Organic matter and nutrient inputs to the Humber Estuary, England

Estuaries are sinks for organic matter and nutrients entering both from their catchments and also from the adjacent lands and urban areas and in turn they are sources of such materials to the adjacent coast. The present paper quantifies the relative amounts of natural and anthropogenic organic matter and nutrients entering the Humber Estuary, Eastern England, including the allochthonous and autochthonous materials, those from urban and industrial sewage and from the catchment drainage of arable land. These data thus give a budget for the estuary which in turn answers questions fundamental to the management of the estuary. The estimations within the study have been carried out against a background of designating estuaries under the European Union Urban Waste-water Treatment Directive and the EU Nitrates Directive. The assessment has particularly addressed the question, related to the former Directive, of whether the Humber Estuary is eutrophic or likely to become eutrophic unless management measures are taken. Thus the paper indicates the nature and value of control measures such as treatment plant upgrading and the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. The paper includes the recent national and European discussions on the designation of areas under these Directives. Finally, the study has allowed a quantification of the present organic inputs to the estuary in comparison to those entering prior to large scale land-claim which had removed natural organic-producing wetlands.     

Stochastic response of suspension bridges to earthquake forces

The purpose of the paper is to study the applicability of stochastic methods for determining the response in the vertical plane of long-span bridges to earthquakes. The bridges are of the modern type, with flexible towers, box-decks and inclined hangers, Humber and Bosporus being used as the main examples, although some useful information is obtained by studying a small suspension footbridge. The input ground acceleration is that of the Pacoima Dam record of the 1971 San Fernando event, but use is also made of filtered white noise. Because the stochastic approach is essentially an attempt to abstract usable information which could otherwise be obtained from a lengthy time-history approach, the procedure adopted here is to compare the same parameters obtained in these two ways, as far as possible. In particular, the maximum values of displacements and bending moments are considered. The essential question to be answered is whether the short length of earthquake records, coupled with the large natural periods of vibration of long-span bridges, allows sufficient response information to be generated to make statistical parameters meaningful. The short-span (50 m) footbridge gives no cause for concern here, but the detailed comparison with time-history solutions shows that the stochastic approach for both Bosporus and Humber has to be cautiously assessed, particularly if some trailing zeros are not added to the earthquake record. However, general conclusions are not made, because only one earthquake record has been used.     

Physical and biological development of a newly breached managed realignment site,Humber estuary,UK

As part of the Humber flood defence upgrade works (Urgent works) undertaken by the Environment Agency, the Paull Holme Strays site was identified as one of twelve potential managed realignment sites within the Humber catchment. The site was breached in September 2003, creating 80 hectares of new intertidal habitat. Initial accretion monitoring commenced in December 2003 with annual surveys of invertebrate colonisation commencing in October 2004. The present study gives details of the physical development of the newly created mudflat within the site, together with invertebrate colonisation and benthic community change over time. Comparisons between the newly created habitat and the existing mudflat outside the old sea wall are made.The macrofaunal communities found within the area as a whole are considered to be characteristic of the area with low species diversity, high abundance and small body size. The community within the managed realignment site is still in an early successional stage with low abundance and diversity in comparison with other sites within this part of the Humber. However the community biomass increased considerably between 2004 and 2005. Colonisation within the managed realignment site is still primarily concentrated in the areas around the two breach sites and is thought to be restricted in other areas due to infrequent tidal inundation.     

Physical and biological development of a newly breached managed realignment site, Humber estuary, UK

As part of the Humber flood defence upgrade works (Urgent works) undertaken by the Environment Agency, the Paull Holme Strays site was identified as one of twelve potential managed realignment sites within the Humber catchment. The site was breached in September 2003, creating 80 hectares of new intertidal habitat. Initial accretion monitoring commenced in December 2003 with annual surveys of invertebrate colonisation commencing in October 2004. The present study gives details of the physical development of the newly created mudflat within the site, together with invertebrate colonisation and benthic community change over time. Comparisons between the newly created habitat and the existing mudflat outside the old sea wall are made. The macrofaunal communities found within the area as a whole are considered to be characteristic of the area with low species diversity, high abundance and small body size. The community within the managed realignment site is still in an early successional stage with low abundance and diversity in comparison with other sites within this part of the Humber. However the community biomass increased considerably between 2004 and 2005. Colonisation within the managed realignment site is still primarily concentrated in the areas around the two breach sites and is thought to be restricted in other areas due to infrequent tidal inundation.     

