Environment Agency Of England Research Articles

GIS-based methodologies for assessing nitrate, nitrite and ammonium distributions across a major UK basin, the Humber

Abstract. The distributions of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium at various monitoring sites across the Humber basin (area 24 000 km2) were examined within a Geographical Information System (GIS) framework. This basin contains diverse characteristics, from areas of high population and industry to rural and arable regions. The Humber River is a major provider of and nutrient fluxes to the North Sea from the UK. Within the GIS analysis, the distributions of mean and mean flow weighted concentrations, flux and flux per unit area, were investigated. Empirical relationships between land characteristics and water quality for the whole catchment draining to each water quality monitoring site were established. Thirty-eight catchments were chosen for this analysis, with areas ranging from 46 km2 to 8225 km2. These catchments are distributed across the Humber, encompassing the different conditions across the basin, thus allowing relationships between water quality and catchment characteristics to be used to estimate the nitrogen concentrations and flux throughout the basin river network. The main water quality data source was the Land Ocean Interaction Study (LOIS) dataset. The Environment Agency of England and Wales water quality datasets were used to infill areas of sparse LOIS monitoring network density within the Humber. The work shows the feasibility of estimating nitrate and, to a lesser extent, nitrite and ammonium concentrations and fluxes across the river network based on land characteristics, using a GIS methodology. The estimations work particularly well for the main river channels. However, there are local anomalies which are more difficult to predict. Maps showing concentration variations at 500 m intervals along the Humber basin river networks are presented; these are of particular value for environmental managers and socio-economists. Keywords: GIS, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, catchment characteristics

Management issues relating to the European eel, Anguilla anguilla

AbstractIn many European countries there is growing concern over reduced recruitment and catches of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.). Evidence of the decline, together with possible reasons for the changes as detailed by various authors, are reviewed. It is suggested that the problems need to be addressed now and on various levels. Proposals for management actions, as outlined by the Environment Agency for England and Wales, are summarized by way of example.

Nutrient water quality of the Wye catchment, UK: exploring patterns and fluxes using the Environment Agency data archives

Abstract. Water quality data, collected by the Environment Agency in England and Wales over 10 years (1991 – 2000) were used to examine the spatial distribution of nutrient pollution risk and for assessing broad-scale spatial and temporal variability in nutrient fluxes across the Wye catchment. Nutrient water quality across the upper and middle Wye catchment, and along the main River Wye, is generally very good. However, the main areas of concern lie in the small tributaries in the south and east of the catchment, which have lower dilution capacity and high agricultural and effluent inputs, and where mean Total Reactive Phosphorus (TRP) in some cases exceed 1 mg-P l-1. Indeed, mass load calculations have demonstrated that the lowland south and east portion of the catchment contributes more than 85% of the whole-catchment TRP and more than 78% of nitrate (NO3‾) loads. Ratios of NO3‾:Ca were used to fingerprint different water-types across the catchment, linked to weathering and agricultural activity. The Wye catchment has been subject to two major sets of perturbations during the study period: (i) climatic fluctuations, with a drought during 1995-6, followed by a subsequent drought-break in 1997/8, and extreme high river flows in the autumn/winter of 2000/2001, and (ii) introduction of tertiary P-treatment at major sewage treatment works in the catchment. The implications of these perturbations for the nutrient water quality of the Wye catchment are discussed. Recommendations are made for more targeted monitoring to directly assess diffuse source nutrient contributions. Keywords: nutrients, phosphate, phosphorus, nitrate, nitrogen, river, Wye, PSYCHIC, Defra

The Ambiguous Role of the Environment Agency in England and Wales

In the six years of its existence, the Environment Agency for England and Wales has acquired a key role in improving Britain's environment. But a recent report from the House of Commons Select Committee has severely criticised its performance. In this article, we examine four aspects of these criticisms - lack of a coherent vision, low public profile, failure as a regulator, and lack of accountability. Our conclusion is that the critics have often failed to take into account the constraints under which the Agency operates, and that until and unless the Government takes steps to clarify precisely what is the Agency's proper role - whether, for example, as champion of the environment or a champion of sustainable development.

