DOCSLIB.ORG

Groundwater in the Celtic Regions

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Groundwater in the Celtic Regions Downloaded from http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 27, 2021 Groundwater in the Celtic regions N. S. ROBINS 1 & B. D. R. MISSTEAR 2 1British Geological Survey, Maclean Building, Wallingford, Oxjordshire OXIO 8BB, UK 2 Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland Abstract: The Celtic regions of Britain and Ireland have a complex and diverse geology which supports a range of regionally and locally important bedrock aquifers and uncon- solidated Quaternary aquifers. In bedrock, aquifer units are often small and groundwater flow paths short and largely reliant on fracture flow. Groundwater has fulfilled an important social role throughout history, and is now enjoying renewed interest. Groundwater quality is generally favourable and suitable for drinking with minimal treatment. However, many wells are vulnerable to microbiological and chemical pollutants from point sources such as farmyards and septic tank systems, and nitrate concentrations from diffuse agricultural sources are causing concern in certain areas. Contamination by rising minewaters in abandoned coalfields and in the vicinity of abandoned metal mines is also a problem in some of the Celtic lands. At the close of the Hallstatt period the Celts soils. Land use includes grassland characteristic occupied much of central and western Europe, of much of lowland Ireland, upland pastoral and Britain and Ireland were home to the Gaels, farming typical of much of central Wales and the Picts and the Britons. Nowadays, the land of arable cultivation in eastern Scotland. Forestry the Britons is divided between England and is also extensive. Many lowland coastal areas Wales, and the Celtic regions are considered support the highest population density as well as principally as Wales, south-west England (the traditional heavy industry, manufacturing and Cornish peninsula), Northumbria, Scotland and service industry, and mining has left its impact Ireland. Celtic regions have become those areas over the Midland Valley of Scotland, South farthest from continental Europe and the English Wales, south-west England and parts of central capital. History has repeatedly demonstrated and eastern Ireland. that the people of the Celtic regions share an Up and until now the main focus in hydro- independence of outlook which in Britain has geology has been groundwater development recently been reflected in political devolution. and resources evaluation. These activities pre- But as well as similarities in the aspirations, occupied hydrogeologists throughout the 1980s history and culture of the different Celtic peoples, and early 1990s, but since then the empha- there is a common thread through many of the sis has moved towards environmental aspects hydrogeological and associated environmental of groundwater. Of particular importance are issues affecting the Celtic regions. groundwater protection against pollution and The Celtic regions enjoy a maritime temperate the interrelationship between groundwater and climate with orographic rainfall over upland or surface water, especially in sensitive wetland hilly terrain on the western margins. Apart from habitats. these characteristic upland areas there are a A number of specific technical issues are number of broad tracts of lowland. The geology pertinent to the Celtic regions. These include: of these lands is diverse and complex, with ages and lithologies ranging from Precambrian gran- (a) recharge is difficult to quantify, more so ite and metasediments, through Palaeozoic lime- where Quaternary deposits are present; stone, Permo-Triassic sandstone and Cretaceous (b) the hydrogeological characteristics of gla- Chalk, to Palaeogene volcanic rocks (Fig. 1). cial tills require detailed research, especially Drift geology includes a widespread blanket the role of bypass flow; mantle of till as well as a range of coarser (c) hydrogeological processes in peat are little granular Quaternary deposits. Above this the understood (e.g. 14% of Scotland is cov- variety of soil types include peat, gley and sandy ered by I na or more thickness of peat); From: ROBINS, N. S. 8,: MISSTEAR, B. D. R. (eds) Groundwater in the Celtic Regions: Studies in Hard Rock and QuaternaJT Hydrogeology. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 182, 5-17. 1-86239-077-0/00/$15.00 @ The Geological Society of London 2000. Downloaded from http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 27, 2021 6 N. S. ROBINS & B. D. R. MISSTEAR • . .... .. : -.. -~. :.- -..-. 0 100 k,m ': ..::2.:.'.:i"..: ,... :."~ i , p ~,-:.'.-.-" .- :" .....' . "':i z¢ ...:...