Publications
1st February 2013
Impact of riparian invasive non-native plant species on freshwater habitats and species
This short report summarises the documented impacts of riparian invasive non-native plant species Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum and its hybrids), Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens grandulifera), and Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) on freshwater...
1st January 2013
The use of alum sludge and sewage sludge as a soil improver on Barra
A key guiding principle is that the use of organic wastes as a fertiliser should only be used on land that would normally be fertilised as part of its management regime otherwise it becomes a waste disposal route rather than a beneficial recycling activity. This is paramount to both the external...
1st December 2012
Blue Health: Water, Health & Well-being – Salutogenic Benefits
This research builds on the current evidence base showing a salutogentic (i.e. health improving) benefit of green space (termed “green health”). Based on this evidence we posited that water settings (blue space) should hold similar health benefits, i.e. offer opportunities for increased physical...
1st December 2012
Blue Health: Water, Health & Well-being – Sustainable Drainage Systems
There is increasing interest in exploring the health and well-being impacts of water in the environment (blue health), including the potential of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) to enhance amenity for residents. Blue health research is relatively new, and the purpose of this project was to...
1st December 2012
Blue Health: Water, Health & Well-being – Flood Risk, Mental Health & Well-being
Qualitative studies on health and social impacts of flooding show that flood disasters, and associated experiences, can have severe and long-lasting social and health impacts, with emotional and psychological impacts often being more severe and longer lasting (e.g. 4 years) than physical damage to...
1st December 2012
Blue Health: Water, Health & Well-being
This research reviews the evidence base for both positive and negative relationships between water in the landscape, health and well-being (termed blue health). Water is important for human health, both physiologically and psychologically; however, much of the research on blue health has focused on...
1st November 2012
Fate of terrestrial carbon in the Scottish coastal environment
Each year approximately 400 - 430 x 1012g of terrestrial organic carbon is transported from the continents via rivers to the global ocean. Yet it is estimated that only a very small fraction of the organic carbon dissolved in the ocean, or preserved in underlying sediments, seem to be of...
1st October 2012
Investigation of the relationship between humic substances and total phosphorus and the processes of release from catchment soils to loch waters
This study outlines proposals to clarify the importance of water colour (in terms of dissolved organic matter - DOM - compositional quality, e.g. humic substances (HS) content) for predicting TP concentrations in Scottish Lochs to help meet regulatory criteria under the Water Framework Directive....
1st October 2012
The effects of switching monochloramine for chlorine in disinfection
This work was commissioned under the CREW call down service. The object of the project was to carry out a literature search on the effects of switching from chlorine to monochloramine for water disinfection, specifically with regards to the effects on lead and copper corrosion. Information was...
1st October 2012
Natural Flood Management and Local Authorities in Scotland
Under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, SEPA is responsible for assessing where natural flood management measures (NFM) could contribute to reducing flood risk and detailing this in flood risk management strategies. Local authorities then have responsibility for identifying how these...
