The role of blanket peat moorland management in the generation and amelioration of discolouration of surface water supplies

Discolouration of surface waters in upland catchments (with associated costs of water treatment and resources) has increased particularly since the severe droughts in the 1970s and mid 1990s. Such discolouration is a major concern for many water companies whose catchment areas include upland moorland, particularly those areas located on deep blanket peat soils. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the role of catchment management in the production of discoloured surface runoff and DOC flux from catchments used as gathering grounds for public water supply. The investigation focused on blanket peat moorlands in the Ladybower catchment from which water is treated at Bamford Treatment Works. Whilst other workers have considered management techniques for water colour amelioration at laboratory and plot scale, no previous study had evaluated the impact of these approaches at a catchment scale with a sufficient degree of experimental control. Baseline relationships between meteorological inputs and hydrological responses were established during a calibration period prior to intervention in management. Six catchments were instrumented and the relationships between water discolouration and hydrological and land management characteristics were identified. Suitable pairings of catchments were determined with similar characteristics. One catchment was then treated to a management practice, whilst the management on another was not affected. It was then possible to assess the impact of management on the treated catchment in comparison with the untreated catchment.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• O'Brien, H

Language dc:language

en