life, mitigating the anthropogenic and climate change impacts and promoting basic research of marine science. Sensors currently used for these purposes are not generally designed for automatic or low maintenance use. In addition, they can be costly, energy demanding, too large, and not always interoperable with existing relevant observation systems. COMMON SENSE will develop prototypes of in-situ next generation sensors and integrate these sensors into different marine platforms in order to reduce significant sampling and monitoring costs. The next generation sensors will be able to share data with existing and new observing systems and will feed into the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). The project will also develop a data management platform which will help to protect the marine environment and enable the sustainable use of European marine waters. Through the development of automatic, low maintenance and efficient sensors, the tools provided by the COMMON SENSE project will support effective monitoring of our waters and so help protect the marine environment in Europe, enabling a sustainable use of them. COMMON SENSE is coordinated by the Leitat Technological Centre, Spain, and its consortium brings together 15 partners from seven different countries, encompassing a wide range of technical expertise and know-how in the marine monitoring area.","ProjectWebsite":"www.commonsenseproject.eu","InternalProjectID":"18098","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18098","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":433,"ProjectCode":"OCEAN 2013.2","ProjectAcronym":"SenseOcean","ProjectTitle":"Marine Sensors for the 21st Century","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mark Bowkett (IE)","Institution":"T.E Laboratories Limited","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"European Commission","ProjectStartDate":"01\/10\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/2017","Keywords":"Marine Environemntal Services; Complexity; Monitoring sensors; Cost-effective","ProjectAbstract":"The marine environment contributes a broad range of benefits to society such as important economic and environmental resources, recreational opportunities and vital transportation routes. However, the vast and complex nature of the world's oceans means that our ability to monitor the health of these sensitive systems is limited. SenseOCEAN brings together the leading sensor developers from academia and industry across Europe to produce state-of-art in-situ ocean biogeochemical sensor technology. It will involve fundamental innovations in analytical sciences, fusing together new techniques for microfabrication, system integration, self-calibration and cost-effective mass production. Monitoring will carried out with the production of a new generation of sensors using lab on a chip, micro electrochemical, optode, and optical sensor technologies. These state-of-art sensors will monitor with the high precision and accuracy all of the following: the oceanic carbonate system, nutrients, the micronutrient iron, oxygen, nitrous oxide, trace metals (specifically the micronutrient iron) together with optically observed parameters including photosynthetically active radiation, particulate organic carbon, Chlorophyll a, primary production, coloured dissolved inorganic matter and transmission. As such, it will quantify, at scientifically relevant performance, all of the major state variables in ocean biogeochemical processes. This system will be small, integrated and suitable for mass production enabling it to be scaled and used on mass deployed platforms such as the profiling float array (Argo). This project will develop an innovative cost-effective product that will be readily available for mass production. It will advance research of Ocean health by measuring biogeochemical parameter with cost effective sensor packages that can be mass produced for deployment worldwide. The production of sensor packages will have a major impact on the ability of EU SMEs and industry to compete in the growing market of environmental metrology and networked ecosystems.","ProjectWebsite":"www.senseocean.eu\n","InternalProjectID":"18099","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18099","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":434,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Monitoring Criteria for Priority Chemicals Leading to Emission Factors","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Regan","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Emmission factors; Dangerous substances; Criteria","ProjectAbstract":"This project represents an important collaboration between two research centres with analytical expertise, and two County-Councils, building capability to establish emission factors for priority and dangerous substances. Such study will identify index criteria that will assist in defining the monitoring programme in Ireland for WFD . Three parallel projects are interlinked, two PhD and 1 fellowship, will study analytical method developments and data handling. Tasks outlined in each workpackage are encompassed in each project and thus require close collaboration of the team. The project will involve a large sample number to obtain a representative and statistically relevant output. This will provide recommendations to the EPA for a suitable monitoring programme.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18100","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18100","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":435,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Novel Passive Sampling Devices for the Monitoring of Priority Pollutants","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Regan","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Water Framework Directive; Pesticides; Novel Passive Sampling Devices; Priority Pollutant Chemicals","ProjectAbstract":"This proposal involves the development of novel passive sampling devices for routine sampling of priority pollutant chemicals. The passive samplers are based on polymer designed to enrich or sample pesticides and hydrocarbons associated with the WFD Priority pollutant list. Passive sampling is based on free flow of analyte molecules from the sampled medium to a collecting medium as a result of a difference in chemical potentials. A comparison of currently available passive sampling devices with novel materials will be carried out. The novel materials will provide greater selectivity for analyte groups and infrared spectrometry can be used for simple screening.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18101","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18101","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":436,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Development of a Quality Management System for Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants in Ireland.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Josephine Treacy","Institution":"Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Urban Wastewater Treatment; Emissions; Quality management; European Pollution Release and Transfer Register","ProjectAbstract":"In accordance with the European Pollution and Transfer Register, urban waste water treatment plants have to report specific data on air, land and water emissions to the EPA. The competent authority subsequently transmits that data to the European Commission [1].This project will investigate and develop quality management systems for emissions from urban waste water treatment plants in Ireland. The work will also involve developing and pilot deployment of a quality management system comprising monitoring, analysis, inspection and compliance reporting for urban waste water treatment plants. This project will improve waste management plans in Ireland and data reporting initiatives.[1] Regulation EC No166\/2006 of the European parliament and of the council of 18th January 2006, concerning the establishment of a European pollution release and transfer register and amended council directives 91\/689\/EEC and 96\/61\/EEC.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18102","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18102","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":437,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Mobile research monitoring and control (MRMC) infrastructure for on-site wastewater treatment systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Rodgers","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Infrastructure; Wastewater Treatment Systems; Infrastructure; Water quality","ProjectAbstract":"The mobile research monitoring and control (MRMC) infrastructure will allow for the real-time monitoring of wastewater treatment systems providing substantial, accurate and precise research data on their performance. The unit will be transportable in a van and suitable for leaving on-site for a study period of a minimum of 3 days. The collected research data will be used to analyse and optimise the performance of the treatment systems to ensure high water quality in receiving waters. The MRMC facility will be of immense benefit in ensuring proper assessment and operation of wastewater treatment systems in Ireland. It will greatly increase the international journal paper output of members of the applicant?s research team and their collaborators. It could also form the basis of a commercialisation project. 1. MRMC infrastructure will be designed and constructed around state-of-the-art equipmentThe MRMC infrastructure will comprise a central control unit (CCU) with water quality measuring devices and controls (mentioned below). The CCU comprises state-of-the-art equipment from leading manufacturers and process companies (e.g. Foss, Lange, Suez and Veolia etc) with an open ended hardware and software architecture to facilitate additional probes, sensors and controls i.e. additional analogue\/digital cards, and plug and socket type connections that will improve the mobility and flexibility aspects of the infrastructure. 2. The MRMC system measurements will include: flow, temperature, power, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation reduction potential, ammonium nitrogen, conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, orthophosphate, carbon, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide and chlorine in on-site wastewater treatment systems (WWTS).The combination of some or all the above parameters will give a comprehensive overview of the performance of the wastewater treatment system in question. The MRMC infrastructure will allow for the real-time measurement of these parameters for a range of WWTSs. This will be a cost-effective, efficient measuring system that will substantially increase the quality and quantity of data that can be gathered on-site at the WWTS. 3. All sensors and control equipment in the MRMC system will be accessed\/ driven by proprietary software e.g., PLC software and LabVIEW PLC software and LabVIEW with analogue\/digital cards will be used to send signals to the control equipment e.g., samplers and analysers and receive information from the measurement sensors and probes. 4. The resulting data will be stored in the MRMC system for analysis and synthesis. It will be displayed using a human machine interface (HMI) that will be accessed by wireless technology from NUI Galway. The CCU will have data storage facilities. On-site access to the data will be via a HMI on the CCU. Due to the remote location of wastewater treatment systems, remote access will be possible using the PLC software and broadband technologies. Researchers at the team at NUI Galway have experience at setting up these remote connections.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18103","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18103","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":438,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cumulative Phosphorous and Nitrogen Loadings to Groundwater","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mike Carey","Institution":"Entec UK Ltd.","Country":"United Kingdom","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Cumulative impacts; Nitrogen and Phosphorus; Programmes of measures; Loading analysis","ProjectAbstract":"There is currently no methodology available to assess cumulative impacts arising from inputs of N and P. Development of such a methodology will allow better assessment of impacts from such inputs. Classification of GWBs in the next RBMP will require more detailed analysis than was possible for the first RBMP. In particular, quantification of pollutant loadings will be required when assessing the impact of N and P in groundwater on surface water and terrestrial ecosystems. The defensibility of the Programmes of Measures will become a key issue for Environmental Agencies during the next RBMP period. Dependence on analysis of pollutant concentrations alone is likely to be insufficient; loading analysis is likely to be an important contributor to justifications and decision-making. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18104","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18104","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":439,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Investigation of Biodegradable Plastic Production by an Activated Sludge Microbial Consortium Treating Dairy Industry Wastewater.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Niall O' Leary","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Biodegradable polyesters; Wastewater; Dairy processing; Sludge microbes","ProjectAbstract":"Polyhydroxyalkanoates, (PHAs), are biodegradable polyesters which are synthesised intracellularly by a number of microbial species when they encounter an excess of carbon substrate, offset by an inorganic nutrient limitation. The production of these \"bioplastics\" has received significant, global research interest as they offer a potential replacement polymer for environmentally recalcitrant petrochemical plastics. However, fermentation costs coupled with additional downstream processing have thus far hampered the economic competitiveness of PHAs produced from pure cultures. The use of mixed microbial cultures for PHA synthesis offers a possible solution as they can utilise a range of carbon substrates and do not require aseptic fermentation equipment\/handling. The current research project seeks to investigate the potential for stable PHA accumulation by an enriched, activated sludge microbial consortium utilising dairy processing wastewater as feed stock.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18105","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18105","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":440,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"LakeAdmin","ProjectTitle":"Regional administration of lake restoration initiatives","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"mmolloy@galwaycoco.ie","Institution":"West Regional Authority, Galway","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2014","Keywords":"Water management; ","ProjectAbstract":"The economic values of clean and safe water are well established. Lakes, ponds and reservoirs can provide water for drinking, irrigation, recreation, fish, natural and cultural values and other ecosystem services. Domestic and national tourism in lake districts are often of high local and regional economical importance. However, in spite of remarkable investments in wastewater treatment, the quality of many waters is still under pressure of external loading from agriculture and other diffuse sources. These are tackled in the River Basin Management Plans of the Water Framework Directive. Internal loading from sediments and changes in food-web structure also affect the water quality and these problems can be tackled by management and restoration measures in the lakes. The Interreg IIIC project LakePromo in 2004-2007 presented an overview of restoration practices. However, in planning concrete measures there is also need to review the experiences of case studies in more detail. Lake-Admin aims to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies related to water management, specially in the field of lake, pond and reservoir restoration and management; 1. Share and transfer of good water management practices for better water quality and improved usability. 2. Mainstream programmes in each participating regions by developing tangible Implementation Plans which help to adopt good practices in preparing Operational Programmes. 3. Compile good practices and European Lake Restoration Archive of reality-examples into open access guidance material. 4. Recognize the European dimension and expand project mission beyond partner regions considering the new lake standards set by the Water Framework Directive. For most EU states environmental standards for lakes within WFD are new and the obligations to protect or restore are a new and significant challenge. To improve status of lakes in the given time-scales requires us to share all our existing knowledge and experience. Lake-Admin offers an additional, locally focused route to WFD compliance. Ten partners in cooperation with the Managing Authorities and intermediate bodies from nine countries establish a firm basis and wide geographical coverage to capitalize good practices to have truly European-wide added value. Both the leading regions in lake restoration expertise (like Finland, Denmark, Czech, Hungary) and areas with less-experience and often scarcity of fresh water (like Malta, Greece, Italy) are represented. All participating regions have detected lakes as important elements in their regional development policies. In Lake-Admin they will transfer the identified good practices to regional Implementation Plans.