New approaches to improve the detection of eutrophication in UK coastal waters

Robust assessments of eutrophication are necessary to meet the requirements of a range of international (OSPAR) and EU legislative drivers. To meet these needs EU states have developed marine monitoring programmes designed to allow the application of specified assessment procedures. The UK has reviewed its approach to monitoring eutrophication and has identified a range of future requirements to ensure the evidence base for assessment is robust and the underpinning science is in place. This paper describes the pilot application of in situ monitoring technology (SmartBuoy). Currently, two buoys are deployed in the southern North Sea and a third in Liverpool Bay (Irish Sea). The network of SmartBuoys returns data on physical, chemical and biological variables in near real-time (www.cefas.co.uk/monitoring). The rationale for system and network design will be described. Data from the multi-year time series will be presented and their subsequent use in assessments of eutrophication will be described.