River Pollution Diagnostic System (RPDS) - computer-based analysis and visualisation for bio-monitoring data

The importance of biological monitoring for the assessment of river quality is well established. Bio-monitoring programmes, in particular the recording of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, produce an abundance of data to support the process of river quality assessment. However, current data analysis techniques are largely based on subjective score systems that do not fully realise the potential information value of such complex multivariate data sets. More advanced techniques of data analysis and visualisation can help to maximise the value of biological data, and hence to more efficiently and effectively direct resources, funding and research. A River Pollution Diagnostic System (RPDS) is described. RPDS was recently developed by the authors for the Environment Agency in England and Wales; it aims to maximise information retrieval from biological and environmental data.

Mapping the intertidal vegetation of the harbours of southern England for water quality management

This paper discusses a research project dealing with the mapping of the intertidal vegetation of several harbours along the southern coastline of England. It describes in detail the methods used to map the vegetation and gives examples of the results from these studies. This paper then goes on to explain how these results are applied by the Environment Agency of England and Wales to improve water quality in the harbours. This type of vegetation mapping is useful in monitoring the development of the intertidal species includingSpartina, Zostera and of particular importance to this study the green algaeUlva andEnteromorpha. The work was undertaken with funding from the Environment Agency and at present has taken place over a four year period. The data collected will be used by the Environment Agency to assess macro-algae covervalues for the intertidal area of the harbours concerned. This forms part of the Agency's commitment to the EU Nitrates Directive and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Some of the species mapped act as suitable indicators of water quality and are symptoms of entrophication. Other species are of interest for nature conservation and were recorded to provide a record for longer-term trends in vegetation patterns within the harbour. This paper aims to provide readers with an understanding of the techniques involved as well as an evaluation of the methodology.

Development of a Policy Appraisal Checklist for the Environment Agency of England and Wales

This paper describes the development of a simple integrated approach to policy appraisal for use within the Environment Agency for England and Wales. The approach was developed by the Environment Agency's National Centre for Risk Analysis and Options Appraisal, and is intended as a first version of a tool to allow policy makers in the Agency to consider the possible environmental, social, economic and resource use impacts of the policy options available to manage risks, and to allow the monitoring of impacts of policy options selected. The context within which the approach was developed is discussed — including existing literature on, and experience of, policy and integrated appraisal respectively, as well as the needs and resources of the Environment Agency with respect to policy appraisal. The paper provides a description of the approach developed before highlighting issues for further development. The guidance summarised here is version 1, which is being rolled out for use by policy authors within the Agency in 2000 and 2001. The process will inevitably be iterative and it is intended over the next two years, following further application and road testing, that subsequent versions of the guidance will be produced.

DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY APPRAISAL CHECKLIST FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY OF ENGLAND AND WALES

This paper describes the development of a simple integrated approach to policy appraisal for use within the Environment Agency for England and Wales. The approach was developed by the Environment Agency's National Centre for Risk Analysis and Options Appraisal, and is intended as a first version of a tool to allow policy makers in the Agency to consider the possible environmental, social, economic and resource use impacts of the policy options available to manage risks, and to allow the monitoring of impacts of policy options selected.The context within which the approach was developed is discussed — including existing literature on, and experience of, policy and integrated appraisal respectively, as well as the needs and resources of the Environment Agency with respect to policy appraisal. The paper provides a description of the approach developed before highlighting issues for further development.The guidance summarised here is version 1, which is being rolled out for use by policy authors within the Agency in 2000 and 2001. The process will inevitably be iterative and it is intended over the next two years, following further application and road testing, that subsequent versions of the guidance will be produced.