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/lakeadmin.savonia.fi\/ ","InternalProjectID":"18106","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18106","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":441,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"SUSTAIN","ProjectTitle":"Assessing sustainability and strengthening operational policy","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"v.cummins@ucc.ie","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2014","Keywords":"Water management","ProjectAbstract":"Background: The increasing intensity of human activities along our coastline (viz. the development of ports and harbours, coastal protection, land reclamation, tourism and sand\/gravel extraction) has a severe impact on coastal communities and natural habitats. The EC has adopted a renewed EU Sustainable Development Strategy. It aims at bringing about a high level of environmental protection, social equity and cohesion, economic prosperity and active promotion of sustainable development worldwide. There are multiple inter-linkages between the key challenges: for example between the use of renewable energy and climate change. Objectives: The key objective of SUSTAIN is to have in place, at the end of three years, a fully implementable policy tool, applicable for all 22 coastal states of the EU, which will ensure that the integrated management of coastal issues will be sustainable. This entails the agreement within the project, of a set of criteria which are readily measurable and which cover both the threats of an unsustainable development and the opportunities provided by a sustainable future which faces all coastal authorities and communities throughout Europe. Partnership: 12 partners including 8 Authorities (4 regional & 4 local). These are Pan European covering the N. Atlantic Seaboard (4), the S Atlantic Seaboard (2), The Mediterranean (5) and the Baltic (1). There are partners from 2 new Member States. Main activities: 6 workshops, 6 interregional-exchange visits & a final international event. There will be 6 management & 6 steering committee meetings (including the kick-off meeting) held back-to-back with workshops or visits to improve value for money. 6 tele-conferences. 12 final national events. Expected outputs: minutes of all the meetings and tele-conferences, 6 progress reports, 6 financial reports, press releases, a series of web-based podcasts, newsletters, a 9 language website, poster, flyer, Final Brochure, a series of website-based pod-casts for a more direct transfer of experience to interested parties.Dissemination pack. 1 guide for sustainability improvement, 1 guide for authorities, 1 report on exchange of experience and one report on sustainability criteria and their assessment (all four in national languages). The expected results are:-1. A well run project. 2. Informed local\/regional authorities, relevant stakeholders and general public. 3. A coherent, sustainable policy driven management tool. 4. Partners with increased sustainability through exchange of experience. 5. A set of criteria agreed and implementable at local and regional partner authority level. 7. Contribution to the implementation of the renewed EU Sustainable Development Strategy and related policies e.g. ICZM, Water Framework Directive (WFD), Maritime Policy and others at local\/regional level.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.sustain-eu.net ","InternalProjectID":"18107","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18107","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":442,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"TRAP","ProjectTitle":"Territories of Rivers Action Plans","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"TOHalloran@swra.ie","Institution":"South West Regional Authority","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2014","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"TRAP deals with the challenge of integrated management of rivers & river territories. Its purpose is to build on and transfer good practices that embed aquatic & cultural heritage landscape protection in regional, sustainable growth solutions. TRAP contributes to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the European Landscape Convention (ELC) and the Europe 2020 strategy. The WFD establishes a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater; good water status is to be achieved by 2015 throughout the EU. The ELC stresses European identity & diversity through the protection, management & planning of European landscapes, living natural & cultural heritage, ordinary or outstanding, urban or rural, on land or in water. Europe 2020 is the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade, aiming at smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Reaching good water quality status, continuing the WFD implementation and addressing the ELC, require considerable resources & upscale development solutions. These relate to regional policy areas dealing with the resources & tools required to improve and sustain river basins' quality, stakeholder involvement & commitment in maintaining good water quality, as well as solutions & tools ensuring high quality, inclusive growth. Thus, the overall objective of TRAP is to benefit from partners' good practices in these policy areas and improve accordingly regional policies & tools. TRAP focuses on 4 THEMATIC AREAS (TA's) for the good practice analysis. The first three build directly on the WFD; their purpose is to support the implementation of the regional river basin action plans (RBAP), while the 4th introduces more directly the growth dimension. TA1 GOVERNANCE:processes ensuring stakeholder commitment to the implementation of the WFD & the RBAP in their regions; especially economic impact assessment tools as a base for stakeholder involvement & consensus buildingmethodologies; TA2 MONITORING: monitoring programmes & measurement tools ensuring the enforceability of the WFD; TA3 AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT:enhancement of the aquatic environment policies, projects, & technologies; TA4 RIVER TOURISM:products, plans & tools integrating landscape protection into diversified (ELC), inclusive river territory development & growth (Europe 2020). POLICY TOOLS: the policy implementation plans target the RBAP:s, regional development plans & liaise with Natura 2000. KEY OUTPUTS: 9 policy implementation plans; 1 jointly developed integrated river territory management model. PROJECT PARTNERSHIP: 10 project partners (PP), out of which 5 are regional policy makers and have provable policy impact potential: Kainuu (FI)-LP, Shannon, MidWest & SouthWest (IE), Wales (UK), SI, Bucarest (RO), Western Macedonia (GR), Zemgale (LV), and (NL). During the prepration period we identified 23 GPs to analyse and transfer, covering both the FWD & the ELC.\n","ProjectWebsite":"www.trapproject.eu","InternalProjectID":"18108","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18108","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":443,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"WF","ProjectTitle":"Waterways Forward","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"labhaoise.mckenna@southtippcoco.ie","Institution":"South Tipperary County Council, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"01\/01\/2010","ProjectEndDate":"31\/01\/2013","Keywords":"","ProjectAbstract":"The main objective of the project is to improve the management of regional inland waterways and the regions adjacent to these waterways by promoting an integrated, sustainable and participatory approach. The project aims at developing recommendations for improved and state of the art governance models that will create a sound basis for more integrated regional policies to boost the socio\/economic development of inland waterways and adjacent areas in a balanced way, through respecting nature and environment (e.g. by cross fertilising WFD River Basin Management with land based management of the regions adjacent to regional inland waterways).There is an increased recognition of the contribution that regional inland waterways make to tourism development, sustainable transport, economic growth and the quality of life of the inhabitants of adjacent areas. As a result waterways are being restored and revitalised throughout Europe as a focus for economic & social development. The increased multifunctional use of regional waterways (including for freight transport, supporting the Naiades initiative for main transport arteries) can have negative impacts on the quality of the environment (e.g more pollution and waste water problems affecting aquatic ecology, unique habitats & drinking water resources). Climate change requires specific policies and approaches to manage regional waterways to tackle problems linked to periodic surplus and shortage of water. The socio\/economic benefit of being a region adjacent to regional waterways is an opportunity which requires up to date governance structures and models and management that takes into account the environmental impacts and climatological effects of the increased multifunctional use of regional inland waterways. The project involves an intensive transfer of know-how on management strategies and regional policies concerning how to deal with the conflicting interests that will arise from an increased mf-use, with a focus on aspects for which local\/regional authorities are responsible or play an important role in the policy cycle (Governance & environmental policies). By creating better conditions for a mixed use of regional waterways, taking into account environmental constraints, WFD, and the effects of climate change, the project will support the sustainable development of waterway regions. Although not the main goal of the project, Waterways Forward will also contribute to the EU sustainability goals on transport.The partnership, including partners from old & new Member States, is balanced.Each partner has specific expertise & knowledge of great importance for the others, and these complementarities guarantee a maximisation of results. All partners have the capacity to define and\/or influence regional policies.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.waterways-forward.eu ","InternalProjectID":"18109","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18109","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":444,"ProjectCode":"CF\/14\/05","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cullen Fellowship - Ocean Climate","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Martin White","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2019","Keywords":"Oceanography, oceanographic data sets, coastal currents, shelf edge current dynamics, continental margin, Ocean climate","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed PhD research aims to assess the inter-annual variability of hydrographic conditions in Irish waters with an emphasis on deep ocean-shelf ocean linkages with an emphasis on a common continental margin feature; the NE Atlantic slope current. Deep ocean data, principally ARGO, will be used to assess changes in distribution of intermediate water masses and the influence they have on winter mixed layer depth and the resultant water mass characteristics transported along the margin. Satellite derived sea surface height data will be analysed to the continuity and variability of the slope current with basin scale forcing as described by the N Atlantic wind stress. Inter-annual changes in seasonally generated shelf sea stratification and density frontal structures will be quantified in terms of the influence of slope current transport along and across the continental margin relative to variation in the local heat and freshwater fluxes. Results will be synthesised and assessed in the context of interpretation of measured changes in the regional ecosystems and biogeochemical processes, for example fisheries and generation of HABs","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18113","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18113","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":445,"ProjectCode":"CF\/14\/02","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Cullen Fellowship - Remote Sensing","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Fiona Cawkwell","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"01\/08\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"31\/07\/2019","Keywords":"Ocean colour, sensors, remoting sensing, water, sea surface height, circulation patterns, observation","ProjectAbstract":"The goal of this project is to characterise the spatio-temporal trends in ocean colour and their relationship with selected key surface ocean circulation patterns around Ireland by analysis of a combination of satellite derived observations. The project will exploit existing daily ocean colour satellite derived products and thus bypass time-consuming data pre-processing, given the work that has already been invested in ocean product development by international partnerships. However, as there are a number of products which could be used, each derived from different instruments or combinations of instruments and using slightly different empirical approaches, it is essential to determine which is the most appropriate to use in Irish waters. For the purposes of this project therefore, the focus will be on case 1 waters, namely the open ocean where the inherent optical properties are dominated by phytoplankton (as opposed to coastal and inland waters where there is also dissolved organic matter and inorganic mineral particles). Cloud cover presents one of the key challenges to Earth Observation activities in maritime mid-latitudes using optical reflectance information, therefore time will be spent evaluating the optimal compositing time periods and data value calculation from daily data, and not relying on pre-defined standard periods. Having successfully developed an ocean colour climatology from daily data validated against historical in situ information, surface trends and patterns at varying spatial and temporal scales will be assessed, and selected features evaluated in more detail using sea surface anomaly information derived from satellite altimetry data and sea surface temperature information from spaceborne thermal sensors. Finally, an appraisal of existing and planned satellite sensors (e.g. Sentinels) and in situ data collection systems will be undertaken, to identify any potential challenges that could preclude routine monitoring of Irish waters, as well as opportunities for the development of new products.","ProjectWebsite":"n\/a","InternalProjectID":"18114","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18114","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":446,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"MOREFISH","ProjectTitle":"MOREFISH: Enhancing production and sustainability in Irish Aquaculture","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Eoghan Clifford","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2014","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2017","Keywords":"Fish; Aquaculture; Technology; Sustainability; Water reuse; Treatment; Wastewater; Energy","ProjectAbstract":"MOREFISH is a Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), multidisciplinary aquaculture project that develops and tests new innovative technologies and novel processes to significantly improve production management and efficiencies at inland aquaculture sites. The project addresses critically important needs identified by end-users including advanced aeration, efficient production management and benchmarking, and deployment of next-generation pulsed light disinfection technologies. These innovations will have key impacts including (i) enhance production efficiency and sustainability, (ii) reducing environmental impacts of aquaculture production and (iii) improved fish health and reduced finfish diseases\/mortalities in rearing systems due to improved operating conditions. The project brings together a critical mass of engineering and scientific expertise, industry stakeholders and policy-makers, commercial operators and international experts to respond directly to pressing technical and policy gaps identified by this DAFM call that cites sustainable aquaculture as a priority with particular relevance to management and alleviation of finfish diseases through development of novel innovations. Specifically, MOREFISH will target the development of beyond-state-of-the-art approaches that will increase fish biomass yields, productivity and stocking densities, mitigate contamination and cross-infection, and reduce production costs and waste. The project proposes a number of key pilot sites (in partnership with industry) to demonstrate key innovations. These pilot sites have been strategically chosen to include key production facilities such as trout production, Atlantic char production and smolt for salmon production.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.morefish.ie","InternalProjectID":"18116","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18116","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":447,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Determination of stream sediment background concentrations in mineralised catchments impacted by mining using Tellus data from Northern Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"B Palumbo-Roe","Institution":"","Country":"United Kingdom","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"06\/05\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/2016","Keywords":"Tellus, stream sediment, chemistry, mining, mineralisation, zinc, lead, chromium, nickel, arsenic, baseline, Northern Ireland, Armagh, Ordovician-Silurian bedrock","ProjectAbstract":"Information on the baseline conditions of water catchments prior to mining is needed to better understand what restoration goals are achievable in mining impacted catchments. The Tellus geochemical baseline data provide a reference point against which changes can be measured and can be used both by industry and regulators in future mine applications. In this project pre-mining baseline sediment concentrations were derived using Tellus stream sediment data for a mineralised area associated with the Ordovician-Silurian rocks in southern Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland. Using exporatory data analysis, lead, zinc, chromium, nickel and arsenic data were examined using exploratory data analysis techniques, revealing several data populations for each element relating to natural geochemical variation and mineral extraction impacts across geological units.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.tellus.ie\/research\/environment\/","InternalProjectID":"18117","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18117","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":448,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Groundwater and land resources in Tellus Border coastal zones","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Eve Daly","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"06\/05\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"15\/11\/2013","Keywords":"Tellus, groundwater pathways, coastal zone, contaminant plumes, airborne geophysics, Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Dundalk Bay, Carlingford Lough","ProjectAbstract":"Identifying groundwater pathways in the coastal zone is important for the management of fresh water resources in coastal aquifers, and protection against land-based sources of organic and inorganic contaminant plumes which can be transported via preferential groundwater pathways to the sea. This research involved analysis of Tellus and Tellus Border airborne geophysical data (magnetics and electromagnetics) in the coastal zones of Dundalk Bay and Carlingford Lough to detect bedrock geological trends, fracture zones and igneous dykes that have the potential to control groundwater flow pathways.
