West Coast Of Ireland Research Articles

Black bile in Bohane: Kevin Barry and melancholia

ABSTRACTKevin Barry's novel, City of Bohane, presents the west coast of Ireland gripped in the hyper-violence of a dystopian urban future. This article argues that the novel's power structures, seemingly redolent of unrepentant brutality, epitomise an excessive melancholy; a failure of mourning that causes the city and its inhabitants to stagnate in aggressive, nostalgic desire. Relations to the past, to the self, the desired other and power in City of Bohane are inextricable from discourses of melancholic loss, lack, identification, gender, violence and the fetish, and by reading Barry's work through Freud's, Agamben's, Žižek's and Butler's theorisations of the melancholy, we explore the tensions between desire, loss and black bile.

Observation and modeling of tide- and wind-induced surface currents in Galway Bay

A high-frequency radar system has been deployed in Galway Bay, a semi-enclosed bay on the west coast of Ireland. The system provides surface currents with fine spatial resolution every hour. Prior to its use for model validation, the accuracy of the radar data was verified through comparison with measurements from acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) and a good correlation between time series of surface current speeds and directions obtained from radar data and ADCP data. Since Galway Bay is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, it is subject to relatively windy conditions, and surface currents are therefore strongly wind-driven. With a view to assimilating the radar data for forecasting purposes, a three-dimensional numerical model of Galway Bay, the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), was developed based on a terrain-following vertical (sigma) coordinate system. This study shows that the performance and accuracy of the numerical model, particularly with regard to tide- and wind-induced surface currents, are sensitive to the vertical layer structure. Results of five models with different layer structures are presented and compared with radar measurements. A variable vertical structure with thin layers at the bottom and the surface and thicker layers in the middle of the water column was found to be the optimal layer structure for reproduction of tide- and wind-induced surface currents. This structure ensures that wind shear can properly propagate from the surface layer to the sub-surface layers, thereby ensuring that wind forcing is not overdamped by tidal forcing. The vertical layer structure affects not only the velocities at the surface layer but also the velocities further down in the water column.

Linear irregular wave generation in a numerical wave tank

In the design of any floating or fixed marine structure, it is vital to test models in order to understand the fluid/structure interaction involved. A relatively inexpensive method, compared to physical model testing, of achieving this is to numerically model the structure and the wave conditions in a numerical wave tank. In this paper, a methodology for accurately replicating measured ocean waves in a numerical model at full scale is detailed. A Fourier analysis of the measured record allows the wave to be defined as a summation of linear waves and, therefore, Airy's linear wave theory may be used to input the wave elevation and associated water particle velocities. Furthermore, a structure is introduced into the model to display the ability of the model to accurately predict wave–structure interaction. A case study of three individual measured waves, which are recorded at the Atlantic marine energy test site, off the west coast of Ireland, is also presented. The accuracy of the model to replicate the measured waves and perform wave–structure interaction is found to be very high. Additionally, the absolute water particle velocity profile below the wave from the numerical model is compared to a filtered analytical approximation of the measured wave at a number of time-steps and is in very good agreement.

Comparative environmental life cycle assessment of two seaweed cultivation systems in North West Europe with a focus on quantifying sea surface occupation

Environmental concerns regarding natural resource depletion have led to the cultivation of more renewable resources such as seaweed biomass. As the cultivation in Europe is still in its early stages, an estimation of the environmental sustainability may boost further development of this sector by highlighting its competitiveness. A case study on the resource footprint of Saccharina latissima production near the West coast of Ireland (18ha of floating longlines) and France (0.6ha of raft systems) is performed. The Cumulative Exergy Extraction from the Natural Environment (CEENE) method is used to quantify the exergy deprived from 8 types of natural resources (incl. marine resources) to produce 1MJex biomass. For Ireland and France, results of the Exergetic Life Cycle Assessment (ELCA) are 1.7MJexMJex−1 and 8.7MJexMJex−1, respectively. Compared to the footprint of microalgae and several terrestrial plants (sugar beets, maize and potatoes), typically showing values in the range of 0.92–3.88MJexMJex−1, seaweed production in North West Europe (especially in Ireland) is relatively resource-efficient. Moreover, the potential to improve the resource footprint of seaweed production is investigated; in the short-term, seaweed can be cultivated with a comparable life cycle resource demand as several land plants.

