Waste to EnergyWaste to EnergyDublin Bay Baseline StudyDublin Bay Baseline Study

22

Objective of the StudyObjective of the Study

o To investigate the existing environmental conditions To investigate the existing environmental conditions prior to the development of a Waste to Energy prior to the development of a Waste to Energy Facility on the Poolbeg Peninsula (Baseline Study)Facility on the Poolbeg Peninsula (Baseline Study)

o The baseline study will be used as background for the The baseline study will be used as background for the EIS which will be prepared by the developer once the EIS which will be prepared by the developer once the design of the facility has been decided.design of the facility has been decided.

33

Planned location of the Planned location of the FacilityFacility

44

AgendaAgenda

11 Sources of informationSources of information22 Presentation of key results to date:Presentation of key results to date:

--Water QualityWater Quality- Sediments - Sediments - Heavy metals in sediments- Heavy metals in sediments- Benthic invertebrate fauna- Benthic invertebrate fauna- Fish - Fish - Birds- Birds

The presentation do not include any assessment of impacts of The presentation do not include any assessment of impacts of the facilitythe facility

Sources of informationSources of information

66

Sources of informationSources of information

o Data from literature and Data from literature and reports reports

o Data from the monitoring Data from the monitoring programme carried out by programme carried out by Dublin City CouncilDublin City Council

o Field studiesField studies

SourceSource DataData

Literature Literature and reportsand reports

Water quality, Sediments Water quality, Sediments Pollutants, Vegetation, Benthic Pollutants, Vegetation, Benthic invertebrate fauna and fishinvertebrate fauna and fish

Huge amounts of existing data Huge amounts of existing data available- Dublin Bay is one of available- Dublin Bay is one of the most studied marine area the most studied marine area in Ireland (two decades of in Ireland (two decades of data)data)

Monitoring Monitoring programmeprogramme

Water quality, Sediments Water quality, Sediments Pollutants, Benthic invertebrate Pollutants, Benthic invertebrate faunafauna

Field studiesField studies Benthic invertebrate faunaBenthic invertebrate fauna

Algae, fish, habitatsAlgae, fish, habitats

77

Water Quality MonitoringWater Quality MonitoringDublin City CouncilDublin City Council

Water quality surveys are carried Water quality surveys are carried out monthly from a boat.out monthly from a boat.

Water samples taken from these Water samples taken from these stations are analysed for the stations are analysed for the following:following:

DO, Salinity, Transparency, DO, Salinity, Transparency, Temperature, pH, TON, Nitrite, Temperature, pH, TON, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, Phosphate, Total Nitrate, Ammonia, Phosphate, Total Nitrogen, BOD, Total Phosphorus, Nitrogen, BOD, Total Phosphorus, Chlorophyll a, Phaeopigments, Chlorophyll a, Phaeopigments, Total Colifroms and Faecal Total Colifroms and Faecal Coliforms.Coliforms.

7

10 11

12

12

345

67

9

11 12

13

141517

18 20 21

22

2324

25

26

2728

88

Sediment and benthic fauna monitoring. Sediment and benthic fauna monitoring. Dublin City Council Dublin City Council

Intertidal sampling sitesIntertidal sampling sites. Stations . Stations indicated by black colour. Sediment indicated by black colour. Sediment samples taken yearlysamples taken yearly

Subtidal sampling siteSubtidal sampling site. Samples . Samples collected from sites 3, 6, 11, 13, 15, collected from sites 3, 6, 11, 13, 15, 25, 26, 27, 28 in 2002.and from all 25, 26, 27, 28 in 2002.and from all sites in 2003sites in 2003

Parameters analysed forParameters analysed for: Fauna, : Fauna, grain size, Loss on ignition, Cd, Cr, grain size, Loss on ignition, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and HgCu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and Hg

1

2

3 4 56

7

89

10 11

12

12

345

67

9

11 12

13

141517

18 20 21

22

2324

25

26

2728

99

Field study. Sampling sitesField study. Sampling sites

Key results to dateKey results to date

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Depths and currentsDepths and currents

o Dublin Bay is open and Dublin Bay is open and broad at its mouthbroad at its mouth

o Shallow water of less than Shallow water of less than 10 m depths10 m depths

o Current directions northerly Current directions northerly with water entering the bay with water entering the bay from the south and exiting from the south and exiting at Howthat Howth