\r\n
\r\nA terrestrial and marine Electrical Resistivity Tomography field survey was also carried out to validate anomalies observed in the Tellus airborne data, possibly relating to offshore freshwater discharge or inland incursion of seawater to coastal aquifers. Many of the observations made warrant further detailed investigation including examining coastal zones across different superficial and bedrock geology types, structural geology settings and aquifer types; assessing the conductivity signature of bedrock lithologies from the electromagnetic data; and examining saline influence in to groundwater bodies.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.tellus.ie\/research\/","InternalProjectID":"18118","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18118","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":449,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Ecohydrological Characterisation of Wetlands in the Border Region of Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Valerie McCarthy","Institution":"Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"03\/01\/2012","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2013","Keywords":"Tellus, geochemistry, geology, wetlands, Borders, ecohydrology, Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems, GWDTEs, Water Framework Directive, Habitats Directive","ProjectAbstract":"There is a lack of baseline data for the full range of Irish wetlands and there remains limited understanding of how anthropogenic and climactic induced hydrological pressures impact on these local wetland systems. Through desk studies, field investigations and field monitoring, detailed ecohydrological conceptual models were developed for 5 representative border region wetlands sites, including Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs) which are currently under particular focus of EU legislation. Tellus and Tellus Border geochemical data was used to examine the occurrence of wetland habitats across a range of geochemical and geological settings to understand where and why different wetland habitats occur within the border counties. This 2-year postdoctoral research informed the assessment of wetland hydrological mechanisms, pressures and ecosystem processes required by the Water Framework and Habitats Directives.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.tellus.ie\/research\/water\/","InternalProjectID":"18119","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18119","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":450,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Soil carbon and peat depth assessment using airborne geophysical data","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jennifer McKinley","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"United Kingdom","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2011","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2013","Keywords":"soil carbon stores, peat, Tellus, airborne geophysics, radiometric, Northern Ireland, remote sensing","ProjectAbstract":"It has become increasingly important to measure and model soil carbon stores and changes in peat stocks to facilitate the management of carbon changes over time. This two-year postdoctoral reseach project evaluated the use of Tellus airborne geophysical (radiometric) data to estimate peat thickness, based on the principle that the radiometric signal is attenuated or reduced by the high water content in peat. Airborne geophysical measurements were validated with ground peat depth measurements combined with non-invasive ground-based geophysical surveys at two bogs in Northern Ireland. Geospatial statistics techniques examined changes in peat stocks over time. The work presents the possibility that by integrating remotely sensed data with ground geophysics, the need is reduced for invasive and damaging on-site peat depth measurements.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.tellus.ie\/research\/environment\/","InternalProjectID":"18120","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18120","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":451,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Monitoring Groundwater Contaminant Plumes using Airborne Geophysical Data","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ulrich Ofterdinger","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"04\/04\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"27\/09\/2013","Keywords":"Tellus Border, groundwater, contaminant plume, leachate, airborne electromagnetic, EM, geophysics, Northern Ireland","ProjectAbstract":"Subsurface pollution plumes, originating from a variety of sources, pose a significant direct risk to water quality. Adequately capturing a groundwater contaminant plume with invasive monitoring installations can be prohibitively expensive. This research explores the incorporation of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data into current assessment tools for the detection and monitoring of subsurface pollution plumes. The airborne data was collected within the scope of the original Tellus and subsequent EU-funded Tellus Border projects.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.tellusborder.eu\/Research\/","InternalProjectID":"18121","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18121","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":452,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"TIWEG","ProjectTitle":"Tellus investigation of wetland ecology and geochemistry","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ray Flynn","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"04\/04\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"27\/09\/2013","Keywords":"Tellus Border, GWDTEs, nutrients, geochemistry, wetland, ecology","ProjectAbstract":"Groundwater dependent ecosystems (GWDEs) occur widely in the area covered by the Tellus surveys (Tellus & Tellus Border). In areas of intense agriculture, excess levels of N and P can impact GWDEs. Current methods to assess risks of nutrients reaching GWDEs by groundwater pathways (risk) rely on vulnerability maps based on subsoil physical properties. However, geochemical conditions can influence nutrient attenuation. The Tellus Investigation of Wetland Ecology and Geochemistry (TIWEG) investigated the potential of Tellus geochemical data to improve current approaches to assessing risk of nutrient enrichment in GWDEs.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/www.tellusborder.eu\/Research\/","InternalProjectID":"18122","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18122","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":453,"ProjectCode":"2015-W-DS-24 ","ProjectAcronym":"Extra TIMe","ProjectTitle":"Developing the Concept of Catchment Services for Progress Towards Integrated Water Management (Extra TIMe)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Alec Rolston","Institution":"Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"29\/02\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"28\/02\/2017","Keywords":"Catchment; Catchment Services; Integrated Water Management; Framework; Community engagement","ProjectAbstract":"Land that channels rainwater and groundwater into a waterbody, that then delivers water to coastal areas, can be called a catchment area. Benefits received by ecosystems and humans from resources and processes supplied by catchments are termed \u2018catchment services\u2019. With catchment-based initiatives in the UK estimated to cost \u00a3100 billion over the next 15 years, understanding and recognising the importance of catchment services in Ireland is paramount to ensure cost-effectiveness of catchment-based actions and engagement with local communities. This \u2018Developing the Concept of Catchment Services for Progress Towards Integrated Water Management (Extra TIMe) Project\u2019 will build on the current DkIT TIMe Project to identify the mechanisms for the feasible delivery of the catchment services concept in Ireland through: 1) Identifying national\/international concepts and implementation of catchment services programmes; 2) Identifying key components of the catchment services concept in Ireland and how these may change under different future scenarios; 3) Identifying the implications of implementing the catchment services concept on governance frameworks and regulations; 4) Identifying the implications for community engagement and catchment management in Ireland; 5) Identifying the feasibility of implementing the catchment services approach in Ireland; 6) Increasing management and community awareness of the catchment services concept in Ireland.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18123","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18123","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":454,"ProjectCode":"2015-W-FS-17","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Modelling Irish transitional and coastal systems to determine nutrient reduction measures to achieve good status","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"2015-W-FS-17","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"31\/01\/2018","Keywords":"Integrated Catchment Management; Biochemical Modelling; Water Quality; River Basin Management Plan; Nutrient Load","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed research entails a detailed literature review of biogeochemical modelling, integrated catchment management and total maximum daily load derivation in order to focus the four main work packages. Improvements shall be made where necessary to DIVAST and DCPM water quality models for the purposes of biogeochemical modelling for the 2nd cycle River Basin Management Plans. DCPM will be benchmarked against DIVAST to determine the veracity of DCPM in identifying suitable nutrient load reduction. DIVAST will be utilised to assess the efficacy of previous nutrient abatement measures in advance of the selection of measures for the coming cycle of RBMPs. The same model will be used to consider the US Clean Water Act Total Maximum Daily Load procedure for a preselected nutrient of concern. The DCPM model will be applied to both transitional and coastal water bodies which were identified in Tier 1 assessment as \u201cat-risk\u201d. The nutrient load reductions which will bring at risk waters into compliance will be reported to inform policy on programmes of measures and RBMPs. Each of the 4 groups previously identified by Shane O\u2019Boyle in PCA analysis will be modelled separately to conceptualise the biological response in each of the 4 categories.
\r\nDeveloping solutions:
\r\nThe DCPM and DIVAST models will be enhanced to improve their usefulness for programme managers. By accounting for nutrient release from sediments in coastal waters, a greater understanding will be gained into coastal nutrient cycling. Pending agreement with the steering committee, a detailed TMDL model of a selected waterbody and catchment may be derived to allocate detailed load allocations for each nutrient source to bring that water into compliance. This prototype may be beneficial in the detailed planning for persistently at-risk water bodies.
\r\nInforming policy:
\r\nThe final reports which will be produced using DCPM to identify nutrient load reductions necessary to bring TraC waters into compliance will inform policy makers as nutrient load reductions will be used by WFD managers to guide them in selecting the individual load reductions required from each source for programmes of measures and thus the next cycle of river basin management planning.
\r\nIdentifying pressures:
\r\nThe final report on the efficacy of different load reduction measures in bringing a transitional\/coastal system into compliance will assist WFD managers by ranking point and diffuse pressures and the associated measures, which may indirectly inform managers in the decision making process for other similar catchments or waterbodies.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18124","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18124","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":455,"ProjectCode":"2015-W-LS-8","ProjectAcronym":"ReCONNECT","ProjectTitle":"Assessment of extent and impact of barriers on freshwater hydromorphology and connectivity in Ireland (ReCONNECT)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mary Kelly-Quinn","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"28\/02\/2019","Keywords":"Freshwater science; Hydromorphology; Connectivity; Barriers; Electronic newsletter; Citizen Science","ProjectAbstract":"The overall objective of this project is to harness the knowledge base and develop a validated methodology for prioritising selection of barriers for modification or removal to improve hydromorphology and connectivity in Irish freshwater systems. The research will be undertaken in collaboration with Inland Fisheries Ireland. It will initially involve an appraisal of methods for mapping barriers. Following identification of effective and efficient methods a number of catchments\/sub-catchments will be selected for surveying and production of a geo-referenced layer of barrier structures in rivers and lakes. In the regional of 20 of these barrier sites will be selected and sampled for macroinvertebrates, macrophytes and fish, upstream and downstream, using both eDNA techniques and routine field methods. Hydromorphology will be characterised to inform assessment of both impacts of barriers and likely responses to their removal. The research will identify and evaluate the applicability of existing tools to simulate the effects of barriers and their removal on river regime and morphology, and the resulting implications for ecology. An economic analysis of barrier removal\/ modification\/other measures will be undertaken. Finally, a validated multi-criteria decision-making methodology, incorporating information derived from the morphological\/hydrological, ecological and economic domains, will be produced to facilitate practical management decisions. The research will yield at least 13 peer-reviewed papers in high impact, international journals. A website will be maintained where progress reports and research news will be made accessible by stakeholders. A biannual electronic newsletter will be produced through the life of the project. It will be downloadable from the website and also circulated electronically to those on a stakeholder distribution list that will be compiled at the commencement of the project. Three PhD theses will be completed and the student will be skilled in applied freshwater science. Final technical and synthesis reports will be compiled, the synthesis report will be particularly useful for communicating the research results to a wide audience. A validated methodology will be produced for multi-criteria decision making in relation to the removal, modification or design of new barriers, which will be of particular use to fisheries and water resources management. A mobile app will be produced to engage professionals and citizen science in the location of barriers, and will be a project legacy item. The training and engagement of citizen science will allow expanded coverage of the country and population of a geo-references GIS layer of barrier locations","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18125","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18125","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":456,"ProjectCode":"2015-W-LS-9","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Disentangling the impact of multiple stressors on the ecology of waterbodies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Yvonne McElarney","Institution":"Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2020","Keywords":"Freshwater; Rivers; Lakes; Stressors; Sensors; Targeted management of resources","ProjectAbstract":"This research will provide vital evidence regarding the influence of stressors impacting both freshwater rivers and lakes. We will collate data in addition to collecting new information, where relevant and possible, to create an Assessment Framework that will help managers identify the main constraints on individual water bodies. The Assessment Framework will be based on novel use of the most appropriate statistical modelling methods developed in close association with EPA scientists and managers. Using this approach we will disentangle the effects of the most influential stressors on freshwater bodies in Ireland. The legacy of this project will include:
\r\nAn Assessment Framework that will be co-produced with EPA scientists to fully meet their needs regarding the identification of stressors and their interaction and impacts on water bodies. Impacts of this Framework will include better, more targeted management of freshwaters. It is envisaged that the Assessment Framework will be flexible and will have the capacity to be updated on the basis of new information collected through monitoring.