-.... ~i~ ' Cretaceous and Palaeogene Permian and Triassic Devonian and Carboniferous ~ Ordovician and older strata; Igneous rocks Fig. 1. Broad geological/hydrogeological groups in the Celtic regions. (d) fracture flow of groundwater predomi- (f) minewater discharges in the shallow and nates, and is difficult to replicate by mod- surface environment require evaluation and elling; remediation; (e) karst hydrogeology involves complex inter- (g) valley bottom hydrology/hydrogeology is actions with surface water, and requires poorly understood, particularly in upland intensive study; catchments; Downloaded from http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 27, 2021 GROUNDWATER IN THE CELTIC REGIONS 7 (h) local groundwater quality is often affected by point sources of pollution such as septic ~i~ i~ ~iiiiii~i)~ ~ ~ ~i I~ ~: ~ tank systems, and diffuse pollution from agriculture is also a threat to water quality in particular regions; (i) development of brownfield sites and con- taminated land has implications for groundwater quality. Groundwater and people Groundwater fulfils an important role through- out the Celtic lands in satisfying demand for water, both on a local and a national level. Groundwater is not generally considered as the mainstay of bulk public supplies in many areas, although its contribution to public supply is significant (Table 1). Exploitation for generally small volume private consumption, principally for domestic or farm use, is also very impor- tant, and larger volume uses for irrigation and industry are also surprisingly widespread. There are a number of reasons why ground- water supply is important even in areas facing the prevailing moisture-laden westerly winds, and blessed with abundant surface water resources. The reasons for this include: (a) the consistent and generally favourable quality of groundwater; (b) ready access to groundwater, at least in Fig. 2. Exploratory drilling for public water supply small volumes; on Arran. (c) economics of development and supply; (d) mainly licence-exempt development. and space for surface water gathering make These factors conspire to increase the impor- groundwater a preferred option (Fig. 2). Perhaps tance of groundwater for rural and island the greatest advantage of groundwater is that it is community supplies. Many peat-coloured village available at many, diverse locations, and it does supplies in upland regions, and other surface not need long and expensive pipe runs connect- water supplies of variable quality and associated ing source and consumer. treatment difficulties, are being replaced by small Poor aquifer characteristics in many areas, groundwater schemes targeted at village level. especially in the older bedrock formations, mean Groundwater is also valuable for island commu- that groundwater supplies are often relatively nity supply where insufficient catchment area small by comparison to groundwater schemes in Table 1. Estimates of groundwater in supply Groundwater as Volume of Estimated number Volume of water in a % of total groundwater in of private sources private supply public supply public supply (M1 d -1) (Mld -1) Scotland 5 l 10 20 000 110 N Ireland 10 77 1 500 31 Ireland 15 270 > 100 000 80 Wales 8 250 5 000 95 Northumbria 10 110 3 000 30 Cornwall 3 12 10 000 62 Downloaded from http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ by guest on September 27, 2021 8 N. S. ROBINS & B. D. R. MISSTEAR the Sherwood Sandstone and Chalk aquifers of This burgeoning industry plays on the image central and southern England. However, there of green and pleasant lands to sell untreated are a very large number of wells in the Celtic bottled groundwater at prices that currently lands. Although it is not possible to give an exceed those of petrol, volume for volume. How- exact number, one estimate is that there are ever, not all bottlers are situated in such pris- more than 200 000 wells in Ireland alone (Wright tine environments as consumers might imagine. 1999). In addition to wells, groundwater supplies Some draw from shallow alluvial sources at risk are obtained from springs, infiltration galleries to pollution by local farming activity, whilst and Ranney wells (Jones & Singleton this others draw from sandstone aquifers adjacent volume). Some of the springs have very large to rivers of periodically indifferent quality and flows e.g. the Schwyll spring in South Wales has of undefined hydraulic connectivity with the an average flow of 3901s -1 (Hobbs this volume) groundwater. and the Pouladower spring in County Clare in western Ireland has mean flows of between 115 and 720 ls -1 (Deakin this volume). Groundwater and the environment The traditional social importance of ground- water sources is illustrated by the naming of Groundwater is a key to many environmental certain springs and wells after saints. This issues in the Celtic regions. Its role in maintain- practice conferred some