Insights into the Trophic Ecology of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Irish Waters

The stomach contents of 12 bottlenose dolphins were examined. Ten of the 11 samples originated from dolphins that stranded on the west coast of Ireland between 1999 and 2011, while the remaining dolphin was bycaught. Ten of the stomachs contained food remains, mainly fish bones and otoliths; two stomachs were empty. A total of 37 prey taxa were identified, suggesting that they have a broad diet. The main prey items identified were five gadoid fish. Also, four species were only identified from non-otolith skeletal material, highlighting the importance of including all skeletal material in dietary studies. Three distinct populations of bottlenose dolphins have been identified in Irish waters using genetic markers. Differences in diet were found among these populations, where their stomach contents suggest that these animals might be foraging in different habitats. Significant differences were found between dolphins stranded alive and those that were found dead where the former appeared to have been feeding more on pelagic species. Significant differences were also found between male and female dolphin diet: males had eaten a wider variety of prey items than females. Annual consumption rates for the coastal bottlenose dolphin population in Irish Atlantic coastal waters are estimated to be around 1,193.8 tonnes.

Sulfated steroid-amino acid conjugates from the Irish marine sponge Polymastia boletiformis.

Antifungal bioactivity-guided fractionation of the organic extract of the sponge Polymastia boletiformis, collected from the west coast of Ireland, led to the isolation of two new sulfated steroid-amino acid conjugates (1 and 2). Extensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses in combination with quantum mechanical calculations of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, optical rotation, and 13C chemical shifts were used to establish the chemical structures of 1 and 2. Both compounds exhibited moderate antifungal activity against Cladosporium cucumerinum, while compound 2 was also active against Candida albicans. Marine natural products containing steroidal and amino acid constituents are extremely rare in nature.

Bio-physical model provides insight into dispersal of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) from putative spawning grounds to nursery areas on the west coast of Ireland

In this study we use an individual-based coupled physical biological model (ICPBM) to reconstruct the dispersal pathways of 0-group juveniles (young of the year) collected from nursery grounds in Galway Bay and to identify probable spawning ground locations for plaice on the west coast of Ireland. The relative importance of passive transport, behaviour and individual growth rates on successful larval delivery, from three putative spawning grounds to suitable nursery areas, was also investigated. Using a hydrodynamic Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS), combined with a particle tracking model, three model scenarios were tested: a passive tracer scenario (PTS), a linear growth scenario (LGS) and a temperature-dependent growth scenario (TDS). Hydrodynamic conditions were modelled and biological information (pelagic larval durations and size at settlement) incorporated. The LGS and TDS included vertical migration and tidally synchronised behaviour. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) comparisons showed that incorporation of behaviour and temperature-dependent growth, resulted in approximately two to three times more particles being delivered to sites of suitable depth for settlement (≤10m), compared to passive transport alone (p<0.001, LGS 19–78%; TDS 40–81%). The probability of successful delivery also varied significantly depending on the location, year and week of release (p<0.05). A comparison of temperature histories between particles that were delivered to shallow inshore areas and those that failed to reach depths suitable for settlement indicated that dispersal to coastal nursery areas is facilitated by entrainment into a cool coastal current system. This study identifies a probable plaice spawning area in western Ireland and reconfirms the importance of including behaviour and growth in dispersal simulations. The model results suggest that differences in growth can influence larval delivery to potentially suitable nursery areas.