\r\nA series of models resulting from individual work packages that can be used as stand alone models, for example, a model will be produced that will predict the time of recovery of lakes based on nutrients bound in lake sediments.
\r\nAt least 4 peer reviewed scientific publications that will be accessible through research databases and research portals such as Research Gate.
\r\nA final report will be produced detailing the technical work that was completed as part of the project.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18126","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18126","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":457,"ProjectCode":"2015-W-MS-19","ProjectAcronym":"SAMFHIRES","ProjectTitle":"Saltmarsh Function and Human Impacts in Relation to Ecological Status (SAMFHIRES)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Philip Perrin","Institution":"Botanical, Environmental and Conservation (BEC) Consultants Ltd.","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"04\/01\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"04\/01\/2019","Keywords":"Saltmarsh; WFD; Biological Quality; Survey; Coastal and Transitional Waters; Assessment tool","ProjectAbstract":"The Saltmarsh Function and Human Impacts in Relation to Ecological Status (SAMFHIRES) project is a 36 month multi-disciplinary collaboration between Botanical, Environmental and Conservation (BEC) Consultants Ltd. and the Department of Botany, Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Through field survey, collation of existing data, modelling and analysis, the project will link anthropogenic pressures to changes in saltmarsh communities and investigate the ecosystems services and ecological functions of saltmarshes in Ireland. Areas of investigation include the impacts of grazing livestock and eutrophication on vegetation communities, biodiversity and net primary productivity. The function of saltmarshes as soft coastal defences will be studied through GIS modelling of LiDAR data, a Floristic Quality Index will be developed to assess biodiversity and under-recorded communities will be studied. By integrating the outputs of this research, it will refine the tool developed by the recent SMAATIE (Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland) project for the purposes of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The tool, which assesses ecological status for part of the angiosperm Biological Quality Element in coastal and transitional waters, will be tested in the field and applied to a selection of water bodies. SAMFHIRES will facilitate Ireland\u2019s involvement in the WFD intercalibration with other Members States. The SAMFHIRES project outputs will include a fully detailed final report, a non-technical synthesis report, and a two-page summary for disseminating to stakeholders. A finalised list of water bodies where WFD saltmarsh monitoring is required, a refined saltmarsh assessment tool and an updated assessment procedure will be produced. Other outputs will include GIS Potential Saltmarsh Area maps in ESRI shapefile format, metric\/Ecological Quality Ratio data for assessed water bodies in Microsoft Excel format and vegetation plot data in Turboveg format. This latter deliverable is compatible with the National Vegetation Database held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. A website for the project will be created and maintained, newsletters disseminated and seminars organised. A dissemination workshop will be held for stakeholders at the end of the project. A minimum of two oral conference presentations will be made. Three to four papers will be published in peer-reviewed journals ensuring Gold or Green level open access. Recommendations will be made with regards agricultural and wastewater policies in coastal areas and on flood defence policy. The project will build research capacity in several priority areas including habitat monitoring and the assessment of ecosystem services whilst also forging links between industry and academia.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18127","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18127","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":458,"ProjectCode":"2015-W-MS-20","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"The Sea-Mat Project","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Liam Morrison","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"01\/03\/2018","Keywords":"Macroalgal Blooms; Persistent bloom; Opportunistic; Environmental conditions; Coastal Monitoring; Biodiversity; Economy ","ProjectAbstract":"Macroalgal blooms are a widespread ecological phenomenon in which algal species such as members of the green algal genus Ulva, brown ectocarpoid algae or other algal species can proliferate in freshwater, estuarine and coastal systems. These seaweeds can thrive to such an extent that they become a social and environmental problem in the form of persistent blooms, forming dense mats or drifts. Growth and accumulation of such blooms may result in anoxic decomposition and release of gaseous sulphur compounds (e.g. hydrogen sulphide, carbon disulphide, methyl sulphide), particularly in large casts. Exposure to these noxious gases can lead to health risks in both humans and wildlife. Environmental impacts of the development and degradation of algal blooms include impacts on local biogeochemistry and biodiversity. This project aims to develop and implement analytical methods for the better understanding of the local environmental conditions that result in the development of opportunistic macroalgal blooms. Furthermore, Sea-Mat will determine the physicochemical and eco-physiological characteristics and the temporal and spatial variations in environmental conditions that potentially influence the development, abundance and species composition of these blooms. The results will inform water management decisions to control blooms in coastal bays and estuaries. This project (Sea-Mat) has the potential to accelerate the development of methods for the better understanding of the local environmental conditions that result in the development of opportunistic macroalgal blooms, as well as the temporal and spatial variations in environmental conditions that influence their development, abundance and species composition. The deliverables of this project will include a final report that will inform and guide policy makers regarding management decisions to control opportunistic macroalgal blooms in coastal bays and estuaries. The generation of four international peer-review publications will increase our international capacity and reputation in coastal environmental monitoring. Sea-Mat will provide a strong basis for a range of dissemination and outreach activities to be delivered via website and social media platforms, school activities and presentations at significant outreach events (e.g. Annual Galway Science and Technology Festival). This study will address the societal needs for environmental monitoring of opportunistic macroalgal blooms and information services, notably in the context of informing environmental legislation and policy, e.g. delivering our green potential ( as per policy document Department of Jobs, Innovation and Enterprise, 2012), including the value of ecosystem services and biodiversity to the economy.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18128","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18128","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":459,"ProjectCode":"2015-W-MS-21","ProjectAcronym":"UisceSense","ProjectTitle":"UisceSense","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Alan O'Riordan","Institution":"Tyndall Institute","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"29\/02\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"28\/02\/2019","Keywords":"Electrochemical Technologies; Water Monitoring; Detection pollutants; Anti-biofouling material; Reliable and Low maintenance cost","ProjectAbstract":"In UisceSense, we aim to develop an innovative platform based on both electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and under potential deposition\/stripping voltammetry) and optical (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) technologies to provide label-free, real-time, sensitive and selective detection of three classes of pollutants (neonicotinoids pesticides, macrolides antibiotics and heavy metals). The active sensing area will be made of an anti-biofouling material to ensure robust and reliable sensing. Also, the active electrodes will be encapsulated in a sacrificial passivation layer that can be remotely removed. This will provide for a fresh sensor to be used in case of failure of one of the sensors, therefore reducing maintenance costs. Finally, the sensor chips will bare up to 10 sensors for multiplexed detection of the selected contaminants. A successful UisceSense project will thus develop, demonstrate and test an innovative water monitoring sensing platform that will provide invaluable information for water management and protection applications. The outputs can be divided into:
\r\n- Project website
\r\n- A minimum of 4 publications in peer reviewed journals will be used to disseminate key information to the scientific community. The partners will provide green and\/or gold-level open access articles.
\r\n- Conference presentations and Workshop organisation
\r\nThe partners will present results at leading national and international conferences to best communicate the results obtained during the project. Key results and policy recommendations from these presentations targeted at policy developers, governmental bodies and funding agencies, will also be available for download and sharing.
\r\n- Project reports","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18129","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18129","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":460,"ProjectCode":"2015-HW-MS-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Potential Sources and Environmental Fates of Certain Phthalates","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jenny Lawler","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"01\/02\/2019","Keywords":"Phthalat; Monitoring; Passive Sampling; Surface water; Wastewater; Potential Sources; Impact","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed research will establish the monitoring and analysis of eleven priority phthalates in Ireland, in order to assess the potential sources and environmental fate of this emerging group of environmental pollutants. Passive sampling combined with standard sampling techniques will be used to evaluate the presence of these compounds in Irish surfacewater, wastewater, treated wastewater, municipal solid waste, compostable waste and dry recyclables, sludge, landfill leachate, and soil. The project will also pioneer the use of sewage as a biomarker for human health in an Irish context. The impact of such study would be the analysis of priority phthalates from source to fate, in order to inform environmental policy on the risks posed by phthalate usage. While some studies have been done on problematic phthalates in other countries in various matrices, no institute has done an in-depth study on the impact of phthalates on the Irish environment and potential associated human exposures and health risks. This project will develop new technologies to inform the Irish EPA and the public on the condition of phthalate presence, and the impact it is having on human health through sewage epidemiology, using a collaborative group of national and international leading experts in this field. This project targets a number of major outputs which will impact various stakeholders, including the scientific and research community, policy makers, and the general public. Each of them will be reached by various means, such as: 1) the main output for the scientific audience is peer-reviewed publications which will present the results of this project and impact the research community by providing significant and novel contributions in the area of phthalate research and the potential sources and environmental fates of priority phthalates in Ireland.; 2) a set of recommendations will be formed and delivered to policy makers in Law and Government domains associated with water and environmental compliance, this will give an opportunity to the policy bodies to take into account the most recent and valuable results of the project and implement policies accordingly; 3) general public is the most sensitive stakeholder in the area of the health impacts of pthalates, it is vital to provide explicit information to the public about project and its outcomes by means of infosheets, open days and a digital marketing campaign. This will inform citizens and give them clear understanding of how science and research can help them in their daily life and health.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18130","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18130","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":461,"ProjectCode":"2015-NC-MS-3","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Ecosystem tipping points: learning from the past to manage for the future","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Deirdre Brophy","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"08\/06\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"07\/06\/2018","Keywords":"Marine; Relationship; Pressures; Ecosystem Structure and Functioning; Communication","ProjectAbstract":"This project uses existing data resources for Ireland\u2019s marine environment to build empirical understanding of the relationships between pressures and ecosystem structure and functioning and develop tools for the detection of ecological tipping points. This will inform the development and implementation of policy by enabling decision makers to assess current ecosystem status, evaluate ecosystem service trade-offs and predict effectiveness of management interventions. The methods developed for the Celtic Sea ecosystem will be applicable to other systems.
\r\nThe project addresses current knowledge deficits, improves understanding of how ecosystems important to Ireland have changed and provides tools to improve forecasting of future changes. Using the Celtic Sea as a model ecosystem, the study will integrate available long-term datasets and interrogate temporal dynamics in several interdependent functional groups (plankton communities; fish species; seabirds; marine mammals). Novel statistical approaches will be used to identify coherence in dynamics and to detect change points indicative of regime shifts. Causal inference methods will help to identify external drivers of observed change (environment and human impacts). Linkages between oceanic and coastal environments will be explored. Methods for detecting thresholds and candidate early warning indicators will be developed in a simulation modelling framework and validated using empirical data. Developing solutions: An Integrated database will enable research and monitoring of ecosystem change. A data visualisation tool will assist exploration of ecosystem change and enhance the communication of research ideas with stakeholders, policy makers and the general public
\r\nInforming policy: International open access peer reviewed manuscripts (6-8 expected) will provide sound scientific knowledge on which to base national and international policy decisions relating to marine ecosystems.
