Non-agricultural pollution to rivers in Scotland
Gooday, R., Anthony, S., Calrow, L., Harris, D., Skirvin, D. (2017). Non-agricultural pollution to rivers in Scotland . NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/eb73ca31-7eb9-479c-96be-6063e29c8a7f
Estimates of annual loads of phosphorus, sediment, nitrogen and faecal coliform from non-agricultural sources to rivers in Scotland, reported at Water Framework Directive (WFD) catchment scale. The sources of pollutants include: urban, woodland, montane areas, river bank erosion, septic tanks and sewage treatment works. Loads are estimated based upon available data (e.g. septic tank licences) and modelling (bank erosion). The values specify phosphorous, nitrogen or sediment losses in kilograms per year and faecal coliform in 10^6 colony forming units (cfu) per year.
Non-agricultural pollutant emissions were calculated for each WFD waterbody on the basis of tabulated discharges and empirical models. Losses from septic tanks were derived from SEPA licensing records and per capita coefficients, whilst losses from sewage treatment works were derived from consented dry weather flows and average concentrations from compliance monitoring. Losses from urban areas were calculated using the Event Mean Concentration model of [1] whilst montane and woodland losses were calculated using the PLUS and MARS models ([2] and [3] respectively). Losses from bank erosion were calculated using a simple index of bank erosion that was calibrated against available sediment tracing data. [1] Mitchell, G. Lockyer, J. and McDonald, A.T. (2001) Pollution hazard from urban nonpoint sources: a GIS-model to support strategic environmental planning in the UK. Technical Report, School of Geography, University of Leeds, UK. [2] Donnelly, D., Booth, P., Ferrier, R. and Futter, M. 2011. Phosphorus Land Use and Slope (PLUS+) Model. User Guide and Computer Code. Report to SEPA, Scotland, UK. 39 pp. Availalble from http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/Plus+%20User%20Guide%20-%20v1_6.pdf [3] Hughes, G., Lord, E., Wilson, L., Gooday, R. and Anthony, S. (2008) Updating previous estimates of the load and source apportionment of nitrogen to waters in the United Kingdom. Defra project WQ0111, final Report, 112 pp.
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