The application of ecohydrological groundwater indicators to hydrogeological conceptual models

This article reviews the application of ecohydrological indicators to hydrogeological conceptual models for earth-scientists with little or no botanical training. Ecohydrological indicators are plants whose presence or morphology can provide data about the hydrogeological setting. By examining the literature from the fields of ecohydrology, hydrogeology, geobotany, and ecology, this article summarizes what is known about groundwater indicator plants, their potential for providing information about the aquifer, and how this data can be a cost-effective addition to hydrogeological conceptual models. We conclude that the distribution and morphology of ecohydrological groundwater indicator plants can be useful to hydrogeologists in certain circumstances. They are easiest to evaluate in arid and semiarid climates. Ecohydrological groundwater indicators can provide information about the absolute depth to the water table, patterns of groundwater fluctuation, and the mineralization of the aquifer. It is shown that an understanding of the meteorological conditions of a region is often necessary to accurately interpret groundwater indicator plants and that useful data is usually obtained by observing patterns of vegetation behavior rather than interpreting individual plants. The most serious limitations to applying this source of information to hydrogeological conceptual models are the limited data in the literature and the regional nature of many indicator plants. The physical and physiological indications of the plants exist, but little effort has been made to interpret them. This article concludes by outlining several potential lines of research that could further the usefulness of ecohydrological groundwater indicators to the hydrogeological community.     

Comparison of the partitioning of trace metals in the Humber and Mersey estuaries

Studies into the partitioning of trace metals between the dissolved phase and suspended solids have been performed on two major UK estuaries, the Mersey and the Humber. Aqueous phase trace metal concentrations were determined, along with partitioning data (K_p) determined from both laboratory equilibration experiments and by chemical leaching techniques.

Dissolved trace metals in the Humber essentially exhibited conservative behaviour (or a slight positive deviation). In the Mersey, however, removal of zinc, chromium, and, in particular, copper and cadmium occurred in the low salinity region.

Sequential extraction data gave an indication of the nature of trace metal bindings to suspended sediment, and revealed total extractable trace metals on the Mersey suspended sediment to be a factor of two greater than that found in the Humber. Similarly, partition coefficients in the Mersey were approximately an order of magnitude greater than in the Humber. Chloro-complexation was shown to control the partitioning of cadmium within estuaries. Copper, however, exhibited a distinct trend of increasing K_p with increasing salinity.     

A Practical Approach to Evaluating Natural Attenuation of Contaminants in Ground Water

The extent of natural attenuation is an important consideration in determining the most appropriate corrective action at sites where ground water quality has been impacted by releases of petroleum hydrocarbons or other chemicals. The objective of this study was to develop a practical approach that would evaluate natural attenuation based on easily obtained field data and field tested indicators of natural attenuation. The primary indicators that can he used to evaluate natural attenuation include plume characteristics and dissolved oxygen levels in ground water. Case studies of actual field sites show that plumes migrate more slowly than expected, reach a steady state, and decrease in extent and concentration when natural attenuation is occurring. Background dissolved oxygen levels greater than 1 to 2 mg/L and an inverse correlation between dissolved oxygen and contaminant levels have been identified through laboratory and field studies as key indicators of aerobic biodegradation. an important attenuation mechanism. Secondary indicators such as geochemical data, and more intensive methods such as contaminant mass balances, laboratory microcosm studies, and detailed ground water modeling can demonstrate natural attenuation as well. The recommended approach for evaluating natural attenuation is to design site assessment activities so that required data such as dissolved oxygen levels and historical plume flow path concentrations are obtained. With the necessary data, the primary indicators should be applied to evaluate natural attenuation. II the initial evaluation suggests that natural attenuation is a viable corrective action alternative, then a monitoring plan should be implemented to verify the extent of natural attenuation.     

Methodological framework to select plant species for controlling rill and gully erosion: application to a Mediterranean ecosystem

