Resources
This method statement describes how to determine the WFD class boundary values for the supporting element phosphorus in lakes.
The alarm list contains species thought to pose a risk to surface waters and their ecological status under the EC Water Framework Directive, but whose presence has not yet been recorded in Great Britain.
Phytobenthos are good indicators of nutrient enrichment and can be used to assess lake water quality. Diatoms are the main plant groups that we use because their silica cell walls make them easy to identify under the microscope.
This method statement provides guidance on the use of the metal bioavailability assessment tool (M-BAT) for practitioners involved in monitoring, assessment and classification using the new EQSbioavailable that have been developed for a number of metals under the Water F
This method statement describes a system for assessing and classifying surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal) based on the presence of high impact alien species.
Macrophytes provide habitats for fish and smaller animals; they bind sediments, protect banks, absorb nutrients and provide oxygenation. Macrophytes can indicate the impact of increased nutrients in lakes and are also influenced by other pressures such as water level change or acidification.
Phytoplankton form the base of many food webs in lakes. This method uses the principle that an increase in nutrients (particularly phosphorus) leads to an increase in phytoplankton biomass and a change in the taxonomic composition, often leading to an increased occurrence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
A Nickel Bioavailability Tool (NiBAT) has been developed that simplifies the integrated NiBLM (Biotic Ligand Model) but runs in MS Excel. It requires data input for site-specific dissolved organic carbon, pH and calcium.
The Final Recommendations on Environmental Standards following phase 3 of the review have been published (November 2013). This report includes zinc standards.
Following a consultation that ended on 28th February 2013, UKTAG has finalised its recommendations on 1) biological standards for rivers, lakes, coastal and estuaries and 2) phosphorus standards for rivers.