\r\nIdentifying Pressures: An interactive simulation tool will allow researchers, policy makers and stakeholders to explore likely effects of change (via human impacts\/exploitation or environmental change) on ecosystem structure, functioning and stability.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18131","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18131","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":462,"ProjectCode":"2015-NC-MS-4","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Prevention, control and eradication of invasive alien species","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Frances Lucy","Institution":"Institute of Technology Sligo (ITS)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"28\/02\/2019","Keywords":"Natural Capital; Invasive Alien Species (IAS); Horizon Scanning; Reduce spread; Terrestrial and Freshwater","ProjectAbstract":"This research will inform on IAS prevention, control and eradication, key to the Sustainability Call, on managing, protecting and restoring our natural capital. The proposal involves collaboration between some of Ireland\u2019s leading academics and practitioners dealing with invasive alien species (IAS) in Ireland - Frances Lucy (IT Sligo), Joe Caffrey (INVAS Biosecurity, formerly IFI) and Jaimie Dick (Queen\u2019s University Belfast). Two PhD students will be supervised in the project delivery mechanism (Work Packages 1-4). Traditional literature review and innovative \u201chorizon scanning\u201d methodologies will be used to report on the present and future state of IAS in Ireland (WP 1). WP 2 will employ surveys and experiments to inform and improve biosecurity at potential IAS points of entry into Ireland, and also reduce secondary spread within the island. In WP3, rigorous field and laboratory experiments to optimise control and local eradication of two highly damaging invaders in Ireland, the terrestrial Winter heliotrope and freshwater Asian clam, will be used. The first will be targeted with herbicide and adjuvant combinations, and the second with novel deployment of dry ice pellets, following successful laboratory pilot studies by the applicants. WP4 will concentrate on communication for researchers, key stakeholders, policy makers and society. The project will positively impact on the Prevention, Control and Eradication of Invasive Alien Species in Ireland as policy makers, society, research community and key stakeholders become informed on key IAS issues delivered to them via user-friendly protocols, diverse communication modes and peer-reviewed publications. Outputs include:
\r\n
\r\nFinal Report including:
\r\nState of IAS in Ireland (WP1)
\r\nRecommendations for biosecurity protocols at points of entry to Ireland (WP2)
\r\nControl and management options for Winter heliotrope and Asian clam (WP3)
\r\nProtocols (WP2 and 3)
\r\nPublications (WP1, 2 and3)
\r\nAssessment of IAS databases (WP4)
\r\n
\r\nProtocols
\r\nPoints-of-Entry to Ireland: biosecurity protocols and best practice (WP 2)
\r\nBest practice guidelines for control of Winter heliotrope and Asian clam (WP 2 and 3)
\r\nProtocols for specific control products(WP2)
\r\n
\r\nCommunication Deliverables
\r\nProject Webpage including updates (WP4)
\r\nWorkshop on horizon scanning (WP1)
\r\nBiosecurity surveys (WP2)
\r\nPress releases (WP1-4)
\r\nIAS training tools (hard copy and electronic) (WP4)
\r\nSocial media (WP1-4)
\r\nConference presentations at national and international conferences (WP1-4)
\r\nMedia coverage (WP1-4)
\r\n
\r\nThe project will deliver open-access peer-reviewed publications on:
\r\nHorizon scanning workshop outputs (WP1)
\r\nBiosecurity (surveys and experiments)(WP2)
\r\nControl methods for Winter heliotrope and Asian clam (WP 3)
\r\nFuture-brief publication on the implementation of the EU IAS Regulation 1143\/2014 (WP4)","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18132","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18132","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":463,"ProjectCode":"2015-NC-MS-5","ProjectAcronym":"QUBBES","ProjectTitle":"Quantification of Blanket Bog Ecosystem Services to Water (QUBBES)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Raymond Flynn","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"01\/04\/2019","Keywords":"Blanket bogs; Natural Capital; Hydrological process; Surface water quality; Catchment monitoring; Run-off; Ecohydrological models","ProjectAbstract":"Blanket bogs underlie a large area of Ireland and make an important contribution to its natural capital. Although acting as important biodiversity reserves, they also influence water quality and hydrological processes. However, the link between blanket bog ecosystem services and water remains poorly quantified. The proposed research aims to develop numerical models that link ecohydrological processes operating within bogs with flow and water quality in surface water. Model development will be informed by high resolution integrated catchment monitoring in areas of Blanket Bog with contrasting land use, ranging from intact sites to those which have been altered by human activity, including those where blanket bog vegetation is restoring. Integrated hydrological modelling, drawing on outputs from GIS based ecohydrological models and rainfall-runoff models will, when combined with outputs of field studies, defined critical source areas where conservation and \/or restoration measures may be best focused. High resolution quantitative outputs from modelling will permit economic analysis of the impact of contrasting land use activities in terms of water treatment and flood prevention. Application of the approach to ungauged sites using nationally available datasets will define the confidence with which the approach may be applied across the country. QUBBES will generate the following outputs
\r\n1. Three instrumented catchments for high-resolution integrated (eco)hydrological monitoring of blanket bog catchments under contrasting land uses, including intact, degraded and restoring bog.
\r\n2. An integrated catchment ecohydrological database to permit proposed and future research on blanket bog ecology, hydrology and ecosystems services water to be completed at world-class levels.
\r\n3. An ecohydrological modelling tool for identification of areas with hydrological conditions capable of supporting health blanket bog.
\r\n4. Presentations at two national conferences and two international conferences.
\r\n5. At least three peer-reviewed open access international publications.
\r\n6. Two PhD theses on (a) Hydrological modelling of Irish blanket bogs and (b) Ecohydrology and ecosystem services provided by blanket bogs.
\r\n7. An end of project report detailing research completed and informing policy concerning land use in areas covered by blanket bog.
\r\n8. Two stakeholder workshops.
\r\nThese outputs provide a basis to apply existing hydrological expertise, including ecohydrological modelling of raised bogs, to build world class research capacity in blanket bog hydrological and ecohydrological research. The data generated, with inputs from steering committee members, will provide a state-of-the-art capability for assessing and mapping ecosystem services provided by blanket bogs to water.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18133","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18133","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":464,"ProjectCode":"2015-SE-DS-6","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Demand for Water Based Leisure Activity: The Benefits of Good Water Quality","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"John Curtis","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"11\/01\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"10\/01\/2017","Keywords":"Recreational Water-users; WFD; Water Quality; Revealed Preference; Economic value; Behaviour","ProjectAbstract":"This project will produce estimates of recreational water-users' valuations of water quality by WFD status (Bad, Poor, Moderate, Good, High) for the first time in Ireland using revealed preference (RP) data. The research will estimate demand preference models for water-based recreational activity across 24 locations on the island of Ireland as a function of water quality (based on WFD status) and other characteristics. These models will be used to estimate the value (willingness to pay) of water-based leisure activities (e.g. angling, boating, etc) (distinct from estimates of expenditures associated with such activities) as a function of site characteristics, including water quality. Accordingly the analysis will be able to provide direct estimates of how individuals benefit from high water quality status, as revealed by their actual behaviour (e.g. trips taken, money spent on items such as transport and recreational equipment). The research output will be in the form of a number of papers and reports. The research will inform policy decisions and a wider public debate on the benefits of clear water as well as the potential return on investment in environmental protection. Such research evidence will be an important input into debates on the allocation of public spending. Three peer reviewed journal papers are anticipated plus final\/synthesis\/summary reports. In addition to reports and papers the research will be disseminated via non-technical policy orientated Research Bulletins, a policy seminar, a half day environment policy workshop, plus presentations at academic conferences. The research will also contribute to the training of a post-doc researcher and strengthen the capacity to undertake research of this nature into the future.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18134","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18134","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":465,"ProjectCode":"2015-ET-CP-69","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"EPA Lean Water Community of Practice Phase 2","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ken Stockil","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"16\/12\/2016","Keywords":" Water Community; Programme; Water management; Environmental outcomes; Maintenance","ProjectAbstract":"The proposed EPA Lean Water Community of Practice Phase 2 project is aimed at building on the EPA Lean Water Community of Practice Programme success to-date and further developing the programme and national network of Large Water Users by working with existing stakeholders and engaging with new sectors and stakeholders in order to underpin better water management practices across industry in Ireland and associated better environmental outcomes. During this phase the focus will be the maintenance, operation and further development of the existing Lean Water CoP, and the associated supports, services and tools. Work will also be carried out to add additional value by engaging with additional sectoral partners, and building links with other synergistic Programmes to achieve a mutually beneficial aims.
\r\n
\r\nCurrent Members include: Amgen, Analog Devices, ABP, Boston Scientific, GSK, Intel, Pfizer, Arrabawn, GE Healthcare, Irish Water, Wyeth, Aughinish, Vistakon, Janssen Bio, DePuy, UCP, MSD, Bord Na Mona and others
\r\nThis project proposal is focussed on the continued operation and development of a support programme for large water users in Ireland. A key added dimension of Phase 2 of the project is concerned with transferring the knowledge and techniques developed in phase 1 to additional sectors and firms in Phase 2.
\r\n
\r\nKey outputs such as the toolkit development and new case study collateral will be believe offer significant demonstration collateral on the benefits and practical application of lean principles to the management of water across Irish sites irrespective of sector. Peer to Peer meetings, Joint Planning with Irish Water and other National Water Stakeholders along with expanded dissemination approaches will all deliver enhanced impact in Phase 2.
\r\n
\r\nThe project outputs will be disseminated via a variety of channels and existing complementary Programmes and structures as identified herein and also via a revamped and rebranded website for the purpose leanwater.ie","ProjectWebsite":"www.leanwater.ie","InternalProjectID":"18135","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18135","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":466,"ProjectCode":"2015-CCRP-DS.10","ProjectAcronym":"ARC","ProjectTitle":"Adaptive Responses to Climate Impacts (ARC)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Thomas McDermott","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2017","Keywords":"Climate impacts; Irish economy; Flooding; Adaptation; Policy; Stakeholder engagement","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of the ARC (Adaptive Responses to Climate impacts) project is to develop a framework for costing the impacts of climate change on the Irish economy and assessing the options for adaptation, with a specific focus on the role of key stakeholders. By addressing a current gap in the information available to those who wish to design adaptation strategies this research bridges the gap from vulnerability and impact assessments to the formulation of evidence-based adaptation plans. We will apply our framework to the specific case of flood risk in the Cork\/South West region of Ireland. The project will begin with a stakeholder forum, to include policy makers, local authorities, business groups and the insurance industry, to assess information needs and concerns of those exposed to current and future climate risks. Our analysis will then concentrate on two parallel but interlinked research strands; (1) empirical estimates of the costs of climate impacts without adaptation \u2013 with a particular focus on flooding and (2) investigating the range of adaptation options available, including the appropriate role for insurance. The outputs from our project will include recommendations on the use of tools and methods for costing climate impacts; findings from the empirical study on costs of flooding; policy recommendations on the design of adaptation strategies; and implications for private sector including insurance. Our research agenda will be stakeholder and policy-driven, resulting in outputs aimed directly at policy-makers (including policy briefs and papers), but will also be of the highest international academic standards and result in publications in top-ranking international peer-reviewed journals. Our approach involves stakeholder engagement from the outset, with the aim of tailoring our research to the needs of policymakers and other interested parties and ensuring the take-up and enduring influence of our findings beyond the life of the research project. The ARC project also fosters inter- and trans-disciplinary research in Ireland and strengthens the liaison with the international research community on costs of climate change.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18136","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18136","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":467,"ProjectCode":"13 S 488","ProjectAcronym":"HARMONY","ProjectTitle":"High Status waterbodies: Managing and Optimising Nutrients","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr. Karen Daly, Teagasc","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/13","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/17","Keywords":"nutrient management strategies, catchments, socio-economic tools","ProjectAbstract":"The principal objectives of the WFD are to maintain \u2018High\u2019 and \u2018Good\u2019 water quality status where it exists and achieve at least \u2018Good\u2019 status for all waters by 2015, however, the EPA has noted a decline in the numbers of high status sites over the past twenty years. Most of these sites are located in upland areas, clustered along the western seaboard with a high proportion of peat soils in their catchments. Agriculture in these areas is typically extensive; however, poor management of nutrient on farms can cause a significant pressure in sensitive catchments. Farmers living in these areas require nutrient management strategies that take account of the soil and topographical constraints within the landscape. Furthermore, a strong participatory approach to nutrient management from the farming community is necessary if mitigation strategies are to be adopted and successful. This proposal will integrate agri-environmental research with socio-economic tools to provide evidence-based measures for nutrient management that are cost-effective and acceptable to the farming community in these catchments. This project will characterise the catchment characteristics and assess the current nutrient management practices in case-study catchments. New agronomic and hydrology research will address the nutrient efficiency and hydrological constraints on nutrient management in sensitive catchments. A list of potential measures will be proposed arising from the research, and a socio-economic evaluation of their cost-effectiveness and likelihood of adoption will be made across the farming community.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18138","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18138","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":468,"ProjectCode":"13 F 507","ProjectAcronym":"DairyWater","ProjectTitle":" Development of a water use and waste management framework for the Dairy processing industry","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Xinmin Zhan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/13","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/17","Keywords":"resource efficiency, rainwater harvesting","ProjectAbstract":"The abolition of EU milk quotas in 2015 will offer increased prospects for the Irish dairy industry. A growth of 50% in milk production by 2020 is expected. This will challenge the dairy industry and significant improvements of resource efficiency in water and energy, and waste management are required. This project aims to identify effective and sustainable technologies, which will treat dairy waste and reduce water usage in the dairy processing sector. We propose to examine NUIG-developed intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor (IASBR) technology and TCD-developed nanomaterials for removing biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen and phosphorus from the dairy effluent to reach the discharge standard. Water reuse and rainwater harvesting technologies, integrated with pulsed UV systems developed by Athlone IT and NUIG, will be investigated to enable water use reduction. Life cycle analysis of water use and dairy waste management will be conducted and will assess the advantage of using the proposed technologies. A cost-benefit analysis will also be undertaken. Results from this project will be disseminated enabling adoption by stakeholders. This project will be alignment with national and international policies by turning wastes into resources.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18139","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18139","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":469,"ProjectCode":"PDOC\/ME\/13\/01","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Biogeochemical Cycling of Carbon and Nutrients in Irish Marine and Estuarine Waters","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Triona McGrath","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"08\/07\/2013","ProjectEndDate":"28\/08\/2016","Keywords":"Climate change, Ocean acidification","ProjectAbstract":"The oceans absorb approximately one-third of the carbon emissions released to the atmosphere as a result of human activities. Ocean acidification (OA) is the lowering of pH and concentration of carbonate ions in seawater due to increasing atmospheric CO2. Organisms that incorporate CaCO3 into their shells and tissues, including corals, calcareous algae, echinoderms and shellfish, find it more difficult to produce their shells in a more acidic ocean. The North Atlantic is particularly susceptible to OA due to newly ventilated deep water along with cool temperatures. OA is occurring at an unprecedented rate and research is therefore needed to understand the changing ocean chemistry and potential impacts on marine ecosystems. The main objectives of this project are to support ongoing winter time series of nutrient and carbonate chemistry in Irish coastal, shelf and offshore waters to determine how the Irish marine environment is changing with time. Rates of acidification and levels of anthropogenic carbon will be determined in the Rockall Trough, an important oceanographic region ocean-climate research. The project also aims to describe the spatial and temporal evolution of the CO2 system in Irish estuaries and coastal waters to determine if these areas are sources or sinks of atmospheric CO2. New carbonate data will be supported by existing physical and chemical datasets held by the MI and the EPA and will help to predict the potential impacts of OA on Irish marine ecosystems, including the Irish shellfish industry. Finally, a desk study on transient tracers in the ocean will generate information on the current techniques and approaches for determining water mass ages that could be applied in future offshore oceanographic surveys. This will not only increase our understanding of circulation in the region, it will allow us to calculate the concentration of anthropogenic carbon in intermediate and deep water masses.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18140","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18140","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":470,"ProjectCode":"CF\/15\/01","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Biology Oceanography of Azadinium","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Nicolas Touzet","Institution":"Institute of Technology Sligo (ITS)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"15\/10\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"15\/09\/2018","Keywords":"Azaspiracids, Azadinium, shellfish, coastal waters","ProjectAbstract":"In the context of the EU Water Framework and Marine Strategy Framework Directives, AZBO aims at carrying out frontier research on HABs in Irish coastal embayments. The global implications of HABs, which have severe impacts for human society in terms of health, economy and environmental quality, provide firm justification for funding and are clearly aligned with the remit of national and European research strategies such as the Irish NRPE report and EU Horizon-2020 initiative. AZBO will benefit from collaborations with academic and SME partners, national linkages with EPA and Marine Institute programmes and ongoing relationships with partners abroad. Specifically, the objectives of AZBO are centred around three pillars :
