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Impact of agriculture on surface water in Ireland Part II. Prospects for the future

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Environmental Geology and Water Sciences

Abstract

Agricultural activity is estimated to be responsible for only 6% (8 km) of the total length (135 km) of seriously polluted river channel, but for over 30% (294 km) of the slightly or moderately polluted length (963 km) of channel recorded to date in the state. This article examines the present sources and causes of pollution from agricultural wastes, and speculates on the likely direction of future trends.

The most common sources of surface water pollution are animal manures, silage effluent, runoff from land following spreading, and fertilizers.

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References Cited

  • Boyle, G. E., and B. Kearney, 1983, Intensification in agriculture—trends and prospects.In, John Blackwell and Frank J. Convery, eds. Promise and performance—Irish environmental policies analysed: p. 77–102.

  • EEC Publication No. 51, 1978, The spreading of animal excrement on utilised agricultural areas of the Community.

  • McCumiskey, L. M., 1981, A review of Ireland's water resources—rivers and lakes. Ir. J. Environ. Sci., 1, 1–13.

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  • Murphy, W. E., and W. F. O'Keeffe, 1984, Fertiliser use survey 1981–1982.In Proceedings of Fertiliser Association of Ireland, Winter 1983 Meeting.

  • Sherwood, M., 1984, Pollution aspects of farm wastes.In Proceedings of Fertiliser Association of Ireland, Winter 1983 Meeting.

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Sherwood, M. Impact of agriculture on surface water in Ireland Part II. Prospects for the future. Environ. Geol. Water Sci 9, 11–14 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02439881

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02439881

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