1212

Protected areasProtected areas

Large areas of the bay are protected under the Large areas of the bay are protected under the following designations:following designations:

o Candidate Special Area of Conservation Candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC)- (cSAC)- supports examples of ten habitats supports examples of ten habitats listed in Annex 1 of the EU Habitats Directivelisted in Annex 1 of the EU Habitats Directive

o Special Protection Area under EU Birds Special Protection Area under EU Birds DirectiveDirective

o Proposed National Heritage Area (NHA)Proposed National Heritage Area (NHA)

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Protected Areas (1)Protected Areas (1)

1414

Protected areas (2)Protected areas (2)

1515

Protected Areas (3)Protected Areas (3)

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Water QualityWater Quality

The water quality of Dublin Bay is good with:The water quality of Dublin Bay is good with:o Low to sometimes moderate concentrations of Low to sometimes moderate concentrations of

organic matter and nutrientsorganic matter and nutrientso Low concentration of phytoplankton Low concentration of phytoplankton o Well oxygenated waterWell oxygenated watero Concentration of bacteria generally low. However, Concentration of bacteria generally low. However,

Merrion-, Sandymount- and Dollymount Strands do Merrion-, Sandymount- and Dollymount Strands do not comply with standards for Total and Faecal not comply with standards for Total and Faecal ColiformsColiforms

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Water QualityWater QualityJuly 2002-June 2003July 2002-June 2003

ParameterParameter UnitUnit Number of Number of measure-measure-mentsments

RangeRange Water quality Water quality indexindex

BODBOD mgOmgO22/l/l 155155 2 - 42 - 4 Low Low - Moderate- Moderate

NONO22+ NO+ NO33 µN/lµN/l 228228 11 - 33311 - 333 LowLow - Moderate - Moderate

NHNH44-N-N µN/lµN/l 230230 10 - 19710 - 197 LowLow

POPO44-P-P µP/lµP/l 202202 5 - 495 - 49 LowLow

Chl-aChl-a mg/mmg/m33 206206 0.1 - 4.10.1 - 4.1 LowLow

Dissolved Dissolved oxygenoxygen

% sat% sat 218218 88.3 – 109.988.3 – 109.9 Normal RangeNormal Range

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Sediments in Dublin BaySediments in Dublin Bay

The following sediment The following sediment types are encountered :types are encountered :

o Mud (flats inTolka estuary Mud (flats inTolka estuary and behind North Bull Isl.)and behind North Bull Isl.)

o Sand (Intertidal flats)Sand (Intertidal flats)

o Mixed substrates (Sutton)Mixed substrates (Sutton)

o Sand or sand mixed with Sand or sand mixed with mud (Subtidal areas)mud (Subtidal areas)

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Heavy metals in sedimentsHeavy metals in sedimentso Heavy metals concentrations are Heavy metals concentrations are

generally lowgenerally lowo However, heavy metals tend to However, heavy metals tend to

accumulate in the muddy sediments accumulate in the muddy sediments of Tolka estuaryof Tolka estuary

o Highest concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Highest concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu Zn in TolkaCu Zn in Tolka

o Data compared with canadian Data compared with canadian sediment guidelinessediment guidelines

o TEL (threshold effect level)-TEL (threshold effect level)-concentrations below TEL not toxicconcentrations below TEL not toxic

o PEL (probable effect level). PEL (probable effect level). Concentrations above PEL are toxicConcentrations above PEL are toxic

o Concentrations between TEL and Concentrations between TEL and PEL-slight risk of toxic effects on PEL-slight risk of toxic effects on faunafauna

Lead in sediments

0

20

40

60

80

Irishtown Tolka est Liffey est Liffey est Bull island

mg/

kg

Cadmium in sediments

0

0,5

1

1,5

2

2,5

3

3,5

Irishtown Tolka est Liffey est Liffey est Bull island

mg/

kg

2020

Benthic invertebrate faunaBenthic invertebrate fauna

o Benthic fauna is the fauna living in or closely Benthic fauna is the fauna living in or closely associated with the seabedassociated with the seabed

o Benthic fauna can be grouped in socalled Benthic fauna can be grouped in socalled communities each community including specific communities each community including specific groups of organisms that co-occur in similar groups of organisms that co-occur in similar environments (Composition of grains size of environments (Composition of grains size of sediments, organic matter content, depth etc)sediments, organic matter content, depth etc)

