Title: An audit of performance in the primary analysis of standard biological macro-invertebrate samples in 2002 : The Environment Agency (CEH Report Ref: C00158/31)
Author: R.J.M. Gunn
Author: J.H. Blackburn
Author: N.T. Kneebone
Author: J.F. Murphy
Author: J.M. Winder
Author: J. Davy-Bowker
Author: H.M. Vincent
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
This report focuses on the biological monitoring of rivers that was undertaken in 2002 by the Environment Agency (The Agency) in England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland, the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) in Northern Ireland and the Government Laboratory in the Isle of Man. The collection of standard macro-invertebrate samples and their analysis to the level required for the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) system is the most widely used biological technique for evaluating river quality in the water industry in the United Kingdom. Used with the computer model RIVPACS (River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System) developed by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), they are the basis for the Agency's biological classification of water quality. This is used for national General Quality Assessment (GQA) river quality surveys and one of the governments Headline Indicators of environmental quality, as well as for purely operational purposes including Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies, drought orders and drought permits, and determining appropriate discharge consents. These samples are also used for assessing pollution and setting priorities for capital investment.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Publication Date: 2003
Publication Place: Bristol
Subject Keywords: Rivers; Water quality; Methodology; Macroinvertebrates; Quality controls; Auditing
Geographic Keywords: England; Wales
Extent: 74; + appendices
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:1628
Total file downloads: 348
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