Conclusions to the special volume of science of the total environment concerning UK fluxes to the North Sea, land ocean interaction study river basins research, the first two years

An overview of the regional water quality of rivers draining into the North Sea, based on the first findings of the Land Ocean Interaction Study (LOIS), sets the findings within a contemporary and historical setting. Attention is focused on future avenues of enquiry linking scientific research and environmental management within a framework for safeguarding and improving UK rivers and coastal environments.