Many studies attribute the effects of vegetation in reducing soil erosion rates to the effects of the above‐ground biomass. The effects of roots on topsoil resistance against concentrated flow erosion are much less studied. However, in a Mediterranean context, where the above‐ground biomass can temporarily disappear because of fire, drought or overgrazing, and when concentrated flow erosion occurs, roots can play an important role in controlling soil erosion rates. Unfortunately, information on Mediterranean plant characteristics, especially root characteristics, growing on semi‐natural lands, and knowledge of their suitability for gully erosion control is often lacking. A methodological framework to evaluate plant traits for this purpose is absent as well. This paper presents a methodology to assess the suitability of plants for rill and gully erosion control and its application to 25 plant species, representative for a semi‐arid Mediterranean landscape in southeast Spain. In this analysis determination of suitable plants for controlling concentrated flow erosion is based on a multi‐criteria analysis. First, four main criteria were determined, i.e. (1) the potential of plants to prevent incision by concentrated flow erosion, (2) the potential of plants to improve slope stability, (3) the resistance of plants to bending by water flow and (4) the ability of plants to trap sediments and organic debris. Then, an indicator or a combination of two indicators was used to assess the scores for the four criteria. In total, five indicators were selected, i.e. additional root cohesion, plant stiffness, stem density, the erosion‐reducing potential during concentrated flow and the sediment and organic debris obstruction potential. Both above‐ and below‐ground plant traits were taken into account and measured to assess the scores for the five indicators, i.e. stem density, sediment and organic debris obstruction potential, modulus of elasticity of the stems, moment of inertia of the stems, root density, root diameter distribution, root area ratio and root tensile strength. The scores for the indicators were represented on amoeba diagrams, indicating the beneficial and the weak plant traits, regarding to erosion control. The grasses Stipa tenacissima L. and Lygeum spartum L. and the shrub Salsola genistoides Juss. Ex Poir. amongst others, were selected as very suitable plant species for rill and gully erosion control. Stipa tenacissima can be used to re‐vegetate abandoned terraces as this species is adapted to drought and offers a good protection to concentrated flow erosion and shallow mass movements. Lygeum spartum can be used to vegetate concentrated flow zones or to obstruct sediment inflow to channels at gully outlets. Stipa tenacissima and Salsola genistoides can be used to stabilize steep south‐facing slopes. The methodology developed in this study can be applied to other plant species in areas suffering from rill and gully erosion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Topographic monitoring of a middle estuary mudflat, Humber estuary, UK – Anthropogenic impacts and natural variation

Annual topographic surveys were carried out at the Saltend mudflat (Humber estuary, UK) between 1998 and 2006. These surveys formed part of an ongoing monitoring programme to examine the potential effects on the mudflat topography of the construction and operation of a waste water treatment works (WwTW) development by Yorkshire Water. Of particular concern was the potential disruption to the sedimentological regime within the special protection area (SPA) and candidate special area of conservation (cSAC) which could affect the invertebrate communities and ornithological functioning of the site. In addition to the development of the WwTW located to the extreme north-west of the site, a port extension removing 10 ha of the Saltend intertidal mudflat (outside the SPA but immediately south east of the WwTW) also occurred between 1999 and 2006. Minimal change was noted across the site following the construction and operation of the WwTW between 1998 and 2000. However, the construction of the bund in closer proximity to the SPA and cSAC masked any potential impact the WwTW could have had across the site after 2000. Profiles and contour mapping indicate that significant mudflat accretion occurred in the immediate area of the bund, with a general increase recorded across the western section of the site since 2000. In contrast the alternations to channel planform and subsequent rapid accretion of the mudflat to the east of the jetty, being a significant distance from the developments, are attributed to natural cyclical changes.     

Topographic monitoring of a middle estuary mudflat, Humber estuary, UK--anthropogenic impacts and natural variation

Annual topographic surveys were carried out at the Saltend mudflat (Humber estuary, UK) between 1998 and 2006. These surveys formed part of an ongoing monitoring programme to examine the potential effects on the mudflat topography of the construction and operation of a waste water treatment works (WwTW) development by Yorkshire Water. Of particular concern was the potential disruption to the sedimentological regime within the special protection area (SPA) and candidate special area of conservation (cSAC) which could affect the invertebrate communities and ornithological functioning of the site. In addition to the development of the WwTW located to the extreme north-west of the site, a port extension removing 10ha of the Saltend intertidal mudflat (outside the SPA but immediately south east of the WwTW) also occurred between 1999 and 2006. Minimal change was noted across the site following the construction and operation of the WwTW between 1998 and 2000. However, the construction of the bund in closer proximity to the SPA and cSAC masked any potential impact the WwTW could have had across the site after 2000. Profiles and contour mapping indicate that significant mudflat accretion occurred in the immediate area of the bund, with a general increase recorded across the western section of the site since 2000. In contrast the alternations to channel planform and subsequent rapid accretion of the mudflat to the east of the jetty, being a significant distance from the developments, are attributed to natural cyclical changes.     