An assessment of the impact of motorway runoff on a pond, wetland and stream

The impact of soil filtered runoff from a section of the M25 outer London motorway (constructed in 1981) on a pond, wetland and stream in a nature reserve was investigated by monitoring water, sediment. The tissues of the emergent plants Typha latifolia and Glyceria maxima collected from the pond were analysed for the heavy metals, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn. Macroinvertebrates were monitored in the stream and biotic indices applied to the data. The plant tissue concentrations for Typha and Glyceria show decreasing metal concentrations from root to rhizome to leaf. This trend has previously been reported for Typha exposed to runoff although the tissue concentrations are lower in this study with the exception of Cd in root tissue. The Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) score and Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) for the stream at sites above and below the pond outlet are lower than the scores recorded by the Environment Agency for England and Wales at an upstream site above the Pond/Wetland. The sites have an Overall Quality Index of ‘moderate water quality’, and there is no evidence of a deterioration of biologically assessed water quality between them. The results of the study show the long-term impact on sediment of filtered road runoff discharges to a natural wetland and pond located in a nature reserve. The use of natural wetlands for the discharge of road runoff is inadvisable. Constructed wetlands in combination with other structures including settlement trenches and ponds should be considered as an alternative treatment option.

Reducing environmental pollution caused by construction plant

Quantifiable data produced in a national report by the Environment Agency of England and Wales entitled Water Pollution Incidents in England and Wales 1997 and published by the Stationery Office in 1998, identifies over 3,723 substantiated pollution incidents across England and Wales in 1997. Within the generic sector classed as “Industry” the construction industry was the most frequent polluter responsible for 22 percent of all substantiated water‐related pollution incidents in that sector. The report also identified that a significant number (28 percent) of all substantiated pollution incidents across England and Wales are directly attributable to mineral‐based fuels and oils, many of which are used extensively within the construction industry. This paper seeks to locate the possible causes and effects for some of that oil‐based pollution, discusses the issues and identifies a unique and radical client‐motivated solution within the UK to reduce and mitigate the undesirable impacts upon the environment. Evidence produced by the oil industry shows the enormous amount of one particularly aggressive pollutant – hydraulic oil – which remains annually, unaccounted for. Hydraulic oil is used in most tracked earthmoving machinery; the sort of machinery most closely associated with construction work carried out near to watercourses. Biodegradable hydraulic oil is much more considerate to the environment, but is more expensive and not usually installed in new plant and machinery. The paper argues that on a life cycle basis the use of biodegradable oil is viable and feasible and that there are many external factors that make its usage desirable.

An Approach to Integrated Appraisal Progress by the Environment Agency in England and Wales

As part of its principal aim of contributing towards achieving the objective of sustainable development the Environment Agency in England and Wales established a National Centre for Risk Analysis and Options Appraisal in 1997. This paper describes a key area of the Centre's work over the past four years, namely the development of an approach for appraisal. This approach has been developed jointly by EIA specialists, economists, a social psychologist and an expert in technology assessment. There have been several opportunities for developing tools and techniques for internal use and the Agency has also been able to advise and inform others, particularly the Central and regional governments. This paper aims to summarise some of these case studies for the benefit of a wider audience. Significant challenges remain, not least because there are few role models to follow and relatively little published literature on the subject of appraisal. Challenges are methodological, procedural and institutional. The paper recommends the term integrated appraisal as the umbrella term under which many other approaches (variously termed) fit and develops a checklist of questions to be asked.

AN APPROACH TO INTEGRATED APPRAISAL: PROGRESS BY THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY IN ENGLAND AND WALES

As part of its principal aim of contributing towards achieving the objective of sustainable development the Environment Agency in England and Wales established a National Centre for Risk Analysis and Options Appraisal in 1997. This paper describes a key area of the Centre's work over the past four years, namely the development of an approach for integrated appraisal. This approach has been developed jointly by EIA specialists, economists, a social psychologist and an expert in technology assessment. There have been several opportunities for developing tools and techniques for internal use and the Agency has also been able to advise and inform others, particularly the Central and regional governments. This paper aims to summarise some of these case studies for the benefit of a wider audience. Significant challenges remain, not least because there are few role models to follow and relatively little published literature on the subject of integrated appraisal. Challenges are methodological, procedural and institutional. The paper recommends the term "integrated appraisal" as the umbrella term under which many other approaches (variously termed) fit and develops a checklist of questions to be asked.