\r\n1- To investigate the diversity and azaspiracid production potential of Azadinium and closely related species in Irish waters
\r\n2- To better document the biological oceanography of Azadinium in the strategically important estuary for aquaculture that is Killary Harbour
\r\n3- To investigate the apparent discrepancy of shellfish contamination with Azaspiracids associated with relatively low numbers of Azadinium cells in the water column
\r\nThese will be addressed using a range of laboratory, desktop and field based analyses, thereby returning new knowledge on the molecular ecology and biology of Azadinium in Irish coastal waters. In terms of its intrinsic scientific value and its wider social and environmental benefits, AZBO is planned out with realistic goals and clearly defined deliverables. AZBO originality and innovative thrust will return outcomes that will substantially advance our understanding of HAB dynamics in coastal embayments in support of the shellfish aquaculture industry.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18141","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18141","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":471,"ProjectCode":"CF\/15\/08","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"GIS decision and Plan-Making Support System","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bj\u00f6rn Els\u00e4\u00dfer","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Northern Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"31\/12\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"01\/01\/2019","Keywords":"Marine spatial planning, Marine atlas, marine renewable energy, tidal turbines, wave energy","ProjectAbstract":"Projections for the development of marine sector indicate that industrialization of the marine environment is likely to accelerate in the coming decades. Making room for new marine uses and safeguarding traditional ones, will require the adoption of new integrated management strategies.
\r\nThe adoption of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is advocated as a means of addressing potential conflicts and managing the development pressures on the marine environment & resources particularly in Ireland with its extensive surrounding seas. MSP is promoted as a means of managing human uses of the sea in a sustainable manner and to improve decision making. It is a planning process that enables integrated, forward looking, and consistent decision making on the human uses of the sea.
\r\nIreland\u2019s Marine Atlas provides an ideal starting point for the collation of essential MSP data. To test the available data, and to identify gaps, this project will adopt a scenario building approach. It will focus on testing the hypothetical scenarios relating to the planning and development of an array of marine renewable energy installations.
\r\nUtilising the Marine Atlas as a foundation this project will establish methodologies and protocols for data collection, develop decision support tools and models to examine trade-offs, test their utility and draw conclusions with respect to improving datasets and decision making tools.
\r\nThe adoption of the planning of a marine renewable energy array to test the data sets an decision making tools is appropriate as the planning of an array of tidal turbines or wave energy converters has to take into consideration a large range of factors. The introduction of such an array would have to take into account multiple aspects. Due it the complexity of this type of development, data sets and tools refined through this planning scenario will be transferrable to other areas of marine planning.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18142","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18142","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":472,"ProjectCode":"CF\/15\/05","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Resolving the Organic Carbon Budget of a salmonid humic lake","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eleanor Jennings","Institution":"Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Marine Institute","ProjectStartDate":"21\/10\/2015","ProjectEndDate":"30\/10\/2018","Keywords":"Soil carbon, peat catchments, humic, lake, freshwater, Lough Feeagh","ProjectAbstract":"Peatlands contain extensive global stores of soil carbon (C). Water draining peat catchments are generally coloured due to high levels of dissolved organic carbon. The export of this allochthonous carbon can represent the main C source to downstream lakes and therefore fuel the lake foodweb, especially in systems that are oligotrophic. Human activities have greatly modified C exchange between the atmosphere, land and downstream freshwater bodies in recent decades, including in peatland catchments. This export of C can lead to further export of gaseous C to the atmosphere when it is decomposed in surface waters. Knowledge about the redistribution of any C added to the cycle is crucial, not only to understand global cycling, but mitigation and management strategies in affected catchments. This project will investigate the C cycle in a west of Ireland catchment, building on work that has already been undertaken between the principle applicant and the Marine Institute researchers in the Burrishoole catchment, Mayo. It will quantify both dissolved and particulate carbon export from the catchment to the Lough Feeagh, and from Lough Feeagh to downstream Lough Furnace, estimate carbon fluxes to the atmosphere, and track carbon fluxes through differing trophic levels. The results will contribute to an increased understanding of the role of catchment derived carbon in the foodweb of a humic lake, and have relevance for carbon budgets in humic systems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18143","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18143","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":473,"ProjectCode":"Queen's University Belfast","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Determining fractured bedrock aquifer parameters using magnetic resonance sounding to better constrain numerical groundwater models in support of catchment scale water resource management.","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Ulrich Ofterdinger","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Magnetic Resonance Sounding; Hydrogeological; Aquifiers; Groundwater; Transport; Catchment","ProjectAbstract":"The project will investigate the relationship between key hydrogeological parameters within fractured bedrock aquifers across varying scales of observation using Magnetic Resonance Sounding in order to provide more certainty with regard to assessing groundwater flow paths and contaminant transport processes within the framework of catchment scale water resource management.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18144","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18144","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":474,"ProjectCode":"No. 11","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Characterisation of stable isotope fractionations during reactive transport of phosphate in groundwater discharging to a groundwater fed lake (Lough Gur, Co. Limerick)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof. Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Austria","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Lake; Groundwater; Phosphate; Tracer; Isotope; Characterise; Nutrient cycling","ProjectAbstract":"Lake groundwater discharge is often overlooked and the focus of this study is the novel application of phosphate (\u03b418OP) as a tracer of P to a groundwater fed lake. Other established isotope techniques will characterise the source of water and biogeochemical processes contributing to nutrient cycling within the lake.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18145","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18145","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":475,"ProjectCode":"No. 12","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Linking sources of contamination of groundwater resources with naturally occurring arsenic in metasedimentary rock in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Liam Morisson","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Arsenic; Water Framework Directive (WFD); Bedrock; Aquifiers","ProjectAbstract":"Elevated arsenic concentrations have been reported at certain locations around Ireland as a result of routine testing of drinking water supplies under Ireland\u2019s Water Framework Directive (WFD) obligations. The project will investigate the origin and mobilisation of geogenic arsenic in groundwater flowing through fractured metasedimentary bedrock aquifers.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18146","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18146","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":476,"ProjectCode":"No. 21","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Using Tellus electromagnetic and geochemical datasets to improve soil mapping in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Mark Holdstock","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Soil; Classification; Geochemical; Geophysical; Tellus","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this work is to classify Irish soil types based on their geochemical and geophysical characteristics. Working with GSI staff, our research will directly compare output from the airborne geophysical and ground geochemical components of the recent Tellus Border and Tellus North Midlands surveys with published geological information.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18147","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18147","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":477,"ProjectCode":"No. 23","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Production of a handbook of karst for Irish hydrogeologists","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Mr Coran Kelly","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Karst; Groundwater; Hydrogeology; Characteristics","ProjectAbstract":"The compilation of a guide to the main characteristics of the hydrogeology of karstified limestone and how best to investigate groundwater in karst, with particular regard to Ireland. It will be of use primarily, to practicing hydrogeologists and allied specialists who lack formal training in karst hydrogeology but who may be required to undertake work in karst.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18148","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18148","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":478,"ProjectCode":"No. 29","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"All-Ireland karst features dataset","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Kirstin Lemon","Institution":"","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Dataset; Karst; Visual; Spatial","ProjectAbstract":"This project will extend the GSI Karst Features dataset north to produce an all-Ireland dataset so that the full extent of Irish karst can be properly visualised and appreciated. It will assess the viability of spatial dataset interpretation to identify karst features combined with ground truthing verification across two sites.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18149","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18149","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":479,"ProjectCode":"No. 30","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Deposition and accumulation of microplastics and pollutants in marine sediments from the Irish continental shelf","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Audrey Morley","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Shannon; Sediment; Aaran Islands; Nephrops; Pollution; Microplastics; Heavy Metals; Economics; Ecology","ProjectAbstract":"The Shannon delivers a high sediment load west of the Aaran Islands, providing habitat for Nephrops but also sources of pollution including microplastics and heavy metals. Here we are developing a method to identify microplastics and heavy metals deposited in marine sediments for an economically and ecologically important fishing ground.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18150","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18150","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":480,"ProjectCode":"No. 32","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Assessing marine and anthropogenic influences on the terrestrial biosphere strontium isotope budget","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Quentin Crowley","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Soil; Chemistry; Agriculture; Isotope; Geochemical; Fluxes","ProjectAbstract":"This project aims to characterise modifications of soil chemistry due to marine and agriculturally-derived influxes. Tellus geochemical data will be used to identify deviations from expected trends. Additional samples will be selected for strontium isotope analysis, resulting in a more accurate estimate of geochemical fluxes in the contemporary Irish biosphere.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18151","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18151","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":481,"ProjectCode":"No. 39","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Development of integrated protocols for the rapid mapping and assessment of metal contamination in intertidal and supratidal environments","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Helen Roe","Institution":"Queen's University Belfast","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Mapping; Metal; Contaminants; Protozoans; Geochemistry","ProjectAbstract":"This project aims to develop new methodologies to aid in the rapid mapping and assessment of metal contaminants in intertidal and supratidal environments. The study will employ multidisciplinary approaches that will utilise ITRAX-core scanning, intertidal foraminifera, a group of protozoans that are sensitive to metal contamination, and Tellus geochemistry data.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18152","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18152","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":482,"ProjectCode":"No. 41","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Mapping the spatial and temporal variations of water quality in Dublin Bay","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof. Dermot Diamond","Institution":"Dublin City University (DCU)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"","ProjectEndDate":"","Keywords":"Dublin Bay; Sensors; Satellite; Water body; Predictive; Models","ProjectAbstract":"This project aims to generate real-time information on water column variables occurring in Dublin Bay using in-situ sensor measurements. Data generated will be used in tandem with remote (including satellite) sensing data that will ultimately provide the information to inform predictive models on events happening within the water body.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18153","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18153","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":483,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-LS-11","ProjectAcronym":"NEWTRIENTS)","ProjectTitle":"Novel Eco-sensitive Wastewater Treatment Recovering dairy Industry Effluent NuTrientS","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Gavin Burnell","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"31\/03\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"30\/03\/2021","Keywords":"Innovative water technologies; wastewater; dairy; resource recovery; circular economy; ","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18159","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18159","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":484,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-LS-10","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Sources, Pathways and Environmental Fate of Microplastics","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ian O'Connor","Institution":"Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"17\/01\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"16\/01\/2020","Keywords":"Safe water; microplastics; pathways; critical source areas; catchment characteristaion tool; freshwater; point sorurces;","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18160","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18160","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":485,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-DS-25","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"A Roadmap for a National Water Stewardship Plan for Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ken Stockil","Institution":"Central Solutions Ltd","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"16\/01\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"15\/01\/2018","Keywords":"Understanding, managing and conserving our water resources; roadmap; standards, policy; incentives; water security; sustainable development goals; stewardship; ","ProjectAbstract":"Water is currently under pressure in terms of availability and quality. Poor supply headroom, flooding and increased pollution risks are resulting in a wide range of ecological, social and competitiveness impacts. Global demand for water has increased six fold within the past century and the UN estimates demand will outstrip supply by 2030. Therefore, sustainable management of water as a resource is becoming increasing more critical.As noted by the EU policy, such as the Water Framework Directive and related legislation, water stewardship is a useful framework to address water challenges and to implement water policy. The benefits of Water Stewardship is that it is underpinned by an inclusive-stakeholder process requiring site-action yet is framed in terms of the broader catchment; requiring cooperation and partnerships between key stakeholders, such as water users and river-basin management bodies. This research will develop a roadmap in terms of standards, policy, incentives and supports that will enable a wide-range of Irish stakeholders to take a leadership position in the area of Water Stewardship internationally; thus contributing to increased national competitiveness while also addressing global challenges and sustainable development goals such as greater water security.
