CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL SITE, CO. GALWAY BIOLOGICAL

CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL SITE, CO. GALWAY

BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY

November 2017

REPORT PREPARED FOR FITZ SCIENTIFIC

by

Bill Quirke BSc, MSc, MCIEEM

Helena Twomey BA(Mod), PhD

Conservation Services, Tullaha, Glenflesk, Killarney, Co. Kerry Tel/Fax 064 6630130 e-mail [email protected]

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Client: Fitz Scientific

Project Carrowbrowne Landfill Site, Co. Galway. Biological monitoring of surface water quality. November 2017

Report No: 17110/F

Date 28/11/2017

Status Final

Prepared by Helena Twomey BA(Mod), PhD

Reviewed by Bill Quirke BSc, MSc, MCIEEM

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CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 4 2 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 5

2.1 SITE LOCATIONS ............................................................................... 5 2.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT .................................................................... 5

2.3 INVERTEBRATE SAMPLING AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................. 6

3 RESULTS ................................................................................................... 8

3.1 SITE G22S ........................................................................................... 8 3.2 SITE G24S ........................................................................................... 9 3.3 SITE G12S ......................................................................................... 10

4 SUMMARY OF MONITORING RESULTS 2004-2017 ............................. 11 5 CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................ 12

6 REFERENCES ......................................................................................... 13

APPENDIX 1 HABITAT AT SAMPLING SITES

APPENDIX 2 CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL GAS WELLS AND

MANIFOLDS SURVEYED MAY 2014 – WORKING DRAWING

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1 INTRODUCTION

As part of the monitoring of water quality in the vicinity of Carrowbrowne Landfill

Site, Conservation Services, Ecological & Environmental Consultants have

been commissioned by Fitz Scientific to carry out biological sampling and water

quality assessment in accordance with EPA Q-rating methodology at three

locations adjacent to the landfill site. Sampling was previously carried out at

these sites by Conservation Services in September 2016 (Conservation

Services 2016).

Sampling was carried out on 8th November 2017.

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2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 SITE LOCATIONS

Biological sampling and water quality assessment was carried out at the

following sites. Grid references were recorded at all sites using a GPS.

SITE GRID REFERENCE (GPS) LOCATION

G22S M 32615 31624 Upstream of landfill

G24S M 32067 31665 Downstream of landfill

G12S M 32206 31159 Adjacent to landfill

The location of the sites is shown on Map 1.

2.2 HABITAT ASSESSMENT

Habitat assessment was carried out at each of the three sites selected for

invertebrate/water quality assessment. These sites were assessed in terms of:

Stream width and depth

Substrate type, listing substrate fractions in order of dominance, i.e. large

rocks, cobble, gravel, sand, mud etc.

Flow type, listing percentage of riffle, glide and pool in the sampling area

Instream vegetation, listing plant species occurring and their percentage

coverage of the stream bottom at the sampling site

Dominant bankside vegetation, listing the main species overhanging the

stream

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Estimated summer cover by bankside vegetation, giving percentage shade

of the sampling site

Rating of the site as habitat for trout adult, nursery and spawning on a scale

of Poor/Fair/Good/Very Good/Excellent. This rating assesses the physical

suitability of the habitat; the presence/absence/density of salmonids at the

site will also depend on present and historical water quality and accessibility

of the site to fish.

2.3 INVERTEBRATE SAMPLING AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT

Samples were taken using a long handled pond net, using standard sampling

methodology employed by EPA at deeper sites. The sample was retained in a

large plastic bag at the sampling site. Sample processing and preservation was

carried out under laboratory conditions within 24 hours of sampling. Mud was

removed from the sample by sieving under running water through a 500μ sieve.

The sieved sample was then live sorted for 30 minutes in a white plastic sorting

tray under a bench lamp (ISO 5667-3:1994) and if necessary using a

magnifying lens. Macroinvertebrates were stored in 70% alcohol. Preserved

invertebrates were identified to the level required for the EPA Q-rating method

(McGarrigle et al, 2002) using high-power and low-power binocular microscopes

when necessary. The preserved sample was archived for future examination or

verification. Based on the relative abundance of indicator species, a biotic index

(Q-rating) was determined for the site in accordance with the biological

assessment procedure used by the Environmental Protection Agency

(McGarrigle et al, 2002) and more detailed unpublished methodology

(McGarrigle, Clabby and Lucey pers. comm.)

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Biotic Index

Water Framework Directive Ecological Quality

Quality Status

Q5 High

Unpolluted Waters Q4-5 High

Q4 Good

Q3-4 Moderate Slightly Polluted Waters

Q3 Poor Moderately Polluted Waters

Q2-3 Poor

Q2 Bad Seriously Polluted Waters

Q1-2 Bad

Q1 Bad

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MAP 1 LOCATION OF BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT SITES (APPROX. LOCATION OF DRAINS SHOWN IN GREEN)

LANDFILL

COMPOSTING AREA

G24S G22S

G12S

Direction of flow

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3 RESULTS

3.1 SITE G22S

This site consists of a large drain; conditions were not optimal for the Q-rating

methodology and the Q-rating assessment is therefore tentative. The

invertebrate community tabulated below merits a tentative Q-rating of Q2

indicating seriously polluted conditions and Bad ecological quality. The

introduced North American snail species Menetus dilatatus, which appears to

be tolerant of anaerobic conditions (Kerney, 1999), was recorded at this site.

