Nitrate Loading in Galway Canals: Challenges in Meeting Water Framework Directive Standards

As the planet changes to a more urbanised landscape, it is predicted that 60% of the world’s population will reside within cities by the year 2030. With the increase of urbanisation, also comes a greater risk of pollution entering urban waterways. Surface waters such as rivers, canals and lakes are considered productive ecosystems with unique communities of species which are imperative for biodiversity and conservation. Seasonal and anthropogenic processes on aquatic environments impact the ecological function of surface waters, as classified by the ‘Good Ecological Status’ system enacted through the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).

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