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Fauna CommunitiesFauna Communities

The following The following communities are found communities are found in Dublin Bay:in Dublin Bay:

o Tellina-communityTellina-communityo Macoma-communityMacoma-communityo Abra communityAbra communityo Venus communityVenus community

Tellina

Abra/Venus

Macoma

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Tellina communityTellina community

Characterizing speciesCharacterizing specieso Tellina tenuisTellina tenuiso Tellina fabulaTellina fabula

Other speciesOther specieso Nereis diversicolor, Lanice Nereis diversicolor, Lanice

conchilega, Eteone longa, conchilega, Eteone longa, Scolopos armiger, Nephtys Scolopos armiger, Nephtys hombergi, Bathyporeia sp. hombergi, Bathyporeia sp. (5 (5 species)species) Pontoporeia sp Pontoporeia sp(2 (2 species)species), Chorophium volutator, , Chorophium volutator, Crangon crangonCrangon crangon

Found from the tidal zone to 5-Found from the tidal zone to 5-10 m on pure sandy bottoms10 m on pure sandy bottoms

Tellina tenuis

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Macoma communityMacoma community

Characterizing speciesCharacterizing specieso Macoma balticaMacoma balticao Cerastoderma eduleCerastoderma eduleo Scrobicularia planaScrobicularia planao Arenicola marinaArenicola marina

OtherOther species:species:o Mytilus edulis, Nereis Mytilus edulis, Nereis

diversicolor, Scoloplos armiger, diversicolor, Scoloplos armiger, Nepthys hombergi, Capitella Nepthys hombergi, Capitella capitata, Oligochatea sp. and capitata, Oligochatea sp. and Carcinus maenasCarcinus maenas

Found from the tidal zone Found from the tidal zone to about 10 m on mixed to about 10 m on mixed bottomsbottoms

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Abra communityAbra community

Characterizing speciesCharacterizing specieso Abra albaAbra albao Corbula gibbaCorbula gibbao Cultellus pellucidusCultellus pelluciduso Nucula nucleusNucula nucleuso Lagis koreniLagis korenio Nephtys hombergiNephtys hombergio Ophiura texturataOphiura texturata

Other speciesOther specieso Donax vittatus, Lanice conchilega, Scoloplos Donax vittatus, Lanice conchilega, Scoloplos

armiger, Eteone longa, Owenia fusiformis, armiger, Eteone longa, Owenia fusiformis, Capitella capitata, Bathyporeia sp Capitella capitata, Bathyporeia sp

Found in sheltered areas on a Found in sheltered areas on a mixed to muddy bottom rich in mixed to muddy bottom rich in organic material. From 10 to organic material. From 10 to about 30 mabout 30 m

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Venus communityVenus community

Characterizing speciesCharacterizing specieso Venus gallinaVenus gallinao Tellina fabulaTellina fabulao Tellina tenuisTellina tenuiso Mactra stultorumMactra stultorum

Other speciesOther specieso Same as Abra communitySame as Abra community

Found on sandy bottom Found on sandy bottom from 10 to 30-40 mfrom 10 to 30-40 m

Venus gallina

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Benthic fauna in the LiffeyBenthic fauna in the Liffey

o The river bed is virtually devoid of fauna from The river bed is virtually devoid of fauna from Kingsbridge to about 1.5 km below Butt Bridge, due Kingsbridge to about 1.5 km below Butt Bridge, due to poor oxygen conditionsto poor oxygen conditions

o Further downstream fauna is present and Further downstream fauna is present and

progressively the fauna becomes more normal progressively the fauna becomes more normal towards Poolbegtowards Poolbeg

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Fish faunaFish fauna

Dublin Bay is an important habitat Dublin Bay is an important habitat for fishfor fish::

o DabDab and and plaiceplaice most abundant most abundant demersal (bottom dwelling) species. demersal (bottom dwelling) species. FlounderFlounder, , WhitingWhiting and and Common Common dragonetdragonet also quite common. also quite common.

o Seasonal immigrations of Seasonal immigrations of SpratsSprats, , HerringHerring, , MackerelMackerel, , MulletsMullets, , PollacksPollacks, , BassBass and and CodlingsCodlings. .

o Nursery area for several species Nursery area for several species including dab, plaice, flounder and including dab, plaice, flounder and whitingwhiting

o Zone of passage of migrating salmon Zone of passage of migrating salmon and sea trout. and sea trout.

