Lake Sampling in Co. Meath
Vytautas Sakinis (pictured) and John Lyons of Verde Environmental Consultants undertaking sampling of Lough Owel, Co. Westmeath under the Water Framework Directive.
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires the development of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) on a cyclical basis, and the establishment of Programmes of Measures (POMs) based on these plans. RBMPs are developed based, in part, on monitoring data collected from rivers and lakes.
Verde samplers obtain water quality samples and field readings from open water and shore locations at specified locations on the lakes using quality assured sampling methods to ensure the samples are representative of the water body being sampled.
Dedicated samples bottles are used for various analysis including physio-chemical, ions, metals, chlorophyll and phytoplankton and sent to various EPA and County Council laboratories for analysis.
Field measurements of temperature and dissolved oxygen profiling are undertaken at specified locations at certain times of year to examine potential thermal stratification over the depth of the lake.
Verde adhere to procedures of decontamination of boats and sampling equipment between lakes to prevent the potential for the spread of non-invasive species such as Zebra mussels and Crayfish plague.
Verde samplers obtain water quality samples and field readings from open water and shore locations at specified locations on the lakes using quality assured sampling methods to ensure the samples are representative of the water body being sampled.
Dedicated samples bottles are used for various analysis including physio-chemical, ions, metals, chlorophyll and phytoplankton and sent to various EPA and County Council laboratories for analysis.
Field measurements of temperature and dissolved oxygen profiling are undertaken at specified locations at certain times of year to examine potential thermal stratification over the depth of the lake.
Verde adhere to procedures of decontamination of boats and sampling equipment between lakes to prevent the potential for the spread of non-invasive species such as Zebra mussels and Crayfish plague.
What is monitored?
Each lake is monitored for a range of different plants and animals, including:
- phytoplankton (tiny, free-floating plants)
- diatoms (type of algae)
- aquatic plants
- invertebrates
- fish (monitored by Inland Fisheries Ireland)
The lakes are also monitored for chemical and physical parameters. The chemical and physical parameters measured include:
- nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus
- dissolved oxygen
- temperature
- water clarity
- cloudiness
- colour
The plants and animals are monitored once every three years while the physical and chemical parameters are measured several times a year. Changes are also recorded like:
- any change in the physical structure of the lake shore
- changes in lake water level
- changes in how much water is flowing in to or out of the lake