Assessing Water Quality Improvement Schemes: The Multi-Attribute Technique of the UK's Environment Agency

The Environment Agency for England and Wales is required to take account of likely costs and benefits in carrying out its duties. Given the complex nature of environmental problems, this task requires sensitivity to issues such as uncertainty, multiple objectives and conflicting value systems. This paper describes a multi-attribute methodology used to carry out this duty in one area of the Agency's work, the regulation of the water industry. The method includes nine attributes measuring the benefits from water quality improvement schemes, and one attribute measuring scheme costs. It is a workable method that clearly satisfies the requirements for the Environment Agency to take account of the costs and benefits of its actions. Refinements are suggested to improve the individual attribute scores, the weights used in prioritisation and the incorporation of costs.

An Assessment of the Suitability of the Environment Agency's Water‐Quality Classification System for Use in Urban Catchments

AbstractDespite the increasing range of water‐quality indicators, the classification and target‐setting strategy which has been adopted by the Environment Agency for England and Wales is dominated by the assessment of water chemistry at low flow. Using the example of Pymme's Brook in north London, this paper examines the suitability of such data for classifying the quality of urban watercourses and its ability to reveal quality changes. The data expose a weakness in the Environment Agency's methodology, because they suggest that, when used alone, chemical monitoring leads to water quality being greatly over‐estimated and inappropriate targets being set. It is therefore recommended that other quality indicators should be fully integrated into the assessment system in order to overcome these problems.

The design of vegetative constructed wetlands for the treatment of highway runoff

The Environment Agency for England and Wales are responsible for assessing the effects of highway runoff and for monitoring the treatment systems/procedures which have been introduced for the reduction of deleterious effects. The Agency is looking into the improvement of surface water management in terms of best management practices and plans to work in partnership with the Highways Agency to achieve this aim. Among the treatment options being considered are constructed wetlands. Draft Guidelines have been developed to provide information on their design. This paper describes procedures for carrying out an Environmental Sensitivity Analysis to determine whether treatment by a constructed wetland is appropriate. Information on water quality and quantity is required as well as the sensitivity of the receiving environment. The legislative position, particularly in relation to the discharge quality of the water and the conservation status of the receiving environment, needs also to be considered. The factors that will determine the most appropriate wetland design criteria include traffic loadings, road drainage area, land availability, cost and the size/extent and type of the receiving water body. The following structures are recommended for incorporation in the overall design; oil separator and silt trap, spillage containment, settlement pond, vegetative wetland and final settlement tank. The operation and maintenance procedures and the monitoring requirements for a functioning wetland are described.

The Removal of Urban Pollutants by Constructed Wetlands During Wet Weather

The Environment Agency for England and Wales has developed urban runoff treatment wetlands at two selected sites in Outer London. The systems were monitored for a range of determinands including heavy metals, suspended solids and BOD. Initial analysis of the data indicates that during dry weather, removal efficiencies vary greatly. However, during storm events removal efficiencies are higher with mean values of 71% for Zn, 72% for Cd, 69% for Pb, 66% for Cu, 34% for Ni and 81% for Cr at the Dagenham wetland. Mean removal efficiencies of 20% for Cd, 40% for Pb, 36% for Cu, 34% for Ni and 38% for Cr were monitored during storm conditions at the Brentwood wetland, but an overall increase in Zn was measured. Removal of BOD was greater at both sites during storm events with mean removal efficiencies of 24% and 29% at Dagenham and Brentwood, respectively. Suspended solids are reduced on passing through both wetlands during dry weather, but, during storm events there is an overall increase. The metal removal capability of microorganisms isolated from the rhizosphere of Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis is being investigated. Laboratory experiments are assessing the efficiency of two metal tolerant strains to accumulate Pb and Zn. It is believed that this ability may prove to be an important year-round pollutant removal process in the treatment of urban runoff by constructed wetland treatment systems, and preliminary data are presented.

