An Assessment of Water Quality Data from Kilkieran Bay, Co. Galway

A programme monitoring water quality was carried out at 11 sites in Kilkieran Bay, Co. Galway from 1984 to the 1998, for the most part. Continuous monthly readings were recorded at 5 of these sites. Three sites were sampled for temperature, salinity, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate. Three replicate samples were taken at each sampling event. While salinity remained relatively stable throughout, temperature varied considerably between winter and summer months (e.g. Lettercallow, 3.5-18.5ºC), at each of the sites. Nutrient levels were highest in winter months at all sites. The innermost sites tended to have lower salinities and lower nutrient levels. However, there were no statistical differences in nutrient levels among the sites and from year to year. These findings suggest that there was no appreciable increase (or decrease) in nutrient loading within Kilkieran Bay. It is recommended that sampling within the bay is defined according to the broad geographic regions outlined and that intensive sampling was not necessary.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10793/219

Citation

O'Donohoe, G., Hensey, M. & O'Connor, B., "An Assessment of Water Quality Data from Kilkieran Bay, Co. Galway", Marine Environment and Health Series No. 1, Marine Institute 2000