Dab

Plaice

Flounder

Whiting

Common Dragonet

Other

Demersal (bottom dwelling) fish species in Dublin Bay. Percentage of total numbers of different species caught during surveys carried out in 1996 and 1998. The fish were caught by R.V Lough Beltra and the R.V Celtic Voyager using small mesh beam trawl over a distance of 500 m at six sites in Dublin Bay.

2828

Plaice. Plaice. Spawning and nursery areasSpawning and nursery areas

SpawningSpawning: Important spawning area off the : Important spawning area off the north-east coast of Ireland from Dublin in the north-east coast of Ireland from Dublin in the south to Dundrum Bay in the north. south to Dundrum Bay in the north. Spawning between late January to early May Spawning between late January to early May with peak spawning with peak spawning during Marchduring March

Larval developmentLarval development: eggs and larvae : eggs and larvae pelagic-carried by the currents, staying pelagic-carried by the currents, staying mainly in the very productive Western Irish mainly in the very productive Western Irish Sea gyre. Metamorphose to juvenile plaice Sea gyre. Metamorphose to juvenile plaice eventually it settles on the bottom as a proper eventually it settles on the bottom as a proper flatfish. flatfish.

Nursery areasNursery areas: Juvenile plaice found in : Juvenile plaice found in shallow inshore water usually sandy beach shallow inshore water usually sandy beach areas . Most important areas along the Irish areas . Most important areas along the Irish coast are located on the stretch from coast are located on the stretch from Strangford to and including Dublin Bay . Strangford to and including Dublin Bay .

2929

Whiting Whiting Spawning and Nursery areasSpawning and Nursery areas

Spawning areasSpawning areas: One of the main : One of the main spawning areas for whiting in the Irish spawning areas for whiting in the Irish Sea is off the Irish coast between Sea is off the Irish coast between County Down and Dublin Spawning County Down and Dublin Spawning takes place from February to June. takes place from February to June.

Larval driftLarval drift. Eggs and larvae are . Eggs and larvae are pelagic and are carried by the currents, pelagic and are carried by the currents, and are found in the coastal bightsand are found in the coastal bights

Nursery areasNursery areas: Juvenile whiting are : Juvenile whiting are found in nursery areas over sandy and found in nursery areas over sandy and muddy coastal areas and estuaries muddy coastal areas and estuaries Dublin Bay is a nursery area for whiting Dublin Bay is a nursery area for whiting

After the first year of life it migrates to After the first year of life it migrates to the open seathe open sea

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ConclusionConclusiono The water quality of Dublin Bay is generally goodThe water quality of Dublin Bay is generally good

o Heavy metals concentrations are generally lowHeavy metals concentrations are generally low

o However, heavy metals tend to accumulate in the muddy sediments of Tolka However, heavy metals tend to accumulate in the muddy sediments of Tolka estuary estuary There is a rich fauna of benthic invertebrates in Dublin Bay. The following There is a rich fauna of benthic invertebrates in Dublin Bay. The following benthic fauna communities are found : benthic fauna communities are found : Tellina-,Macoma-,Abra- and Venus Tellina-,Macoma-,Abra- and Venus communitiescommunities

o In the Liffey, the river bed is virtually devoid of fauna from Kingsbridge to about In the Liffey, the river bed is virtually devoid of fauna from Kingsbridge to about 1.5 km below Butt Bridge, due to poor oxygen conditions. Further downstream 1.5 km below Butt Bridge, due to poor oxygen conditions. Further downstream fauna is present and progressively the fauna becomes more normal towards fauna is present and progressively the fauna becomes more normal towards PoolbegPoolbeg

o Dublin Bay is an important habitat for fish. It is nDublin Bay is an important habitat for fish. It is nursery area for several species ursery area for several species including dab, plaice, flounder and whiting. The Bay is including dab, plaice, flounder and whiting. The Bay is Zone of passage of Zone of passage of migrating salmon and sea trout. migrating salmon and sea trout.