River pollution is a major threat to water quality and ecosystems, and understanding pollution sources and how they mix is vital to creating effective pollution management.
River pollution is a major threat to water quality and ecosystems, and understanding pollution sources and how they mix is vital to creating effective pollution management. Alex O’Brien tells us about a project testing a new approach to tracing where the pollution comes from…
I’m part of a team of scientists from UKCEH and the British Geological Survey (BGS) involved in a sampling campaign on the Thames to trial a novel integrated method to river sampling. We’re using this approach to investigate nutrient sources and in-stream processes related to pollution from three sources: combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sewage treatment works (STWs), and agricultural runoff.
The work is part of the NERC-funded large grant 'SMARTWATER', which is looking at pollution sources and events, how they impact river water quality in catchments, and how we can better predict and manage them.
Read More at: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Drone imagery of sampling in action. (Photo Credit: Nick Everard)
