Title

Description and website address

Agricultural phosphorusand eutrophication

This is a US Department of Agriculture publication which looks at the processes of Phosphorus supply from agricultural land and methods which may be used to minimise its entry into watercourses. September 2003, 43 pages, 431kb.

(http://ars.usda.gov/is/np/Phos&Eutro2/agphoseutro2ed.pdf)

Ammonia in the UK

This document explains why Ammonia emissions from farming are causing concern, summarizes the findings of research into the sources and effects of ammonia emissions on the environment, and describes studies to identify and develop practical and cost-effective ways of reducing Ammonia emissions from farming.  Defra 2002 91 pages, 1.03MB. A hard copy of the document is available from Defra’s Publications.

(http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/publications/pubcat/env.htm#airquality)

Appraisal of rural BMPs for controlling diffuse pollution and enhancing biodiversity

This is a report (2204) produced by the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER) which reviews Best Management Practices (BMPs) for controlling farm-derived diffuse pollution. These comprise planning and general farm measures, in-field, field margin, in-stream and steading measures. BMPs are achieved by reducing inputs, detaining potential run-off water, preventing soil dislodgement, intercepting sediments before they reach watercources.

Report No:  WFD13 Available from FWR, Allen House, The Listons, Liston Road, Marlow, Bucks SL7 1FD.

(http://www.fwr.org)

Or as a download from SNIFFER’s website.

(http://www.sniffer.org.uk)

Buffer zones for water protection

Report of a project conducted by the Institute of Water and Environment on behalf of English Nature on the effectiveness of field buffer zones for controlling nutrient losses from agricultural land.

(http://www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/iwe/projects/bzp/buffzone.htm)

The contribution of agriculture to nutrient pollution in three European rivers, with reference to the European Nitrates Directive

This paper summarises the results of a large-scale analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes in the Rhine, Elbe and Po basins. The average contribution of agriculture to the total nutrient load in these rivers is estimated around 45% for nitrogen and 20% for phosphorus. A simulation of measures imposed by the European Directive on Nitrates from agricultural sources suggests that this directive may not be stringent enough to substantially reduce the nutrient loads in these rivers. 2002, 19 pages.

(http://www.ewaonline.de/journal/2002_02.pdf)

Cost curve assessment of phosphorus mitigation options relevant to UK agriculture

This research project has attempted to prioritise phosphorus mitigation options for losses from agricultural soils in terms of the probable costs, practicalities and applicability in England and Wales. A series of simple cost curves have been produced for different farming systems and mitigation strategies. The website contains both a summary report and the base data for the cost curves. There is a reasonable list of useful references in the report. September 2003, 16 pages.

(http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/project_data/More.asp
?I=PE0203&SCOPE=1&M=CFO&V=IGER)

Critical evaluation of options for reducing phosphorus loss from agriculture

Abstracts from conference held at Wageningen University, Netherlands August 2004. 105 pages, 815kb.

(http://www.alterra-research.nl/pls/portal30/docs/folder/ipw4/Proceedings.pdf)

Displacement of phosphorus in structured soils

This is a doctoral thesis from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences looking at the mechanisms of phosphorus loss from agricultural soils, dealing with soil processes in detail. 2001, 1.59MB, 30 pages.

(http://diss-epsilon.slu.se/archive/00000021/01/91-576-5826-9.fulltext.pdf)

Economics of in structured soils

Thesis from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences looking at how difference policy instruments may cost-effectively reduce marine eutrophication. 2002, 246kb, 41 pages.

(http://diss-epsilon.slu.se/archive/00000078/)

Environmental costs of the eutrophication of fresh waters in England and Wales

This research was commissioned to produce an indicative assessment of the environmental costs of eutrophication in order to assist in the prioritisation of remedial actions. It comprises a scoping study with the aim of producing a preliminary estimate of the cost of eutrophication in fresh waters of England and Wales. This will begin to put the costs of eutrophication in perspective with other environmental problems, and will identify areas where costs are currently unknown. Report produced by Essex University on behalf of the Environment Agency. November 2002, 56 pages.