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Constitution, Office-Bearers, List of Members, and Secretary's and Treasurer's Annual Reports
    APS-t-Cf/.l+O CLAN MACKAY SOCIETY CONSTITUTION, OFFICE-BEARERS, LIST OF MEMBERS, AND SECRETARY'S AND TREASURER'S ANNUAL REPORTS, FOR SESSION 1896-97. INSTITUTED 188 8. G L AS G O W : ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR, PRINTER, 47 WATERLOO STREET. SIR DONALD JAMES MACKAY, LORD REAY, Chief of the Clan. Q* CLAN MACKAY SOCIETY. OFFICE-BEARERS FOR SESSION 1897-98. CWef. The Right Honourable Sir Donald James Mackay, Lord Reay, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., D.C.L. CblCftam (A brack Branch). Rev. James Aberigh-Mackay, D.D. lPvcsioent. Sir James L. Mackay, K.C.I. E., London. lhce=lpiTsioents. R. Mackay, Edinburgh. Alex. Mackay, Glasgow. James | John Mackay, S.S.C., Edinburgh. George Mackay, Glasgow. James H. Mackay, London. Charles Mackay, Ardrossan. Secretavv. John Mackay, 9 Blythswood Drive, Glasgow. Assistant—John Mackay, 120 Wellpark Terrace. assistant Secretary. Alexander Ross Mackay, 10 Graham Street, Lauriston, Edinburgh. Assistant—Alex. C. Mackay, 47 Admiralty Street, Leith. Uveasurev. James R. Mackay, C.A., 143 West Regent Street, Glasgow. Councillors. GLASGOW. GLASGOW—Continued. Donald M. Mackay, 65 Kelvindale Angus Mackay, 80 Watt Street. Street. Daniel Mackay, iS Cadogan Street. John Mackay, 120 Wellpark Terrace. Eric A. Mackay, 10 Hamilton Park Angus Mackay, 418 St. George's Rd. Terrace, W. John Mackay, 255 Langside Road. EDINBURGH. Inspector John Mackay, 16 Radnor Donald B. Mackay, 22 Thistle Street. Street. Hugh Mackay, M.A., 13 Stanhope Lieut. Murdoch Mackay, Maryhill. Place. Charles Mackay, 263 Buchanan St. Alex. Mackay, LL.D., Educational Charles Mackay, 74 Main Street, News. Bridgeton. George Mackay, M.D., 20 Drum- Alex.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Cattle Access to Watercourses
    Report No. 260 Impact of Cattle Access to Watercourses: Literature Review on Behalf of the COSAINT Project Authors: Paul O’Callaghan, Mary Kelly-Quinn, Eleanor Jennings, Patricia Antunes, Matt O’Sullivan, Owen Fenton and Daire Ó hUallacháin www.epa.ie ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting on the The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for Environment protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air for for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people Europe (CAFÉ) Directive. and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and • Independent reporting to inform decision making by national pollution. and local government (e.g. periodic reporting on the State of Ireland’s Environment and Indicator Reports). The work of the EPA can be divided into three main areas: Regulating Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Preparing Ireland’s greenhouse gas inventories and projections. Regulation: We implement effective regulation and environmental • Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive, for over 100 of compliance systems to deliver good environmental outcomes and the largest producers of carbon dioxide in Ireland. target those who don’t comply. Knowledge: We provide high quality, targeted and timely Environmental Research and Development environmental data, information and assessment to inform • Funding environmental research to identify pressures, inform decision making at all levels. policy and provide solutions in the areas of climate, water and sustainability. Advocacy: We work with others to advocate for a clean, productive and well protected environment and for sustainable Strategic Environmental Assessment environmental behaviour. • Assessing the impact of proposed plans and programmes on the Irish environment (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • IRELAND New Developments, Trends and In-Depth Information on Selected Issues