\r\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18161","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18161","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":486,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-LS-12","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Innovation Water Technologies","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kevin Fitzgibbon","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"30\/01\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"29\/01\/2019","Keywords":"Safe water; real-time monitoring sensors; integrated environmental monitoring system; water flow; water quality; assimilative capacity; effluent; wastewater treatment plant;","ProjectAbstract":"The main aim of the project is to build on previous research work at Nimbus to develop a novel water and environmental monitoring buoy with integrated real-time monitoring sensors for water and environmental quality assessment. This integrated environmental monitoring (IEM) system will provide spatially accurate and continuous environmental real-time data, thus allowing a more virtual connection with the environment and water resources which we need to protect. This project intends to address the need for accurate real-time data gathering by developing a multi-sensing IEM buoy which can accurately measure the flow and water quality parameters, and gather real-time data records of the condition of receiving waters. The observed data will be transmitted to a cloud-based platform. Other existing data sources will provide input to the platform: historic weather records and water level data for watercourses; weather forecast; and both process parameters and effluent quality monitoring data from the WWTP. Inbuilt intelligent software and algorithms, used in combination with the proposed and existing data sources, will calculate the real-time assimilative capacity of the water, i.e. will result in the definition of effluent quality and quantity acceptable for the receiving waters.
\r\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18162","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18162","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":487,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-DS-27","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Identification and Mapping of Water-related Infrastructure in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kevin Fitzgibbon","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"16\/01\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"15\/01\/2018","Keywords":"Emerging and Cross-cutting Issues; water research; monitoring infrastructure; online inventory; database; mapping; roadmap; ","ProjectAbstract":"The main aim of this project is to comprehensively research, identify and map the location of all relevant water-research and monitoring infrastructure around Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The results will be collated and an extensive database and online inventory will be created which will present the study findings and mapping results in a clear and easy to use format. The catalogue database will contain all relevant information on the available infrastructure including their purpose, facilities and equipment, ownership, access, connectivity, and associated costs etc. A sustainable maintenance solution of the database will also be considered and a plan for post project maintenance will be outlined. Based on the study findings and gap analysis a roadmap outlining recommendations how best to develop a smarter water-research infrastructure in Ireland will be developed.
\r\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18163","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18163","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":488,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-DS-28","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Water Re-Use in the Context of the Circular Economy","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Kevin Fitzgibbon","Institution":"Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"16\/01\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"15\/01\/2018","Keywords":"Innovative water technologies; water reuse technologies; circular economy; IED\/IPC Licensing database; water reuse perception; systemic approach; ","ProjectAbstract":"The aim of this project is to investigate developing innovative water reuse technologies to enable a transition towards a systemic water circular water economy in Ireland. The goal is to evaluate these technologies in terms of their economic and technical feasibility, and to ultimately support the adoption of the most appropriate technologies in an Irish context. It is proposed that this desk based research will incorporate research and focussed stakeholder engagement. The primary research source that will be utilised to identify sites within Ireland treating significant quantities of wastewater is the EPA IED\/IPC Licensing database. Stakeholder engagement will be used in the quantitative and qualitative analysis at the defined representative main sites to validate information obtained during the database searching and to audit the sites. It will also incorporate aspects of behavioural social science to gain an insight into water reuse perception. The process will be wide-ranging & collaborative, involving all relevant stakeholders in water sector. It is envisaged that this collective process will result in the foundation blocks of shared understanding of issues in an Irish context, and the development of a shared commitment to developing solutions for implementation of a successful systemic approach to water reuse in Ireland.
\r\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18164","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18164","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":489,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-LS-13","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"EcoMetrics - environmental supporting conditions for Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"31\/03\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"31\/03\/2020","Keywords":"Ecosystem services and sustainability; Groundwater Terrestrial Dependent Ecosystems; turlough; fen; raised bog; Water Framework Directive; geospatial register; environmental conditions;","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18165","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18165","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":490,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-DS-26","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"De-sludging rates and mechanisms for domestic wastewater treatment system sludges in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"31\/01\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"30\/01\/2018","Keywords":"Innovative water technologies; domestic wastewater treatment systems; Water Services Act; sludge management; greenhouse gas emissions; geospatial decision support tool model; ","ProjectAbstract":"The project will provide independent evidence of the necessity to operate and manage domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS), including the appropriate de-sludging frequency; the proper de-sludging mechanisms; as well as associated costs of proper operation and maintenance of systems to provide advice to homeowners on how to comply with the Water Services Act 2007 and Water Services (Amendment) Act, 2012. This will feed directly into the outreach plan to rural dwellers as currently being developed by the NIECE Engagement Strategy Working Group. This will be achieved by a combination of international best practice review as well as analysis of existing data from previous research studies in Ireland of 20 field studies by the TCD research group. The project will then also target additional field study derived information to provide baseline information to back up the previous guidelines as well as to feed into a strategic assessment of DWWT sludge management for Ireland. The proposal therefore is to: quantify sludge accumulation rates in existing DWWTS; quantify greenhouse gas emissions from DWWTS (currently being carried out by a parallel project); and then develop a geospatial decision support tool model in order to compare different strategic options for DWWTS sludge management in Ireland.
\r\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18166","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18166","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":491,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-MS-23","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Impacts of Microplastics on the Irish Fresh Water Environment","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Marcel Jansen","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"31\/03\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"30\/03\/2020","Keywords":"Safe water;microplastics; freshwater; sources; environmental fate; biological impacts; freshwater aquatic organisms; ","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18167","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18167","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":492,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-MS-24","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"DiffuseTools: Catchment Models and Management Tools for Diffuse Contaminants (Sediment, Phosphorus and Pesticides)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Michael Bruen","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"31\/03\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"30\/03\/2019","Keywords":"Understanding, managing and conserving our water resources; catchment model; water quality; source-pathway-receptor; pollution source; critical source areas; connectivity; sediment; nutrients; pesticides; mapping; ","ProjectAbstract":"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 to1. 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.
\r\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18168","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18168","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":493,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-DS-29","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"High-Resolution Gridded Datasets of Hydro-Climate Indices for Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Nolan","Institution":"National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency; Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/02\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"31\/01\/2018","Keywords":"Ecosystem services and sustainability; Potential evapo-transpiration; actual evapotranspiration; soil moisture deficits; rainfall ontensity; standardised precipitation index; gridded climate dataset; hydro-climate variables; ","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18169","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18169","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":494,"ProjectCode":"2016-CCRP-MS.37","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Tools for Climate Change Attribution of Extreme Weather Events","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Paul Leahy","Institution":"University College Cork (UCC)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"03\/01\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"02\/01\/2019","Keywords":"Ireland's Future Climate, its Impacts, and Adaptation Options; extreme weather events; climate change; attribution studies; flood; hydrological; weather; ","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18170","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18170","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":495,"ProjectCode":"2016-NC-MS-7","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Managing invasive alien plants in Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Bruce Osborne","Institution":"University College Dublin (UCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/03\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"01\/09\/2019","Keywords":"Natural capital and ecosystem services including soils and biodiversity; biodiversity; ecosystem functions and services; plant invasions; invasives; ","ProjectAbstract":"Invasive alien plants represent a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystems in Ireland, with significant impacts on ecosystem functions and services, and have major financial implications associated with the costs of control measures. The proposed project will produce guidelines for the control of invasive plants that are sustainable and cost-effective, according to the principles recommended by the new EU Regulation on invasive species. We will review the state-of-the-art of research on plant invasions and their relationship to the development of control measures for Ireland. To devise measures that will lead to the sustainable control of invasive plants in Ireland, we will use a combination of methods that account for the characteristics of the invasive species to control, those of the native species in invaded communities, as well as the impacts of invasive plants at the community and ecosystem levels. More specifically, we will use a combination of approaches that have been recently proved to be effective at controlling invasive plants and at ensuring the suppression of invasive plants over time. This approaches have not yet been explored in Ireland or other European countries. This project will provide knowledge on the mechanisms underlying successful plants invasions and of their long-term implications.