Microplastic and macroplastic ingestion by a deep diving, oceanic cetacean: The True's beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus

When mammals strand, they present a unique opportunity to obtain insights into their ecology. In May 2013, three True's beaked whales (two adult females and a female calf) stranded on the north and west coasts of Ireland and the contents of their stomachs and intestines were analysed for anthropogenic debris. A method for identifying microplastics ingested by larger marine organisms was developed. Microplastics were identified throughout the digestive tract of the single whale that was examined for the presence of microplastics. The two adult females had macroplastic items in their stomachs. Food remains recovered from the adult whales consisted of mesopelagic fish (Benthosema glaciale, Nansenia spp., Chauliodius sloani) and cephalopods, although trophic transfer has been discussed, it was not possible to ascertain whether prey were the source of microplastics. This is the first study to directly identify microplastics <5 mm in a cetacean species.

Sulfated steroid – amino acid conjugate from the Irish marine sponge Polymastia boletiformis

Polymastia boletiformis, a brightly coloured orange-yellow fistulose sponge is widespread on the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Previous studies on this genus have yielded a number of interesting polyenes [1] and steroids. [2]. In the course of our on-going investigations within the frame of Beaufort Marine Biosdiscovery Research Programme directed to the biological screening and isolation of bioactive metabolites from Irish marine organisms [3], we have evaluated the antifungal activity of a number of Irish marine sponges against the plant pathogen Cladosporium cucumerinum. The crude extract of P. boletiformis, collected from the west coast of Ireland, showed activity against C. cucumerinum at 1 mg/mL. Antifungal activity-guided fractionation of the aqueous methanol-soluble portion of the crude extract by RP18 Flash CC, Sephadex LH-20 gel chromatography and RP18 HPLC led to the isolation of a new, minor sulfated steroid – amino acid conjugate (1). The structure of the new natural product was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectral data analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) and HRMS. The assessment of antifungal activity of this metabolite and the identification of the absolute stereochemistry of the chiral centers on the side chain of the molecule is currently underway.

Characterizing observed circulation patterns within a bay using HF radar and numerical model simulations

In this study, High Frequency Radar (HFR), observations in conjunction with numerical model simulations investigate surface flow dynamics in a tidally-active, wind-driven bay; Galway Bay situated on the West coast of Ireland. Comparisons against ADCP sensor data permit an independent assessment of HFR and model performance, respectively. Results show root-mean-square (rms) differences in the range 10−12cm/s while model rms equalled 12−14cm/s. Subsequent analysis focus on a detailed comparison of HFR and model output. Harmonic analysis decompose both sets of surface currents based on distinct flow process, enabling a correlation analysis between the resultant output and dominant forcing parameters. Comparisons of barotropic model simulations and HFR tidal signal demonstrate consistently high agreement, particularly of the dominant M2 tidal signal. Analysis of residual flows demonstrate considerably poorer agreement, with the model failing to replicate complex flows. A number of hypotheses explaining this discrepancy are discussed, namely: discrepancies between regional-scale, coastal-ocean models and globally-influenced bay-scale dynamics; model uncertainties arising from highly-variable wind-driven flows across alarge body of water forced by point measurements of wind vectors; and the high dependence of model simulations on empirical wind-stress coefficients. The research demonstrates that an advanced, widely-used hydro-environmental model does not accurately reproduce aspects of surface flow processes, particularly with regards wind forcing. Considering the significance of surface boundary conditions in both coastal and open ocean dynamics, the viability of using a systematic analysis of results to improve model predictions is discussed.

Rural Tourism Development in Connemara, Ireland

ABSTRACTSince the publication of the Brundtland Report, Our common future (1987), there has been a proliferation of guidelines on sustainability in rural areas at the international level that have gradually made their way to the centre of national policies. In this paper, thematic analysis is applied to establish the current situation in relation to sustainable tourism development in Connemara, a popular rural tourism destination on the west coast of Ireland. The area is economically highly dependent on tourism, and the environment plays an important role in attracting visitors. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of organisations in the public and private sectors. The study shows little evidence of the adoption of a sustainable approach to tourism development at the local and regional levels. A key finding was lack of evidence of networking or opportunities for locals' participation in tourism decision-making. Furthermore, the apparent absence of strong leadership and a reactive approach to development were not conducive to sustainability.

