The Irish Sea: Is it eutrophic? |
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| Authors: | RJ Gowen P Tett K Kennington DK Mills TM Shammon BM Stewart N Greenwood C Flanagan M Devlin A Wither |
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| Institution: | 1. Aquatic Systems Branch, AFESD, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK;2. School of Life Sciences, Napier University, 10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, UK;3. University of Liverpool, School of Biological Sciences, Port Erin Marine Laboratory, Port Erin IM9 6JA, Isle of Man;4. Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 OHT, UK;5. Environment Agency, Joseph Proudman Laboratory, 6 Brownlow Street, Liverpool L3 5DA, UK |
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| Abstract: | The question of whether the Irish Sea is eutrophic is addressed by reviewing the evidence for anthropogenic nutrient enrichment, elevated phytoplankton production and biomass and undesirable disturbance in the context of the EU and OSPAR definitions of eutrophication. Winter concentrations of dissolved available inorganic phosphate (DAIP), nitrogen (DAIN as nitrate and nitrite) and silicate (Si) in coastal waters and concentrations of DAIP and Si in offshore waters of the Irish Sea are elevated relative to winter Celtic Sea shelf break concentrations (0.5 μM DAIP, 7.7 μM DAIN and 2.7 μM Si). Significant, negative nutrient salinity relationships and analysis of the Isle of Man nutrient time-series indicate that the elevated Irish Sea levels of DAIP and DAIN are the result of anthropogenic enrichment with highest concentrations (≈2.0 μM DAIP, 30 μM DAIN and 17 μM Si) measured in near shore eastern Irish Sea waters. |
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| Keywords: | eutrophication nutrient enrichment phytoplankton undesirable disturbance Irish Sea |
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