Spatial and temporal water chemistry data and organic matter composition from UK surface waters, 2018-2021
https://doi.org/10.5285/ada28810-040b-4fef-8669-b21bac64a10b
Cite this dataset as:
Moody, C.S.; Bell, N.G.A.; Mackay, C.L.; Kitson, E.; Gasior, R.L.; Hunt, S.F.P.; Greenwood, J.G.; Ashley, D.J. (2025). Spatial and temporal water chemistry data and organic matter composition from UK surface waters, 2018-2021. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/ada28810-040b-4fef-8669-b21bac64a10b
Download/Access
PLEASE NOTE:
By accessing or using this dataset, you agree to the terms of the relevant licence agreement(s). You will ensure that this dataset is cited in any publication that describes research in which the data have been used.
This dataset is available under the terms of the Open Government Licence 
This dataset contains water chemistry and organic matter composition variables. Water chemistry variables include pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic carbon, nutrients, anions, cations and metal concentrations. Organic matter composition variables include metrics calculated from carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen concentrations.
Water samples were collected from UK surface waters between 2018 and 2021.
Water was collected from each site either annually, seasonally or monthly, to determine how organic matter varies over time and space. Site metadata include land use and vegetation cover, catchment area and percentage peat cover. Exact locations of sites are not included, and site names are anonymised.
Water samples were collected from UK surface waters between 2018 and 2021.
Water was collected from each site either annually, seasonally or monthly, to determine how organic matter varies over time and space. Site metadata include land use and vegetation cover, catchment area and percentage peat cover. Exact locations of sites are not included, and site names are anonymised.
Publication date: 2025-04-22
View numbers valid from 22 April 2025 Download numbers valid from 22 April 2025 (information prior to this was not collected)
Format
Comma-separated values (CSV)
Spatial information
Study area
Spatial representation type
Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system
OSGB 1936 / British National Grid
Temporal information
Temporal extent
2018-01-16 to 2021-12-31
Provenance & quality
Fieldwork instrumentation used: water samples were collected from surface waters using a 1L beaker on a 2m pole.
Methods of collection: 50mL of water from the beaker was filtered on site into a small centrifuge tube, then kept cold and dark as possible until storage in a fridge at 4 degrees in the lab. 2-3L of water were also collected in a 5L caddy to use for organic matter extraction and analysis.
How values were arrived at (e.g. treatments etc.): samples were analysed in the lab on analytical equipment frequently calibrated. Standards were included in every analytical run.
Nature and units of recorded variables: each variable was recorded in suitable units, please see the metadata for full information.
Processing steps performed on the data: all values were 'sense-checked' to ensure they were possible (e.g. within known bonding restrictions)
Quality control/assessment applied to the data: replicates were checked and all extreme values were traced back through the process to ensure there had been no errors.
Limitations on the data’s reliability: these data represent the water chemistry of surface waters on the day they were collected.
Methods of collection: 50mL of water from the beaker was filtered on site into a small centrifuge tube, then kept cold and dark as possible until storage in a fridge at 4 degrees in the lab. 2-3L of water were also collected in a 5L caddy to use for organic matter extraction and analysis.
How values were arrived at (e.g. treatments etc.): samples were analysed in the lab on analytical equipment frequently calibrated. Standards were included in every analytical run.
Nature and units of recorded variables: each variable was recorded in suitable units, please see the metadata for full information.
Processing steps performed on the data: all values were 'sense-checked' to ensure they were possible (e.g. within known bonding restrictions)
Quality control/assessment applied to the data: replicates were checked and all extreme values were traced back through the process to ensure there had been no errors.
Limitations on the data’s reliability: these data represent the water chemistry of surface waters on the day they were collected.
Licensing and constraints
This dataset is available under the terms of the Open Government Licence
Cite this dataset as:
Moody, C.S.; Bell, N.G.A.; Mackay, C.L.; Kitson, E.; Gasior, R.L.; Hunt, S.F.P.; Greenwood, J.G.; Ashley, D.J. (2025). Spatial and temporal water chemistry data and organic matter composition from UK surface waters, 2018-2021. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/ada28810-040b-4fef-8669-b21bac64a10b
Correspondence/contact details
Authors
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0371-7416
Bell, N.G.A.
University of Edinburgh
Mackay, C.L.
Rosalind Franklin Institute
Kitson, E.
UKCEH
Gasior, R.L.
University of Leeds
Hunt, S.F.P.
University of Leeds
Greenwood, J.G.
University of Leeds
Ashley, D.J.
University of Leeds
Other contacts
Rights holder
University of Leeds
Custodian
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Publisher
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Additional metadata
Funding
Natural Environment Research Council Award: NE/R013365/1
Natural Environment Research Council Award: NE/X018261/1
Natural Environment Research Council Award: NE/X018261/1