This major collaborative research project includes staff from the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences and Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences working with ADAS, CEH-Wallingford and Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL). The research aims to explore the impacts of fine sediment derived from different land sources on the incubation of UK freshwater fish species. As part of this research, ADAS has funded the construction of a set of mesocosms that can be used to simulate the spawning environment of a range of fish species. The Spawning Habitat Research Facility (SHReF) consists of a recirculating system of tanks in which the rates of flow, temperature, treatment (sediment load/source) and water quality can all be controlled. To date experiments have been undertaken on brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Sediment is introduced into the egg zone and the mortality of the eggs and fitness of the alevins are quantified in relation to the different levels and sources of silt and clay. Sources comparisons have been made between river bank, road verge, agricultural fields and STW final treatment effluent.

The project also includes the development of the SIDO-UK (Sediment Intrusion and Dissolved Oxygen – UK) model to accommodate improvements in the representation of other fish species including grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and lamprey (Lampetra spp. and Petromyzon marinus). The model will also be modified to improve the representation of bed scour. The model will be coupled to a channel sediment and water routing model (HECRAS) which in turn will be coupled to the ADAS PSYCHIC sediment delivery model. This will provide a tool which will able to simulate the impacts of agricultural land management on fish embryo survival. Additional work on the project includes field calibration of the SIDO-UK model for streams draining granite and sandstone/limestone catchments of northern England, to compliment existing calibrations for slates, chalk and Tertiary sands and clays.

DEFRA funded project WQO128

People: 

Prof. David Sear

Prof. Paul Kemp