INDICATOR GROUP TAXON 2017

Group A - Very Pollution Sensitive

None recorded

Group B - Moderately Pollution Sensitive

None recorded

Group C - Moderately Pollution Tolerant

Bithynia tentaculata 2

Chironomidae (excl. Chironomus sp.)

21

Group D - Pollution Tolerant Erpobdellidae 2

Glossiphonia sp. 1

Helobdella stagnalis 1

Sphaeriidae 4

Asellus aquaticus 9

Crangonyx pseudogracilis 25

Sialis sp. 1

Group E - Highly Pollution Tolerant

Chironomus sp. 90

Not assigned to an indicator group

Lumbricidae 1

Menetus dilatatus 16

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3.2 SITE G24S

This site consists of a large drain with no perceptible flow at the time of

sampling; conditions were therefore not optimal for the Q-rating methodology

and the Q-rating assessment is therefore tentative. The invertebrate community

tabulated below merits a tentative Q-rating of Q2 indicating seriously polluted

conditions and Bad ecological quality.



None recorded


None recorded


Chironomidae 2

Group D - Pollution Tolerant Sphaeriidae 1

Asellus aquaticus 67

Crangonyx pseudogracilis 57


Tubificidae 2

Chironomus sp. 3

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3.3 SITE G12S

This site consists of a large drain with no perceptible flow at the time of

sampling. Invertebrates were entirely absent in the sample taken at the site; it is

therefore not possible to assign a Q-rating, but the absence of invertebrates is

indicative of toxic conditions.



None recorded 0


None recorded 0


None recorded 0

Group D - Pollution Tolerant None recorded 0


None recorded 0

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4 SUMMARY OF MONITORING RESULTS 2004-2017

Results are summarised in the table below, and shown on Map 2.

Upstream of

Landfill Downstream of

Landfill Adjacent to

Landfill

G22S G24S G12S

2004 Q2/0 Q2/0 Q1-2

2005 Q2/0 Q2/0 Q1

2006 Q1-2/0 Q1-2 Q1-2

2007 Q1-2 Q1-2/0 Q1

2008 Q1-2/0 Q2 Q1-2

2014 Q3 Q2-3/0 No invertebrates

recorded

2015 Q2-3 Q2 Q1-2

2016 Q2 Q2 Q1-2/0

2017 Q2 Q2 No invertebrates

recorded

Quality Status Seriously Polluted

Seriously Polluted

Absence of invertebrates

indicative of toxic conditions

Water Framework

Directive Ecological

Quality

Bad Bad

Absence of invertebrates

indicative of toxic conditions

N.B. Due to sub-optimal conditions for Q-rating all Q-values are tentative.

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LANDFILL

COMPOSTING AREA

2 2

MAP 2 Q-RATINGS AT BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT SITES

Toxic conditions

indicated by absence of

invertebrates

Direction of flow

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5 CONCLUSIONS

The watercourses assessed are sub-optimal for EPA Q-rating method. At the

time of sampling all of the sites assessed had imperceptible flow. Whereas the

invertebrate community reflects water quality even under such conditions, the

Q-ratings calculated for all sites are strictly tentative.

Northern Watercourse

Biological assessment indicated seriously polluted conditions both upstream

and downstream of the landfill.

Drain apparently connected to Southern Watercourse

Biological assessment at Site G12S immediately adjacent to the landfill

indicated toxic conditions; invertebrates were entirely absent in the sample

taken at this site.

Signed on behalf of Conservation Services

Helena Twomey BA(Mod.) PhD

28 November 2017

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6 REFERENCES

Conservation Services (2016) Carrowbrowne landfill site, County Galway -

Biological monitoring of surface water quality. Unpublished report to Fitz

Scientific

Kerney, M. (1999) Atlas of the land and freshwater molluscs of Britain and

Ireland. Harley Books.

McGarrigle, M. et al (2002) Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000. EPA.

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APPENDIX 1

HABITAT ASSESSMENT AT SAMPLING SITES

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Site Code G22S

Site Location Upstream of landfill

Grid Reference M 32615 31624

Site Photograph

Width (m) c.8

Depth (cm) c.100

Substrate (order of dominance)

Mud

Flow Type Glide 100% (No flow visible)

Instream Vegetation Lemna minuta 95%; Lemna minor <1%; Lemna trisulca <1%; Apium nodiflorum 5%

Dominant Bankside Vegetation

Grass, Phragmites, Bramble

Estimated Summer Cover of Stream by Bankside Vegetation

Low

Trout Adult Habitat None

Trout Nursery Habitat None

Trout Spawning Habitat None

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Site Code G24S

Site Location Downstream of landfill (Access just u/s road; sample taken at u/s end culvert)


Site Photograph

Width (m) 6

Depth (cm) 130


Mud


Instream Vegetation Lemna minuta/Lemna minor 60% Phragmites australis 10%


Phragmites, Bramble


85%




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Site Code G12S

Site Location Adjacent to landfill


Site Photograph

Width (m) 10-15

Depth (cm) c.45


Mud


Instream Vegetation Lemna minuta 100%; Lemna minor <1%; Phragmites australis 5%


Phragmites, Bramble, Rush, Gorse, Willow


Low




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APPENDIX 2

CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL GAS WELLS AND MANIFOLDS SURVEYED

MAY 2014 – WORKING DRAWING

Drawing provided by Galway City Council

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0 5

Metres (m)

10 15 20

Scale Bar

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Documents

CARROWBROWNE LANDFILL SITE, CO. GALWAY BIOLOGICAL