An examination of temporal and spatial water quality variations in lakes, with emphasis on the limnology and palaeolimnology of Lough Currane, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Abstract

An aim of the WFD is that all waters achieve good water status by 2015 and includes the chemical and ecological status of rivers, lakes, groundwater estuarine and coastal waters. If member states of the EU are to meet the requirements of the WFD, good evidence-based understanding of the linkages between pollutant sources and their specific ecological impacts is needed. Within lakes, a number of factors can influence the extent of nutrient ennchment. These factors include individual catchment characteristics, sources of nutrients, pathways of nutrient transfer and the physical structure of a lake. Separating different anthropogenic signals in the palaeolimnological record from each other and from natural and climatically induced variations is difficult, but is necessary if palaeolimnological approaches are to be used to assist in interventions aimed at mitigating against further ecosystem deterioration. In addition, establishing the variability of both the pressure (nutrient enrichment) and the effects both spatially within a lake and temporally is important to understanding the ranges of responses within a lake to eutrophication.