Dispersion of dissolved trace metals from the Irish Sea into Scottish coastal waters |
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| Institution: | 1. RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK;2. Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3QZ, UK;3. VulPro, Rietfontein, North West Province 0048, South Africa;4. Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands, Thurso, Caithness, KW17 7JD, UK;5. Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Gauteng 0110, South Africa;6. SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, SRUC, Janetstown, Caithness KW14 7XF, UK;7. Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Gauteng 0110, South Africa;1. Systems Ecology Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany;2. Department of Physics and Earth Science, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany;1. Earth and Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland;2. Ryan Institute: Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland;3. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Ireland;4. Groundwater Section, Geological Survey of Ireland, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland;5. Hydrometric and Groundwater Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Dublin 4, Ireland;6. GIS Centre, Ryan Institute and School of Geography and Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland;1. Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD—CSIC), Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, 42092, Sevilla, Spain;2. Loro Parque Fundation, Avda. Loro Parque, s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain;3. Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans (CIRCE), Cabeza de Manzaneda 3, Algeciras-Pelayo, 11390 Cádiz, Spain |
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| Abstract: | An investigation has been undertaken into the dispersal of contaminants from the Irish Sea into coastal waters of Scotland via the North Channel. A total of 97 surface samples have been analysed for dissolved copper, cadmium and lead. Salinity and reactive phosphate have also been determined. Evidence is presented to suggest that copper, cadmium and reactive phosphate behave essentially conservatively on mixing into Scottish coastal waters. This behaviour is likened to the dispersal of137Cs from the Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. It is suggested that this simple mechanism is inadequate to account for the lead distribution. It is proposed that this element is partly taken up by suspended particulates and sediments in the well-mixed turbid waters of the North Channel.It has been demonstrated elsewhere that contaminants from the Irish Sea, such as137Cs enter the Firth of Clyde from the North Channel. In the present study North Channel waters are demonstrated to be an important source of trace metals to the Firth of Clyde. At the time of this survey however high concentrations of trace metals were not entering the Firth of Clyde from the North Channel. This is principally attributed to a salinity front associated with the entrance of the Firth which hinders transport across the sill. |
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