    2006 NATIONAL REPORT (2005 Data) TO THE EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point IRELAND New Developments, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues REITOX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report is very much the result of collaborative work within and outside the Drug Misuse Research Division. We would like to thank very sincerely those people working in the drugs area who gave generously of their time to inform us about recent developments in their areas of work. It is not possible to name all these people but the agencies with which they are affiliated are acknowledged as follows: An Garda Síochána Central Treatment List Coroner Service Customs Drug Law Enforcement of the Revenue Commissioners Department of Health and Children Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Department of Social and Family Affairs Department of Education and Science Garda National Drugs Unit Forensic Science Laboratory Health Service Executive Health Protection Surveillance Centre Addiction service managers, drug treatment facilities and general practitioners General Mortality Register Voluntary and community groups and academic researchers. We would specially like to thank the following: Mr Eddie Arthurs, Dr Joe Barry, Mr Mel Bay, Ms Deirdre Begley, Ms Carmel Brien, Ms Joan Byrne, Ms Caroline Comar, Mr Michael Conroy, Ms Caroline Corr, Dr Des Corrigan, Mr Niall Cullen, Ms Aoife Davey, Ms Aileen Dooley, Ms Cepta Dowling, Dr Brian Farrell, Ms Mary Johnston, Ms Kerry Lawless, Mr Joseph Keating, Dr Eamon
    [Show full text]
  • The Emergence of the Cumbrian Kingdom
    The emergence and transformation of medieval Cumbria The Cumbrian kingdom is one of the more shadowy polities of early medieval northern Britain.1 Our understanding of the kingdom’s history is hampered by the patchiness of the source material, and the few texts that shed light on the region have proved difficult to interpret. A particular point of debate is the interpretation of the terms ‘Strathclyde’ and ‘Cumbria’, a matter that has periodically drawn comment since the 1960s. Some scholars propose that the terms were applied interchangeably to the same polity, which stretched from Clydesdale to the Lake District. Others argue that the terms applied to different territories: Strathclyde was focused on the Clyde Valley whereas Cumbria/Cumberland was located to the south of the Solway. The debate has significant implications for our understanding of the extent of the kingdom(s) of Strathclyde/Cumbria, which in turn affects our understanding of politics across tenth- and eleventh-century northern Britain. It is therefore worth revisiting the matter in this article, and I shall put forward an interpretation that escapes from the dichotomy that has influenced earlier scholarship. I shall argue that the polities known as ‘Strathclyde’ and ‘Cumbria’ were connected but not entirely synonymous: one evolved into the other. In my view, this terminological development was prompted by the expansion of the kingdom of Strathclyde beyond Clydesdale. This reassessment is timely because scholars have recently been considering the evolution of Cumbrian identity across a much longer time-period. In 1974 the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland were joined to Lancashire-North-of the-Sands and part of the West Riding of Yorkshire to create the larger county of Cumbria.
    [Show full text]
  • North Highlands, Inverness to Kyle
    It is advised all passengers check scotrail.co.uk or National Rail Enquiries for up to date travel information before travelling. north highlands A’ Ghàidhealtachd a Tuath Train times 16 May 2021 – 11 Dec 2021 Calling at: Dingwall, Kyle of Lochalsh, Thurso, Wick Welcome to your new train timetable Throughout the pandemic we have done everything we can to keep you moving. We are continuing to deliver a critical service to support the country, and help with the recovery. Enhanced cleaning of trains and stations is continuing, and Scotland’s Railway is safe for customers. When travelling, customers need to play their part, and follow our five rules for safer travel. This includes wearing a face covering for the entire journey, including at stations and on trains. Customers are reminded to buy in advance of travel via the ScotRail app, website, or station facilities to ensure waiting times are reduced and physical distancing supported. All customers must hold a valid ticket before boarding a train. Five rules for safer travel 07:00-09:00 16:00-18:30 Don’t travel Avoid these main Don’t board if you Cover your face and Be patient, if you feel unwell commuting times think it’s not safe maintain physical most seats need distancing to be empty 2 Receie lie service dates Next Departures Generally good service on this route View lie Glasgow Queen Street departures train times to Edinburgh (Waverley) 13:12 Platform 9 Edinburgh (Waverley) Load tickets to ScotRail your martcard 13:15 Platform 3 Edinburgh (Waverley) ScotRail 13:28 Platform 9 Edinburgh (Waverley) ScotRail 13:40 Platform 3 Edinburgh (Waverley) ScotRail 13:45 Platform 9 Che how Edinburgh (Waverley) Plan or orney ScotRail and u tickets bus a service is Sta in the now while ou’re on the go Download the ree cotRail ap and lan our ourne easily with all the information you need right at your fingertips.