Developing a strategy on eutrophication

Eutrophication of environmental waters is a complex process characterised by nutrient enrichment leading to increased production of algae and higher plants. This can result in undesirable effects on the quality, biodiversity and sustainable uses of our waters, in conflict with the objectives of the Agency's Environmental Strategy. Assessment and control of eutrophication in the UK have proceeded in a somewhat piecemeal fashion to date, focusing mainly on certain localised problems, or on the implementation of EC Directives, notably those relating to the control of urban waste water and agricultural nitrate, which provide only partial solutions to problems. The Environment Agency of England and Wales is developing a strategy on eutrophication, aimed at delivering a more coordinated and integrated approach. Key components of the strategy will be those relating to management, communication and R&D. Making best use of the regulatory framework is an important feature of the initiative, but equally so is the need to promote a partnership approach to the management of eutrophication. The Agency's work will also contribute to the development of broader UK nutrient strategies.

The removal of urban pollutants by constructed wetlands during wet weather

The Environment Agency for England and Wales has developed urban runoff treatment wetlands at two selected sites in Outer London. The systems were monitored for a range of determinands including heavy metals, suspended solids and BOD. Initial analysis of the data indicates that during dry weather, removal efficiencies vary greatly. However, during storm events removal efficiencies are higher with mean values of 71% for Zn, 72% for Cd, 69% for Pb, 66% for Cu, 34% for Ni and 81% for Cr at the Dagenham wetland. Mean removal efficiencies of 20% for Cd, 40% for Pb, 36% for Cu, 34% for Ni and 38% for Cr were monitored during storm conditions at the Brentwood wetland, but an overall increase in Zn was measured. Removal of BOD was greater at both sites during storm events with mean removal efficiencies of 24% and 29% at Dagenham and Brentwood, respectively. Suspended solids are reduced on passing through both wetlands during dry weather, but, during storm events there is an overall increase.The metal removal capability of microorganisms isolated from the rhizosphere of Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis is being investigated. Laboratory experiments are assessing the efficiency of two metal tolerant strains to accumulate Pb and Zn. It is believed that this ability may prove to be an important year-round pollutant removal process in the treatment of urban runoff by constructed wetland treatment systems, and preliminary data are presented.

Developing a strategy on eutrophication

Eutrophication of environmental waters is a complex process characterised by nutrient enrichment leading to increased production of algae and higher plants. This can result in undesirable effects on the quality, biodiversity and sustainable uses of our waters, in conflict with the objectives of the Agency's Environmental Strategy. Assessment and control of eutrophication in the UK have proceeded in a somewhat piecemeal fashion to date, focusing mainly on certain localised problems, or on the implementation of EC Directives, notably those relating to the control of urban waste water and agricultural nitrate, which provide only partial solutions to problems. The Environment Agency of England and Wales is developing a strategy on eutrophication, aimed at delivering a more coordinated and integrated approach. Key components of the strategy will be those relating to management, communication and R&D. Making best use of the regulatory framework is an important feature of the initiative, but equally so is the need to promote a partnership approach to the management of eutrophication. The Agency's work will also contribute to the development of broader UK nutrient strategies.

Science, technology and the environmental policy process: a review of government-supported environmental R&D in the UK

Following a brief discussion of the relationship between science, technology and the environment, this paper considers the role of science and technology in the formulation and implementation of environmental policy in the UK. It suggests that scientific uncertainty, whether real or perceived, has often been enough to stall the environmental policy process. Consequently, it reviews the attempts that have been made by those government departments and agencies with responsibility for the environment to increase the level of scientific understanding of the environment. It also reviews those research initiatives adopted by government and its agencies to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of environmental policy by ensuring that decision makers at various levels are better informed by advances in science and technology. The paper focuses on the environment-related research activities of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Environment Agency for England and Wales. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.