Shape optimisation of floating wave energy converters for a specified wave energy spectrum

Ocean wave energy is one of the world's most powerful forms of energy and the energy density in ocean waves is the highest among renewable energy sources. Wave energy converters are employed to harness this energy and convert it into usable electrical energy. However, in order to efficiently extract the energy, the wave energy converter must be optimised in the design stage. Therefore, in this paper, a methodology is presented which aims to optimise the structural geometric configuration of the device to maximise the average power extraction from its intended deployment site. Furthermore, a case study of the Atlantic marine energy test site, off the west coast of Ireland, is undertaken in order to demonstrate the methodology. Using the average annual wave energy spectrum at this site as the input, the optimum structural geometric configuration was established, along with an analysis of the optimum configuration for different radius devices. In addition, the optimum damping coefficient of the PTO mechanism is determined and the total mean absorbed power for the structure at the site over the entire scatter diagram of data is calculated.

Pathology and mortality associated with the mauve stinger jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

Jellyfish can cause significant losses to the aquaculture industry. This report describes the clinical presentation and pathology caused by the mauve stinger jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskal, 1775) in cultured Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. in Ireland and highlights the potential consequences and need for descriptive pathology of such interactions. P. noctiluca is a member of the cnidarian class Scyphozoa (Order Semaeostomeae; Family Pelagiidae) and has worldwide distribution through the warm and temperate waters of the marine environment. This golden brown to purple jellyfish species lacks the benthic polyp stage and has a primarily pelagic habitat, although ocean currents bring it closer to coastal waters. P. noctiluca is frequently observed from the west coast of Ireland especially during the autumn months, but large aggregations are not commonly reported. In a jellyfish survey carried out around Ireland in 2009, P. noctiluca was the most abundant species found, accounting for 93% of the overall catch (total wet weight of gelatinous species) (Bastian et al. 2011). Its distribution and density were found to be heterogeneous, with great variation between regions (apparent North-South gradient in density) and sampling points (Bastian et al. 2011). When in contact with a fish farm, small jellyfish can pass through the nets, while bigger individuals tend to break up into pieces still capable of stinging the fish. In jellyfish blooms, affected fish can suffer from hypoxia, mechanical damage and toxicity via nematocysts discharge (Baxter et al. 2011a; Rodger, Henry & Mitchell 2011). In 2013, large swarms of P. noctiluca were observed intermittently in several Northern and Southern farms in the west coast of Ireland from the beginning of August to mid-November. Jellyfish presence was determined by visual observations from boat and cages and by divers during removal of mortalities. Zooplankton sampling through vertical net tows and posterior species identification was also carried out. The diagnosis of the jellyfish species involved was based on the morphological features described in detail by Russell (1970). Jellyfish appeared in the vicinity and inside cages (Fig. 1a), and associated mortalities ranged from <1% to 70% depending on farm and pen location. The highest mortalities occurred in two farms situated in the North region, after an atypically warm summer when the seawater temperature ranged from 21 °C in August to 10 °C in November. Significant numbers of jellyfish were observed within the affected cages prior to presence of the gill and skin lesions. Therefore, the reported pathology was directly associated to the jellyfish presence. Affected fish showed respiratory distress, loss of appetite, lethargy and/or increased jumping behaviour. On the most severe cases, up to 80% Correspondence Mar Marcos-L opez, Vet-Aqua International, Unit 7b Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland (e-mail: mar.marcos.lopez@gmail.com)