(http://www2.essex.ac.uk/ces/ResearchProgrammes/CESO
ccasionalPapers/EAEutrophReport.pdf)

Environmental and economic impacts of diffuse pollution in the UK

A book covering in depth the problem of diffuse pollution sources and their impacts.  Edited by BJ D’Arcy, JB Ellis, RC Ferrier, A Jenkins and R Dils.

Available from: The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.

(http://www.ciwem.org)

201 pages, ISBN 1 870752 465 201.

European catchments and their impact on the coast (EUROCAT)

An EU 5^th framework programme project (2001-2004) designed to collect and assess available information on sources, fluxes and concentration levels of different compounds for eight catchments across Europe, including the Humber in the UK. The information will be integrated with socio-economic data and combined with natural science models and socio-economic tools and used to determine the critical loads of selected substances under different development scenarios for each river basin.

(http://www.cs.iia.cnr.it/EUROCAT/project.htm)

Eutrophication in Northern Ireland’s waters

This document presents the situation in 1999 with regard to eutrophication in Northern Ireland, summarises the action being taken to minimise its impact and proposes possible future management strategies. 141kb, 28 pages.

(http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/pubs/publications/EutroStrat_VC_A3_PDF.pdf)

Eutrophication and some European waters of Restricted Exchange

Regions of Restricted Exchange are an important feature of the European coastline. They are historically preferred sites for human settlement and aquaculture and their ecosystems, and consequent human use, which may be at risk from eutrophication. The EU OAERRE project concerns ‘Oceanographic Applications to Eutrophication in Regions of Restricted Exchange’. It began in July 2000 and studied six sites. 2003, 864kb, 37 pages.

(http://www.fojo.org/papers/oaerreview/CSR2003.pdf)

Eutrophication in Europe’s coastal waters

The main objectives of this report are to evaluate the causes, state and development of eutrophication in European coastal waters and identify areas where more monitoring data are needed to improve the assessment. 2001.

(http://reports.eea.eu.int/topic_report_2001_7/en/tab_content_RLR)

Evaluation of the Nitrogen sources and inputs to tidal waters in Northern Ireland

An investigation to determine the loadings of nitrate, ammonium and dissolved reactive phosphorus to tidal waters. The primary focus of the study was on nitrate loadings, which were partitioned between the following sources: agricultural land, uplands, forests, other land, and wastewater treatment works and industrial inputs. The division was primarily to determine whether the contribution of agricultural land to the total nitrate loading was sufficiently high as to merit designating the catchments of eutrophic, or potentially eutrophic, waters as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. March 2004, 718 kb, 118 pages.

(http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/pubs/publications/Ni_sources_inputs.pdf)

Four Point Plan for improved farm waste management

The Four Point Plan is a DIY tool for livestock farmers to suggest straightforward ways that reduce diffuse pollution risk from agricultural practices. March 2004, 1.1MB, 30 pages.

(http://www.sac.ac.uk/mainrep/pdfs/fourpointplan.pdf)

Fresh waters of Scotland

Data sheet produced by WWF and the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in 2000 directed at Geography students. Very comprehensive and useful overview for all. 26 pages, 1.25MB.

(http://www.wwflearning.org.uk/data/files/dss-freshwater-297.pdf)

Hazardous substances in the European marine environment - trends in metals and persistent organic pollutants

This report provides an assessment of trends in concentrations of six hazardous substances in mussels and fish in Europe’s seas since 1985. The trends are linked to reduction measures, foodstuff limit values and trends in inputs to coastal and marine waters. The results are presented in a series of maps. 2003.

(http://reports.eea.eu.int/topic_report_2003_2/en/tab_content_RLR)

Impacts of agricultural environmental management: case studies from theory to practice

This study examined six farms in representative sectors of Scottish agriculture with the aim of identifying sources of diffuse pollution on each farm. Whole- farm plans were produced aimed at bringing about reductions in diffuse pollution to water, soil and air and also habitat improvements. The report is presented in several sections which may be downloaded separately. 2002.

