Ammonia distributions in the surface waters of Liverpool Bay

Abstract

Distributions of dissolved ammonia concentrations in the surface waters of Liverpool Bay observed during 6 seasonal cruises in 1975 are presented. A clockwise surface residual circulation, sustained by northerly components of wind stress, led to a marked deterioration in the water quality along the North Wales coast during December, and to a lesser extent in April. In contrast an anticlockwise circulation induced by south to west winds, led to low ammonia concentrations along the North Wales coast and a northerly transport of Mersey effluents along the Lancashire coast during January. During the summer months the ammonia distributions were predominantly biologically rather than physically dependent.