    [Show full text]
  • Eu-Uk(Scotland): Report of Implementation Plan for Meeting Objectives of Nasco Resolutions, and Agreements
    Agenda item 7.2 For information COUNCIL CNL(06)31 EU-UK(SCOTLAND): REPORT OF IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR MEETING OBJECTIVES OF NASCO RESOLUTIONS, AND AGREEMENTS. CNL(06)31 EU-UK(SCOTLAND): REPORT OF IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR MEETING OBJECTIVES OF NASCO RESOLUTIONS, AND AGREEMENTS. 1 Introduction 1.1 This first report to NASCO on the development of an Implementation Plan for the management of Atlantic salmon and the fisheries dependent on salmon in Scotland is necessarily detailed. The first three sections of this report provide an overview of the current situation with regard to the status of Atlantic salmon, the fisheries that depend on them, and the management structures in place in Scotland in 2006. In section 4, details are given of how management is currently implemented and projections for future development of that management. 1.2 Aim To ensure sustainable fisheries for Atlantic salmon throughout Scotland. 1.3 The Resource Data presented for the NASCO Salmon Rivers Database indicate that there are: 363 rivers supporting salmon populations which are designated as not being threatened with loss. Many of the larger rivers support multiple populations. 5 rivers where salmon populations have been restored 1 river where salmon exist as a result of maintenance programmes 11 rivers where salmon are threatened with loss 2 rivers where salmon populations have been lost. A total of 17 rivers have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), 11 with salmon listed as a primary interest, under the EU Natura 2000 system. These rivers are: Tweed Tay South Esk Dee (Aberdeenshire) Spey Berriedale and Langwell Thurso Naver Little Gruinard Grimersta (Langavat) Bladnoch Endrick* Teith* Moriston* Oykell* Borgie* North Harris* 1 * - denotes rivers where Atlantic salmon are included as a species of interest, but where the site was not designated primarily for salmon.
    [Show full text]
  • 4, Excavations at Alt Gl
    Proc Soc Antiq Scot, (1990)0 12 , 95-149, fiche 2:A1-G14 Reconnaissance excavations on Early Historic fortification othed an s r royal site Scotlandn si , 1974-84 , Excavation:4 t GlutAl t ,sa Clyde Rock, Strathclyde, 1974-75 Leslie Alcock Elizabetd *an AlcockhA * SUMMARY As part of a long-term programme of research historically-documentedon fortifications, excava- tions were carried 1974-75in out Dumbartonat Castle, anciently knownClut Alt Clydeor as Rock. These disproved hypothesisthe that nucleara fort, afterpatternthe of Dunadd Dundurn,or couldbe identified on the Rock, but revealed a timber-and-rubble defence of Early Historic date overlooking the isthmus which links the Rock to the mainland. Finds of especial interest include the northernmost examples of imported Mediterranean amphorae of the sixth century AD, and fragments from at least six glass vessels ofgermanic manufacture. Discussion centres on early medieval harbour sites and trade in northern and western Britain. A detailed excavation record and finds catalogue will be found in the microfiche. CONTENTS EXCAVATION SYNTHESIS & DISCUSSION (illuS 1-19) Introduction: character of the excavation and report..................................... 96 Early history.......................................................................8 9 . Clyd setting...........................................................es it Roc d kan 9 9 . The excavation: structures and finds ................................................... 104 Synthesis: history, artefact structures& s ..............................................3
    [Show full text]
  • The Battle of Dunnichen, AD 685
    East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2002 The irsF t Battle for cottS ish Independence: The Battle of Dunnichen, A.D. 685. Julie Fox Parsons East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Parsons, Julie Fox, "The irF st Battle for cS ottish Independence: The aB ttle of Dunnichen, A.D. 685." (2002). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 657. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/657 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The First Battle for Scottish Independence: The Battle of Dunnichen, A.D. 685 __________________ A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of History East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History __________________ by Julie Fox Parsons May 2002 __________________ Dr. Ronnie M. Day, Chair Dr. William Douglas Burgess Dr. Colin Baxter Keywords: Scottish Independence, Northumbria, Bede ABSTRACT The First Battle for Scottish Independence: The Battle of Dunnichen, A.D. 685 by Julie Fox Parsons This study is an examination of the historiography of the ancient-medieval texts that record events related to the Northumbrian and the Pictish royal houses in the seventh century. The Picts, the Scots and the Celtic Britons fell into subjugation under the control of the expansionist Northumbrian kings and remained there for most of the seventh century.