A sea spray aerosol flux parameterization encapsulating wave state

Abstract. A new sea spray source function (SSSF), termed Oceanflux Sea Spray Aerosol or OSSA, was derived based on in-situ sea spray aerosol measurements along with meteorological/physical parameters. Submicron sea spray aerosol fluxes derived from particle number concentration measurements at the Mace Head coastal station, on the west coast of Ireland, were used together with open-ocean eddy correlation flux measurements from the Eastern Atlantic Sea Spray, Gas Flux, and Whitecap (SEASAW) project cruise. In the overlapping size range, the data for Mace Head and SEASAW were found to be in a good agreement, which allowed deriving the new SSSF from the combined dataset spanning the dry diameter range from 15 nm to 6 μm. The OSSA source function has been parameterized in terms of five lognormal modes and the Reynolds number instead of the more commonly used wind speed, thereby encapsulating important influences of wave height, wind history, friction velocity, and viscosity. This formulation accounts for the different flux relationships associated with rising and waning wind speeds since these are included in the Reynolds number. Furthermore, the Reynolds number incorporates the kinematic viscosity of water, thus the SSSF inherently includes dependences on sea surface temperature and salinity. The temperature dependence of the resulting SSSF is similar to that of other in-situ derived source functions and results in lower production fluxes for cold waters and enhanced fluxes from warm waters as compared with SSSF formulations that do not include temperature effects.

“Listening for landfall”: how silence and fear marginalized the music of the Aran Islands

The Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland are a palimpsest bearing layers of representations in a myriad of forms including literature, film, television, radio, photography, and art, representations created by islanders and visitors. In the resulting Aran canon, which is dominated by visiting authors instead of local authors, the music of the Aran Islands – which is classified here as Irish traditional or folk music – has, however, been marginalised. This is surprising because both Irish traditional music and Aran itself are often cast independently of each other as entities that depict Irishness, entities that are, in fact, for many observers, exemplars of that identity. This article questions how the visitor’s experience of listening in Aran, which differs radically from that of locals, has contributed to the marginalisation of local music in the wider discourse and practice of Irish traditional music and Irish culture. It focuses on two of the forces at work in the marginalisation of the music of Aran. They are an appetite for silence and the silencing of music. Referencing the work of John Millington Synge, Kuno Meyer, Fr. Eoghan Ó Gramhnaigh and Andrew McNeillie, and that of the local poet Máirtín Ó Direáin, it considers the motives and fears that led visitors and islanders to treat the music of Aran as they did. This article is ultimately about how the act of listening to the world around us has a fundamental impact on how we represent islands and their cultures. Acknowledging the strong association between music and place that permeates the discourse of Irish traditional music and how, through the uniquely visceral experience of listening, that association has come to be so pervasive, it questions how and why, through the choices we make when we are listening, we perform notions of authenticity, musicality, and identity.

The effects of array configuration on the hydro-environmental impacts of tidal turbines

The economic viability of tidal turbines will require the deployment of multiple devices in array formations in a manner analogous to wind farms. This research investigates the effects of the configuration of a tidal turbine array, specifically the turbine spacing and capacity, on the hydro-environmental impacts of the array. The hydrodynamic regime of the Shannon Estuary, a highly energetic estuary on the west coast of Ireland, was simulated using a depth integrated 2D hydro-environmental model. The numerical model was modified to incorporate the mechanics of energy extraction using linear momentum actuator disc theory and the impacts of a multiple device array were simulated. Three different array configurations were examined with turbine spacings of 0.5, 2 and 5 rotor diameters. The model results demonstrate that flows are attenuated inside the array and accelerated around the array. Water levels are also affected with a reduction in tidal range within, and upstream of, the array and a delay in high and low tides upstream of the array. The magnitude and extent of the observed impacts are found to reduce as the density and capacity are increased and that the impacts of large-scale arrays can be acceptable if deployed using a low density spacing of 5 rotor diameters.

The timing of early life events and growth rate estimates of age‐0 year group brill Scophthalmus rhombus along the west coast of Ireland

The timing of spawning and hatching, larval durations and growth exhibited by juvenile brill Scophthalmus rhombus captured along the Irish west coast were estimated using otolith microstructure analysis. Scophthalmus rhombus were estimated to have hatched between February and May, with fish settling onto nursery grounds between March and June. Fish collected later on in the season exhibited higher otolith growth rates in comparison to earlier collected fish. This is the first study to describe the early life history of a commercially valuable but understudied flatfish species.