Identification of appropriate lags and temporal resolutions for low flow indicators in the River Rhine to forecast low flows with different lead times

The aim of this paper is to assess the relative importance of low flow indicators for the River Rhine and to identify their appropriate temporal lag and resolution. This is done in the context of low flow forecasting with lead times of 14 and 90 days. First, the Rhine basin is subdivided into seven sub‐basins. By considering the dominant processes in the sub‐basins, five low flow indicators were selected: precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, groundwater storage, snow storage and lake storage. Correlation analysis was then carried out to determine the relationship between observed low flows and preselected indicators with varying lags (days) and temporal resolutions (from 1 day to 7 months). The results show that the most important low flow indicators in the Alpine sub‐basins for forecasts with a lead time of 14 days are potential evapotranspiration with a large lag and temporal resolution, and lake levels with a small lag and temporal resolution. In the other sub‐basins groundwater levels with a small lag and temporal resolution are important in addition to potential evapotranspiration with a large lag and temporal resolution. The picture is slightly different for forecasts with a lead time of 90 days. The snow storage in the Alpine sub‐basins and the precipitation in the other sub‐basins also become relevant for low flows. Consequently, the most important low flow indicators in the Alpine sub‐basins for forecasts with a lead time of 90 days are potential evapotranspiration with a large lag and temporal resolution, lake levels with a small lag and temporal resolution and snow storage with a small lag and large temporal resolution. The resultant correlation maps provide appropriate lags and temporal resolutions for indicators to forecast low flows in the River Rhine with different lead times. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Humber Estuary, Eastern England: Strategic planning of flood defences and habitats

The Humber Estuary Shoreline Management Plan provides a long-term strategy for investment in sustainable defences to reduce the risk to people and property from flooding in part of Eastern England. In addition to the estuary's economic importance with its ports, industry and the third of a million people living on its floodplain, the Humber is of outstanding value for wildlife and its historic environment. The plan has to meet the needs of these activities and take account of rising sea level. It is based on extensive technical studies and modelling. The realignment of some embankments is being examined so that the creation of intertidal habitat will offset losses from coastal squeeze, increase the stability for some lengths of embankment and reduce extreme high flood levels in the tidal rivers. The 80 ha Paull Holme Strays managed realignment wetland was completed in the summer of 2003 and work is in progress on another at Alkborough. Other such realignment will be developed as part of the implementation of the long term strategy.     

Survival trends of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Clostridium perfringens in a sandy South Florida beach

The search for alternative indicators of disease-risk from non-enteric pathogens at the beach revealed high densities of targeted bacteria. To explain the high numbers of potential non-enteric pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in beach sand, we investigated factors affecting their survival and distribution, as well as those of a potential fecal indicator, Clostridium perfringens. Results indicated greater S. aureus and P. aeruginosa survival and proliferation in sterile beach sand, than seawater, with diminished numbers upon exposure to natural micro-predators. C. perfringens remained relatively consistent with initial numbers. Intermediate sand particles (850 μm-2 mm) constituted the major micro-niche; creating implications for beach classification programs. Colonization of sterile sand boxes at the beach by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa confirmed the filtering action (>100×) of beach sand. The use of these potential pathogens in periodic sanitary evaluation of beach sand quality is indicated, regardless of the factors influencing their abundance.     

A report card and quality indicators for the Seine estuary: from scientific approach to operational tool

The scientific teams from the interdisciplinary Seine-Aval (SA) research program and the SA's operational pole, GIPSA (Groupement d'Intérêt Public Seine-Aval) have worked together to create a report card designed to help the Estuary Council (Conseil de l'Estuaire) revitalize its original functions: maintaining functional links between the various estuarine ecosystems, comprehending and managing the estuary's natural habitats and biological populations, and monitoring and improving the physical-chemical quality of the estuarine waters. The report card will be able to synthesize the information obtained from several system performance variables and available operational indicators. This approach, intended to guide the estuary managers, is the oeuvre of several scientific teams; it is particularly important in the context of the Water Framework Directive because it facilitates the elaboration of a group of relevant indicators, which can then be used as operational tools. A report card will provide decision-makers (e.g., political authorities; national, regional and local institutions and industries) with the key indicators for evaluating the system and predicting changes in terms of selected objectives, such as the preservation and restoration of the estuary's environmental functionalities. The final objective of the research is to choose among the available indicators to approximate potential ecological risks. Integrating the socio-economical data will perhaps lead to setting risk acceptability thresholds for the different uses of the Seine estuary. In the end, collaboration between the scientists, the managers, and the GIPSA operational pole will be essential to produce a viable report card about the environmental status of the Seine estuary. To illustrate the research now under way, this article presents the results for three actions undertaken, concerning: (i) physical indicators (i.e., an inventory of the estuary first as a whole, and then section by section); (ii) benthic indicators (i.e., seven indices which show a moderate EcoQ for the lower part of the estuary); and (iii) a eutrophication indicator (i.e., an indicator for coastal eutrophication potential (ICEP), which helps to limit the nutrient fluxes (N or P) that exceed the silica flux delivered by the Seine network, based on the Redfield ratios for algal propagation).     