    [Show full text]
  • The O and H Stable Isotope Composition of Freshwaters in the British Isles. 2. Surface Waters and Groundwater W
    The O and H stable isotope composition of freshwaters in the British Isles. 2. Surface waters and groundwater W. G. Darling, A. H. Bath, J. C. Talbot To cite this version: W. G. Darling, A. H. Bath, J. C. Talbot. The O and H stable isotope composition of freshwaters in the British Isles. 2. Surface waters and groundwater. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions, European Geosciences Union, 2003, 7 (2), pp.183-195. hal-00304768 HAL Id: hal-00304768 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00304768 Submitted on 1 Jan 2003 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Hydrology and EarthThe O System & H stable Sciences, isotopic 7(2), composition 183–195 of(2003) fresh waters © EGU in the British Isles. 2. Surface waters and groundwater The O & H stable isotopic composition of fresh waters in the British Isles. 2. Surface waters and groundwater W.G. Darling1, A.H. Bath2 and J.C. Talbot1 1British Geological Survey, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, UK 2Intellisci Ltd, Loughborough, LE12 6SZ, UK Email for corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract The utility of stable isotopes as tracers of the water molecule has a long pedigree.
    [Show full text]
  • An Examination of the Potential Costs of Universal Health Insurance in Ireland
    An Examination of the Potential Costs of Universal Health Insurance in Ireland Maev-Ann Wren, Sheelah Connolly, Nathan Cunningham RESEARCH SERIES NUMBER 45 Report prepared for the Department of Health by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) September 2015 Available to download from www.esri.ie © Economic and Social Research Institute and the Minister for Health, September 2015 ISBN 978-0-7070-0392-4 The ESRI The Economic Research Institute was founded in Dublin in 1960, with the assistance of a grant from the Ford Foundation of New York. In 1966 the remit of the Institute was expanded to include social research, resulting in the Institute being renamed the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). In 2010 the Institute entered into a strategic research alliance with Trinity College Dublin, while retaining its status as an independent research institute. The ESRI is governed by an independent Council which acts as the board of the Institute with responsibility for guaranteeing its independence and integrity. The Institute’s research strategy is determined by the Council in association with the Director and staff. The research agenda seeks to contribute to three overarching and interconnected goals, namely, economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability. The Institute’s research is disseminated through international and national peer reviewed journals and books, in reports and books published directly by the Institute itself and in the Institute’s working paper series. Researchers are responsible for the accuracy of their research. All ESRI books and reports are peer reviewed and these publications and the ESRI’s working papers can be downloaded from the ESRI website at www.esri.ie The Institute’s research is funded from a variety of sources including: an annual grant-in-aid from the Irish Government; competitive research grants (both Irish and international); support for agreed programmes from government departments/agencies and commissioned research projects from public sector bodies.
    [Show full text]
  • THE SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND ELECTRICITY BOARD AREA Regional and Local Electricity Systems in Britain
    DR. G.T. BLOOMFIELD Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph THE SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND ELECTRICITY BOARD AREA Regional and Local Electricity Systems in Britain 1 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2 The South West Scotland Electricity Board Area .......................................................................................... 2 Constituents of the South West Scotland Electricity Board ......................................................................... 3 Development of Electricity Supply Areas ...................................................................................................... 3 I Local Initiatives.................................................................................................................................. 6 II State Intervention ........................................................................................................................... 13 III Nationalisation ................................................................................................................................ 22 Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 26 Note on Sources .......................................................................................................................................... 27 AYR Mill Street was an early AC station
    [Show full text]
  • The Peatlands of Caithness & Sutherland
    The Peatlands of Caithness & Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY The Peatlands of Caithness & Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Contents # Foreword $ INTRODUCTION WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE PEATLANDS? $ # SO MANY TITLES % $ MANAGEMENT OF THE OPEN PEATLANDS AND ASSOCIATED LAND $ MANAGEMENT OF WOODLANDS IN AND AROUND THE PEATLANDS #$ % COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT #( ' SPREADING THE MESSAGE ABOUT THE PEATLANDS $ ( WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? $# Bibliography $$ Annex Caithness and Sutherland peatlands SAC and SPA descriptions $% Annex Conservation objectives for Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SAC and SPA $' Acknowledgements $( Membership of LIFE Peatlands Project Steering Group $( Contact details for LIFE Peatlands Project funding partners $( Acronyms and abbreviations Bog asphodel Foreword As a boy I had the great privilege of spending my summers at Dalnawillan= our family home= deep in what is now called the “Flow Country” Growing up there it was impossible not to absorb its beauty= observe the wildlife= and develop a deep love for this fascinating and unique landscape Today we know far more about the peatlands and their importance and we continue to learn all the time As a land manager I work with others to try to preserve for future generations that which I have been able to enjoy The importance of the peatlands is now widely recognised and there are many stakeholders and agencies involved The development of this strategy is therefore both timely and welcome The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland are a special place= a vast and
    [Show full text]