Shortcomings in the European principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Assessing the implications for locally orientated coastal management using Biome Portfolio Analysis (BPA)

EU policy geared towards the sustainable development of European coastal areas has incorporated Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) as one of its primary mechanisms to achieve its goal. However, critical shortcomings in the ICZM paradigm have emerged. In particular, incoherence in the European Commission's ICZM principles with respect to local and strategic objectives remains an issue. Additionally, a lack of scientific certainty about environmental processes when determining the environmental pros and cons of alternative coastal-management decisions undermines environmentally protective decisions that may otherwise hinder local regional development. With these issues in mind, a Biodiversity Portfolio Analysis (BPA) is applied to Iarras Aithneach, a peninsula on the west coast of Ireland, to test its suitability as tool for ICZM. In addition, the paper uses the BPA methodology to explore the contrast between scientific/strategic and local attitudes towards the management of a coastal area of environmental importance. Pronounced differences between the two are found and the implications for both BPA and ICZM are discussed. The spatial and participatory nature of the BPA process and the explicit treatment of risk the framework exhibits suggest there is scope for it to become a useful tool for ICZM. It also has the potential to act as a routine way of quantifying the “attitude gap” between the scientific community and the local community when managing a unique coastal area.

Characterization of volcanic ash from the 2011 Grímsvötn eruption by means of single-particle analysis

This work focuses on transport and properties of ash from the Icelandic volcano Grímsvötn that erupted in spring 2011. Atmospheric transport of volcanic ash from the eruption was simulated using the Danish Emergency Response Model of the Atmosphere (DERMA). The arrivals of volcanic particles were detected on-line at Mace Head at the West coast of Ireland during volcanic plume advection identified by high resolution time of flight aerosol mass spectrometry (HR-ToF AMS).Based on DERMA information aerosol particles were collected in Copenhagen, Denmark, before predicted arrival of the ash plume and during a period where ash was present in the air.Analysis of the meteorological conditions shows that the particles collected before arrival of the volcanic ash may serve as a good reference sample allowing identification of significant changes in ambient aerosol properties during the volcanic ash event over Copenhagen. Using single particle analysis in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), data on structure, chemical composition, size and morphology of individual volcanic ash particles from the Grímsvötn eruption after atmospheric transport to Scandinavia are provided. Particles were sliced with Focused Ion Beam (FIB). Element mappings from cross-sections through collected volcanic ash particles reveal inhomogeneous distributions of the elements K, Mg, Fe and Ti.

The seaweeds &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Fucus vesiculosus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Ascophyllum nodosum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; are significant contributors to coastal iodine emissions

Abstract. Based on the results of a pilot study in 2007, which found high mixing ratios of molecular iodine (I2) above the intertidal macroalgae (seaweed) beds at Mweenish Bay (Ireland), we extended the study to nine different locations in the vicinity of Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station on the west coast of Ireland during a field campaign in 2009. The mean values of I2 mixing ratio found above the macroalgae beds at nine different locations ranged from 104 to 393 ppt, implying a high source strength of I2. Such mixing ratios are sufficient to result in photochemically driven coastal new-particle formation events. Mixing ratios above the Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus beds increased with exposure time: after 6 h exposure to ambient air the mixing ratios were one order of magnitude higher than those initially present. This contrasts with the emission characteristics of Laminaria digitata, where most I2 was emitted within the first half hour of exposure. Discrete in situ measurements (offline) of I2 emission from ambient air-exposed chamber experiments of L. digitata, A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus substantially supported the field observations. Further online and time-resolved measurements of the I2 emission from O3-exposed macroalgal experiments in a chamber confirmed the distinct I2 emission characteristics of A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus compared to those of L. digitata. The emission rates of A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus were comparable to or even higher than L. digitata after the initial exposure period of ~20–30 min. We suggest that A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus may provide an important source of photolabile iodine in the coastal boundary layer and that their impact on photochemistry and coastal new-particle formation should be reevaluated in light of their longer exposure at low tide and their widespread distribution.