A statistical–dynamical method for predicting estuary morphology

A statistical–dynamical model for estuary morphodynamics is presented and demonstrated with a case study on the Humber Estuary, UK. The model presented here is hybrid in nature where simplified process dynamics are combined with a data-driven approach. The modelling methodology uses an inverse technique to construct an unknown source function in the model-governing equation, using historic measurements of estuary bathymetry. Spatial and temporal variability of the source function was established using empirical orthogonal eigenfunction analysis. Predictions of estuary morphology are obtained by extrapolating the temporal coefficients of the EOFs, in order to construct a predicted source function which is then used in the hybrid morphodynamic equation to obtain the predicted estuary morphology. The model was applied to predict the morphological evolution of the Humber Estuary over a period of a decade. Predicted results were compared with measured bathymetry data. The results reveal that the model captured the decadal scale morphodynamic response of the estuary with a good qualitative accuracy, despite the simplified approach used in the model. The accuracy of model predictions can be greatly improved if high-frequency bathymetry data are available.     

Development of a benthic index to assess sediment quality in the Tampa Bay Estuary

The identification, remedial treatment, and monitoring of contaminated sediments are among the priorities for managers of the Tampa Bay Estuary. Tampa Bay, as an urbanized estuary, is subject to the input of watershed sources of chemical contaminants, including metals, pesticides, and organic chemicals. Although the use of biological indicators and their incorporation into multi-metric indices is not new, the refinement and applications of such techniques for determining environmental condition still require further development and exploration. We present a single Tampa Bay Benthic Index (TBBI) that was developed specifically for Tampa Bay. Stepwise discriminant analysis was applied to a comprehensive list of potential benthic metrics. Results from the stepwise procedure identified the metrics that best discriminated between "healthy" and "degraded" conditions, as defined by sediment contaminant effect levels and dissolved oxygen. Discriminant analysis was then applied to the resultant three variables to determine the linear combination for the index.     

The humber observatory: Concepts,instrumentation and software systems

The role of geomorphological research into sediment flux within modern dynamical systems and the consequent role of geomorphological research in the development of practical environmental management tools are seldom reconciled. Sediment fluxes can be estimated using instruments and numerical models, but problems arise when these results are to be interpreted to inform the environmental management debate. This paper presents one set of solutions in which we describe the work of the Humber Observatory and detail the concepts, instrumentation and software systems which have been developed to address such issues. The design and deployment of a new, automated meteorological station, new multiple sensor, radio-linked outstations and the collection of associated tidal and bathymetric data are described, together with discussion of the operational problems and data archiving and output issues. We also describe the numerical models based upon the dynamical equations which have been used to estimate water and sediment fluxes through the Humber Estuary, and we describe the design criteria for new semi-empirical models. Results from the various systems and models are presented as the basis for a regional research capability and in terms of operational delivery for environmental management.     

Indicator Ratios of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons for Geoenvironmental Studies of Natural and Technogenic Objects

The role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in geoenvironmental studies is demonstrated. Indicator ratios used to identify PAH origin are considered. Their reliability is assessed for natural and technogenic objects, taking into account their stability in the environment and the specific natural conditions. The most accurate indicators are determined for identifying combustion products of domestic and medicinal wastes.     

Monitoring ship noise to assess the impact of coastal developments on marine mammals

The potential impacts of underwater noise on marine mammals are widely recognised, but uncertainty over variability in baseline noise levels often constrains efforts to manage these impacts. This paper characterises natural and anthropogenic contributors to underwater noise at two sites in the Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation, an important marine mammal habitat that may be exposed to increased shipping activity from proposed offshore energy developments. We aimed to establish a pre-development baseline, and to develop ship noise monitoring methods using Automatic Identification System (AIS) and time-lapse video to record trends in noise levels and shipping activity. Our results detail the noise levels currently experienced by a locally protected bottlenose dolphin population, explore the relationship between broadband sound exposure levels and the indicators proposed in response to the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and provide a ship noise assessment toolkit which can be applied in other coastal marine environments.     

Inhibition of estuarine bacteria by metal refinery effluent

Water samples from the Humber Estuary adjacent to a discharge of metal refinery effluent were found to have high dissolved metal concentrations and low pH. Bacterial activities and concentrations of viable bacteria were low, indicating inhibition of bacteria and reduction in self-purification. Toxicity tests demonstrated that acid conditions and copper and arsenic amongst metals probably contributed to bacterial inhibition.