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/publications/technical/imp_env_man/index.htm)

Indicative costs of agricultural measures

This report was commissioned by Defra to consider the cost of measures which need to be undertaken by the agricultural sector to reduce pollution and contribute towards compliance with the Water Framework Directive. The report looks at what additional measures will be required over and above those already identified for compliance with existing water protection directives, reviews the existing knowledge about the contribution of agriculture to pollution and identifies costs levels for individual farmers. July 2003, 110 pages.

(http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/water/csf/document-archive.htm)

Interaction between fish farming and algal communities of the Scottish waters - a review

A review, based on government reports and scientific literature, of the relationship between harmful algal blooms, eutrophication and fish farming in Scottish waters, 2003, 1.08MB, 73 pages.

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/environment/algal.pdf)

Inventory of Ammonia emissions from UK agriculture

2003 output data from Defra-funded project ,conducted by IGER, ADAS and SRI, to measure Ammonia emissions from agriculture.

(http://www.iger.bbsrc.ac.uk/Ammonia_Inventory/AmmoniaInventory.html)

Land use for achieving ‘good ecological status’ of water bodies in England and Wales: a theoretical exploration for Nitrogen and Phosphorus

A review of the measures and the scale and achievability required to meet the Water Framework Directive. December 2003, 30 pages.

(http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/diffuse/agri/pdf/landuse-ges.pdf)

Management of eutrophicated coastal zones

A thesis from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences which looks at how to develop policies to reduce eutrophication which can be effective over a heterogeneous natural and economic landscape. 2004, 424kb, 45 pages.

(http://diss-epsilon.slu.se/archive/00000717/)

MANNER

Manner is a decision support system that can be used to predict accurately the fertiliser Nitrogen value of organic manures on a field specific basis.

(http://www.adas.co.uk/manner/)

Nitrate – an update of the human health medical case

Nitrate, Agriculture & the Environment, Addiscott, T.M., et al, 2005, 305 pages. Published by CABI Publishing, ISBN 0851999131. The book includes a chapter on Nitrates & Health.

(http://books.google.com/books?id=ok7x8TrCCzoC&dq=addiscott&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=Y-Cv4mLnDs&sig=MkaFwKBvvh3XNO9Op2ZFOyUfa1Q#PPP1,M1)

Nitrogen and Phosphorus supplement

This document is a supplement to the Scottish Government’s Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity code of good practice. It provides practical information on how to minimise Nitrogen and Phosphorus losses from agricultural land. 2001, 18 pages.

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/pepfa.pdf)

Nitrogen leaching in small agricultural catchments

A thesis from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in which small agricultural monitoring catchments in Sweden were used for the application and testing of model-based methods for quantification of Nitrogen leaching from arable fields, and for analysis of measured data. The physically-based modelling system SOILNDB was used for quantification of Nitrogen leaching, by direct simulations using monitored field data and by producing field Nitrogen leaching coefficients. 2004, 1.3MB, 37 pages.

(http://diss-epsilon.slu.se/archive/00000677/)

Non-agricultural sources of groundwater nitrate: a review and case study

This paper quantifies the amount of Nitrogen released from various urban sources into the groundwater environment and considers their significance to the wider environment. 2005 14 pages, 620kb.

(http://www.shef.ac.uk/content/1/c6/04/96/36/gprgpaper_2005_wakida_lerner.pdf)

Nutrients in European ecosystems

This report presents a pan-European overview of the geographical distribution, and severity of adverse effects, of excessive anthropogenic inputs of nutrients in European ecosystems 1999, 5.6MB.