\r\n","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18171","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18171","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":496,"ProjectCode":"2016-SE-DS-14","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Green and blue spaces and health: a health-led approach","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Ronan Foley","Institution":"Maynooth University","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"01\/12\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"30\/11\/2017","Keywords":"Socioeconomic aspects of a sustainable environment; communities; health benefits; green and blue infrastructure; health interaction: environment and health; ","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18172","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18172","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":497,"ProjectCode":"2016-W-MS-22","ProjectAcronym":"PROGNOS","ProjectTitle":"Predicting in-lake responses to change using real time models","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Eleanor Jennings","Institution":"Dundalk Institute of Technology","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"16\/05\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"14\/05\/2019","Keywords":"Lakes; cultural eutrophication; climate change; algal blooms; dissolved inorganic matter; water treatment; high frequency monitoring; Burrishoole; forecasting; water management; ","ProjectAbstract":"Lakes in Ireland and across Europe are under pressures from cultural eutrophication, and changes in climate, including increases in the occurrence of extreme events. These can reduce water quality through, for example, promoting nuisance algal blooms, or higher levels of dissolved organic matter (DOM), and increase costs of water treatment. Increasingly, automated high frequency monitoring (HFM) systems are being adopted for water management across Europe. In Ireland, the Burrishoole catchment in Mayo includes two in-situ HFM systems on Loughs Feeagh and Furnace, and three river systems, and now has a unique >10 year data archive on key parameters. The PROGNOS project will develop an integrated approach that couples HFM data to dynamic models to forecast short-term changes in lake state, and inform management decisions to safeguard lake ecosystem services. The Irish partners and project consortium includes expertise from sites at the forefront of HFM monitoring systems since the late 1990s, expertise in modelling, and expertise in assessing societal benefits. They will use these resources to develop short-term water quality forecasts that can be based on weather forecast input, and long-term probability forecasts based forecasts from climatology inputs.","ProjectWebsite":"http:\/\/prognoswater.org\/","InternalProjectID":"18173","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18173","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":498,"ProjectCode":"TBC","ProjectAcronym":"ABAWARE","ProjectTitle":"Advanced biotechnology for intensive - freshwater aquaculture wastewater reuse","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Fiona Walsh","Institution":"Maynooth University","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"TBC","ProjectEndDate":"TBC","Keywords":"Aquaculture; food production; antibiotic resistance; human health; monitoring; surface water; groundwater; water and waste management; biotechnology; inetnsive recirculated aquacultutre systems;","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18174","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18174","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":499,"ProjectCode":"TBC","ProjectAcronym":"EUTROSED","ProjectTitle":"Eutrophication hotspots resulting from biogeochemical transformations and bioavailability of organic phosphorus in the fluvial suspended sediment of geologically contrasting agricultural catchments","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Laurence Gill","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Environmental Protection Agency","ProjectStartDate":"TBC","ProjectEndDate":"TBC","Keywords":"Phosphorus; fluvial sediments; stream bed sediments; organic P; humic-metal P; agricultural catchments; geology; hydrology; biogeochemical hydro-sedimentary model; predictive; reactive;","ProjectAbstract":null,"ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18175","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18175","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":500,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/619","ProjectAcronym":"FARM-ECOS","ProjectTitle":"Farming and natural resources: Measures for Ecological Sustainability","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Daire OhUallachain","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"30\/05\/2020","Keywords":"natural resources, sustainability","ProjectAbstract":"This project will identify and outline the evidence for novel, cost-effective measures to protect and enhance farmland biodiversity. These measures will increase habitat quantity, enhance habitat quality and improve ecological connectivity, from farm to landscape scale. The project will build on international research to identify new agri-environment measures appropriate to Irish conditions. We will address gaps in knowledge related to the importance of habitat quality and ecological connectivity in halting biodiversity loss and enhancing the provision of above and below ecosystem services. The results will feed into cost-benefit models to help identify measures suitable for inclusion in future iterations of agri-environment policy.Through addressing the challenges associated with protecting and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services, the project will help the agri-food sector achieve its objectives in relation to the development of economically and environmentally sustainable food production systems.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18185","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18185","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":501,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/655","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Manipulation and Integration of Nitrogen Emissions","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Karl Richards","Institution":"Teagasc","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/04\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"30\/09\/2020","Keywords":"nitrogen emmissions","ProjectAbstract":"Using cutting edge techniques this project will provide greater understanding of the processes and factors control emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). It will evaluate a range of methods to reduce N2O emissions from Irish grazed grasslands from field to farm scales. The objectives are to identify the regulators of N2O emissions and assess a range of options to reduce emissions at a range of scales using cutting edge techniques. This research will lead to reduced N2O emissions from farms while maintaining production thus will de-coupling intensification and production increase from rises in GHG emissions. This will further improve agricultural emissions intensity, GHG emissions per unit product, underpinning Bord Bia?s Origin Green Strategy of sustainable food production.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18186","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18186","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":502,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/669","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Small-molecule Modulators of Oomycete Calcium Channels","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr John Mackrill","Institution":"UCC","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2018","Keywords":"oomycete calcium channels","ProjectAbstract":"Water moulds are fungus-like in appearance and cause disease in commercially important plants, fish and crustaceans. Late blight of potatoes is a water mould estimated to cost Irish agriculture about ?10 million per annum, due to crop losses and expenditure on fungicides. Water moulds are becoming resistant to certain fungicides, whereas the use of other protective chemicals may be prohibited under upcoming EU legislation. Like all other cellular life, water moulds can respond to stimuli from their environments with increases in calcium ions, which in turn control functions like growth, reproduction, movement and death. Water moulds possess a unique type of ion channel, or molecular switch, which allows calcium influx and which is not found in animals or plants. The aim of this project is to develop new types of anti-water mould pesticides, which work by opening these channels, allowing toxic amounts of calcium to enter their cells.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18187","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18187","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":503,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/676","ProjectAcronym":"AMURAP","ProjectTitle":"Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Animal Production","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Edgar Garcia Manzanilla","Institution":"UCD","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"01\/06\/2018","Keywords":"antimicrobial, resistance","ProjectAbstract":"Bacteria resistant to several antibiotics are currently one of the main concerns for WHO. All countries are taking action to address this problem at a human, animal and environmental level. Project AMURAP is collaboration between University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Teagasc and DAFM to study the use of antibiotics in Irish pig and chicken farms and the consequences in the appearance of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in products and environment. The project will provide a first baseline on the use of antibiotics in Ireland as it has been recently done in other countries. This baseline is key in order to demonstrate the good practices currently applied in pig and poultry Irish farms and to further reduce the use of antibiotics by better farming to ensue Irish pork and chicken keeps being one of the safest in the word.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18188","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18188","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":504,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/687","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Spatially Explicit Ecological Risk Assessment framework for Conservation planning of Coastal waters ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Oliver Tully","Institution":"NUIG","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/06\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"31\/05\/2020","Keywords":"coastal waters, ecological","ProjectAbstract":"This project will evaluate, develop and demonstrate methods to assess the risk of environmental effects from industry activity in the marine sector relative to the conservation objectives for the marine environment reflected in numerous EU Directives. Such methods would seek to achieve the most efficient and lowest cost reduction in the environmental footprint of industry by optimising ?what and how much could go where? solutions. Planning authorities face increasingly complex problems in consenting to development; the range of activities requiring consent is increasing, these activities may be competing for the same space and the environmental conservation targets also vary spatially and can be defined at different spatial resolutions. Decision support tools that will be developed during the project are critical for planners in this complex environment. These tools would be transparent, objective, well informed by data and be capable of guiding consent authorities during the planning process.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18189","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18189","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":505,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/736","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Valuing agricultural catchments Ecosystems Services","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Stephen Hynes","Institution":"NUIG","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2017","Keywords":"catchments, ecosystems","ProjectAbstract":"Agricultural ecosystems supply market services such as food, fibres, fuels and other non-market services vital to human well-being. The purpose of this project is to create an inventory of the ecosystem services provided by farmers in agricultural catchments and place economic values on these services. Cost-effective public policy, in the form of agri-environmental schemes that provide incentives for farmers to provide ecosystem services from agriculture, require estimates of how society can maximize returns on such investments. Both market and non-market valuation methods can provide estimates of the costs to farmers of supplying these ecosystem services as well as the amount that consumers would be willing to pay to receive them. Research is required both to design cost-effective incentives to provide ecosystem services in agricultural catchments and to measure which kinds of ecosystem services could provide the greatest overall welfare benefits to society.","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18190","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18190","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":506,"ProjectCode":"15\/S744","ProjectAcronym":"FishKOSM","ProjectTitle":"Fisheries Knowledge for Optimal Sustainable Management","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr David Reid","Institution":"MI","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/05\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"30\/04\/2021","Keywords":"fisheries, sustainable","ProjectAbstract":"FishKOSM will develop ways to achieve sustainable yields from fisheries that can also deliver better ecosystem, economic and social outcomes. It will use genetics, ecosystem modelling and risk assessment methods to do this, and work with stakeholders to this end. It will provide fisheries management approaches based on this research. FishKOSM objectives are to develop sustainable yield targets for management that account for predator-prey interactions, changes in fish biology, and in fishing itself, and outcomes for fish stocks, fisheries and fleets working with these targets. We will show the ecological risks involved, and likely social and economic effects. Fisheries stakeholders will be involved throughout. FishKOSM?s impact should be a more sustainable long term Irish fishing industry, especially in terms of environment, high quality food, jobs and economic growth. It will contribute informed and appropriate advice to ecosystem based fisheries management in Ireland, while building national scientific skills and capacity. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18191","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18191","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":507,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/745","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Amoebic disease of salmon","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr Eugene McCarthy","Institution":"GMIT","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"01\/09\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"31\/12\/2019","Keywords":"amoebic disease, salmon","ProjectAbstract":"As with most intensive aquaculture systems, economic viability is continually challenged by disease and cage-reared mortality rates of up to 20% have been estimated to occur within the Irish Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) industry base. Of greater concern to industry in Ireland are the estimated loss (12%) incurred specifically to gill disease (Rodger 2007) and is now considered to constitute one of the major health challenges in salmonid farming regions. In terms of economic impact, the most significant disease caused by gill parasites is amoebic gill disease (AGD), which is considered to pose the most serious threat to the salmon aquaculture industry in Ireland. AGD is believed to be a multifactorial condition involving both environmental and biological factors, while knowledge gaps still remain on the potential role of other pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses in the development of the disease. Based on current knowledge and expertise within the consortium, this project aims to generate knowledge for the development of preventative and curative practices and tools which will be adapted to relevant life stages and husbandry practices for the culture of Atlantic salmon. These will include: identification of genetic traits associated with host response to infection and their correlation to resistance, proteomics and next gen sequencing for identification of biomarker and targeted therapies and reduction strategies. The impact of this project will improve the sustainable production, economic performance and consumer perception of Irish aquaculture. This proposal is aligned to the Department of Agriculture and Food research framework and the objectives (A1.2 aquaculture breeding, A1.5 diagnostics and A1.7 disease control options) of the call topic ?Food Institutional Research Measure? to address the challenges faced by Irish industry for sustainable salmon aquaculture. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18192","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18192","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":508,"ProjectCode":"15\/S\/756","ProjectAcronym":"CAPRI-Green)","ProjectTitle":"Enhancement of the CAPRI modeling with specific focus on its environmental and economic analytical capacity for Ireland","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Dr David Stead","Institution":"UCD","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"DAFM","ProjectStartDate":"10\/05\/2016","ProjectEndDate":"09\/05\/2019","Keywords":"environmental, economic, analytical ","ProjectAbstract":"The CAPRI (Common Agricultural Policy Regionalised Impact) model is a spatial economic model that is widely used to support European decision making related to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as well as the modelling of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. This project aims to improve how the model represents GHG emissions, together with developing a new representation of Ireland at a more disaggregated regional level than is currently the case. It will also enhance the expert capacity within Ireland to utilize this very influential model for policy analysis. The enhanced version of the model will be used to evaluate various agricultural policy scenarios and their potential impact on GHG emissions, thereby making an important contribution to policy analysis and policy formation both within Ireland and the wider European Union. ","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18193","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18193","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":509,"ProjectCode":"","ProjectAcronym":"CatchmentCARE","ProjectTitle":"CatchmentCARE Catchment Actions for Resilient Eco-systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Taly Hunter Williams, Geological Survey Ireland","Institution":"Geological Survey of Ireland","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"INTERREG","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2022","Keywords":"cross border river catchments; better water quality, biodiversity and citizen engagement; cross-border river basins with good or high quality","ProjectAbstract":"
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>
\r\n
<\/p>","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18194","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18194","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":510,"ProjectCode":"2017-sc-001","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Submarine groundwater discharge from the Burren plateau into Galway Bay ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Prof. Laurence Gill TCD","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2018","Keywords":"Karst, limestone, artificial tracer, Burren, marine geosciences, hydrogeology","ProjectAbstract":"","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18195","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18195","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":511,"ProjectCode":"2017-sc-004","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Iso-Mech (Development of a national groundwater isoscape for mechanistic recharge estimation and bacterial fingerprinting)","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Shane Regan, TCD","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2018","Keywords":"Groundwater, Rainfall, Stable Isotopes, Isoscape, Recharge Estimation, Subsurface Mechanisms, Climate","ProjectAbstract":"
See GSI website<\/p>","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18196","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18196","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":512,"ProjectCode":"2017-sc-007","ProjectAcronym":"","ProjectTitle":"Fluorescence-based tracking of particles from domestic wastewater treatment system plumes discharging to springs in Karst aquifer systems","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"David O'Connell, TCD","Institution":"University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2018","Keywords":"Fluorescence, Particulates, Karst, Hydrogeology, Springs, DWTS effluent, conduits, recharge events","ProjectAbstract":"
See GSI website<\/p>","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18197","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18197","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"},{"__ID":513,"ProjectCode":"2017-sc-045","ProjectAcronym":"GRAppLE","ProjectTitle":"Groundwater Risk App for Local Evaluations ","PrincipalInvestigatorOrIrishPartner":"Jean O'Dwyer, UL","Institution":"University of Limerick (UL)","Country":"Ireland","FundingEntity":"Geological Survey of Ireland","ProjectStartDate":"01\/11\/2017","ProjectEndDate":"31\/10\/2018","Keywords":"Groundwater, Risk Assessment, Environmental Technology, Mobile Applications, Geological Hazards, GeoScience","ProjectAbstract":"
See GSI website<\/p>","ProjectWebsite":"","InternalProjectID":"18198","DirectWebLink":"http:\/\/erc.epa.ie\/droplet\/modalFull.php?cid=18198","PubliclyAvailable":"Yes","Authorised":"Yes"}]