(http://reports.eea.eu.int/ENVIASSRP04/en/tab_content_RLR)

Nutrients in rivers, lakes and coastal waters

Facts and figures from the Environment Agency

(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/water/210440)

Planet4Farmers

Planning land applications of nutrients for efficiency and the environment. A free software version of the Fertiliser Recommendations.

(http://www.planet4farmers.co.uk/welcome/index.html)

Preliminary assessment of the environmental costs of eutrophication of fresh waters in England and Wales

This research was commissioned by the Environment Agency and comprises a scoping study with three aims:

i) to produce a preliminary estimate of the cost of eutrophication in fresh waters of England and Wales

ii) to begin to put the costs of eutrophication in perspective with other environmental problems

iii) to identify areas where costs are currently unknown and further research is required.

2002, 328kb, 56 pages.

(http://www2.essex.ac.uk/ces/ResearchProgrammes/CESOccasionalPapers
/EAEutrophReport.pdf)

Pressures and impacts on Scotland’s water environment

Comprehensive review of the state of Scottish rivers, lochs and coastal waters which formed part of the consultation on River Basin Characterisation which closed in September 2004. 2.5MB 76 pages.

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/consultation/closed/2004/wfd_char/
characterisation_consultation.pdf)

Prevention of environmental pollution from agricultural activities

Booklet produced by the Scottish Government as a quick guide to the do’s and don’ts of operating agricultural activities. 2002, 34 pages.

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/environment/pepf-00.asp)

A procedure to estimate the response of aquatic systems to changes in phosphorus and nitrogen inputs

Produced by the US Department of Agriculture, this document provides a simple assessment procedure to estimate the responsiveness of a water body to changes in the supply (loading) of phosphorus and nitrogen. Lakes, rivers, streams and estuaries may be assessed with this procedure. It is a clear, though fairly technical publication. October 1999, 43 pages.

(http://www.sera17.ext.vt.edu//SERA_17_Publications.htm)

Report on the environmental aspects of the Nitrates Directive in Northern Ireland

Compiled by a DoE and DARD working group this document looks at the extent of eutrophication in Northern Ireland, looks at nitrogen sources into the environment and considers the implications of the Nitrates Directive. October 2002, 63 pages, 1.8MB.

(http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/pubs/publications/DARDDOE23OCT02.pdf)

Review and synthesis of the environmental impacts of aquaculture

This report for the Scottish Government looks at the environmental impact of nutrients, waste, anti-foulants, medicines, diseases and fish escapes arising from fish farming, 2002, 375kb, 80 pages.

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/kd01/green/reia.pdf)

Rivers and estuaries – a decade of improvement

A summary of the general quality assessment of rivers and classification of estuaries in England and Wales, produced by the Environment Agency. Contains information on biology, chemistry, nutrient and aesthetics in 4 separate sections.

(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/water/213902/river_qual/gqa2000/?version=1&lang=_e)

Study of bathing waters compliance with EC Directive 76/160/EEC: the relationship between exceedence of standards and antecedent rainfall

A Scottish Environment Protection Agency publication looking at how monitoring data can be influenced by weather conditions immediately prior to sampling events. 2001, 20 pages.

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/data/bathingwaters/rainfall_and_bathing_water_quality.pdf)

Towards integrated catchment and coastal zone management science, policy and scenariosl

Report arising from the 5th Framework Programme project EUROCAT which aims to achieve integrated catchment and coastal zone management by analysing the response of the coastal sea to changes in fluxes of nutrients and contaminants from the catchments. The Humber estuary is used to illustrate how scenarios are not precise future predictions but methods to aid decision-makers in their efforts to cope with inevitable uncertainty. ISSN 0967-8875, 35 pages.

(http://www.uea.ac.uk/env/cserge/pub/wp/ecm/ecm_2002_05.pdf)

Water pollution arising from land containing chemical contaminants

Scottish Environment Protection Agency publication offering an introduction to assessing whether contaminated land is causing water pollution including relevant legislation. December 2001, 20 pages.

(http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/publications/leaflets/cont_land/water_pollution_guide.pdf)