ESAI – Promoting Professional Development through Education · Environews Issue 17 Spring 2009...

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ESAI – Promoting Professional Development through Education

Issue No 17 Spring 2009ISSN 1393 2705

Newsletter of the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland • An association for people working in the environmental area

Environews Issue 17 Spring 2009Environews is published by the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland(ESAI) and distributed free to members. Names and addresses of membersare not provided to commercial concerns.

ESAI COUNCIL OFFICERSChairpersonDr Shirley Gallagher20 Coppervalley View, Glanmire, Co CorkTel: 086-838 3759Email: [email protected] ChairpersonCurrently vacantHonorary SecretaryDr Brian QuinnSHELLTEC Applied Research Centre, GMIT, Dublin Road, GalwayEmail: [email protected] Paul BolgerEnvironmental Research Institute, UCC, Lee Road, CorkEmail: [email protected] Co-ordinatorc/o Dr Adrian CorcoranEmail: [email protected] Liaison OfficerMr Vincent CarragherCentre for Environmental Research, Lonsdale Building, UL, LimerickEmail: [email protected] John WannAulino Wann & Associates, 34 Windsor Avenue,Whitehead, BT389RX,Co AntrimEmail: [email protected] CoordinatorDr Josephine TreacyDepartment of Applied Science, LIT, LimerickEmail: [email protected] Relations OfficerDr. Brian Quinn (see above)Email: [email protected]

ESAI COUNCIL MEMBERSDr Thomas CurranUCD Bioresources Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food Scienceand Veterinary Medicine, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4Email: [email protected] WemaereERTDI Section, EPA, McCumiskey House, Richview, Clonskeagh Road,Dublin 14Email:[email protected] Laura KirwanTeagasc Environmental Research Centre, Johnstown Castle,WexfordEmail: [email protected] Elizabeth CullenIrish Doctors Environmental Association,Thomastown, Kilcullen, Co KildareEmail: [email protected] Alan BerryMarCon Computations International, No 10 NUIG Innovation Centre,Upper Newcastle, GalwayEmail: [email protected] Jon Dumler-MacDonaghIRWM/NUIG, 63 Mill Falls, Old Road, Collooney, Co SligoEmail: [email protected] Nuala Murphy2,The Drive, Straffan Wood, Maynooth, Co KildareEmail: [email protected]

ADMINISTRATORSinead MackenStonehaven, Moy Road, Kinvara, Co GalwayTel: 086-807 1498Email: [email protected]

ESAI MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS€50 waged; €25 unwaged(Contact Administrator or check out www.esaiweb.org)

COVER PHOTOGRAPH Lesser Horseshoe Bat – Frank Greenaway

A warm welcome to all our readers in the environmentalsciences to this, our first Environews of 2009. I am the neweditor of the newsletter, having taken over the reins fromCatherine Dalton who did Trojan work in recent years incompiling a most informative, professional publication. Wewish her well in continuing to pursue her research interestsat the Department of Geography, University of Limerick.Catherine will still be working in the background in asupportive role, bringing her own unique experience,expertise and insights to the design and content of thenewsletter.

At this point, may I appeal to all our members to keepthose items of interest to the environmental professionalcommunity coming in, whether it is an article on your latestresearch or news of conferences, symposia or trainingevents. This is your newsletter and we rely on you all toensure that Environews continues to be a valuable source ofinformation for keeping abreast of latest developments inenvironmental research, legislation and policy and forcontributing towards a more general process of networkingamongst environmental professionals.

I am sure that many of you will agree that Environ 2009 atWaterford IT was a great success, with no small thanks toall who gave up their time and expertise to ensure thateverything ran as smoothly as planned. The oral and posterpresentations were superb in terms of their quality and thebreadth of environmental research covered; this made it allthe more difficult to choose the winners of the variouscompetitions. Already, preparations are underway forEnviron 2010, which will be held at the Limerick Institute ofTechnology. We appeal to all our colleagues to startthinking about how they can help to ensure that Environ2010 continues to be the highlight of the ESAI calendaryear, whether it is by putting together a presentation orsponsoring the event itself.

John WannEditor, Environews

Editorial

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) a worryinginvasive species found from roadsides to river corridorsthroughout the country. Photograph: John Wann

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• Parasitoid wasps, which are important in natural pestregulation, were identified by the research as strongindicators of wider biodiversity and ecological changein agricultural grasslands.

• Bumblebees, which have importance as pollinators,were shown to have undergone significant decline overrecent decades.

• The richness and diversity of bird species during thebreeding season is strongly linked to the ecologicalquality of Irish hedgerows.

• Breeding bird populations within field boundaries aresignificantly greater on dairy farms compared withnon-dairy farms.

• The project’s work to date suggests that the increasedgrassland management intensity associated with dairyfarming is not necessarily always “bad” for all aspects ofbiodiversity.

• Aspects of farm management and condition can beused as surrogate indicators for the likely change in the

status of biological populations within farmland. Thisinsight has informed wider EU-funded research foragri-environmental policy evaluation.

• Increased inorganic fertiliser use causes decreasedefficiency of soil nitrogen utilisation and decreasedefficiency of atmospheric nitrogen fixation by whiteclover in pastures.

• The pasture ecosystem is critically dependent onearthworm populations to ameliorate the impact ofhigh stocking rates on soil structure.

An investigative tool was developed that will continue tobe of use in further studies of the ecology of the barleyyellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and its vectors in the field.

The project has made a significant contribution towardsIreland’s obligations under the Convention of BiologicalDiversity (CBD), and subsequent agreement by EUmember states to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010.

The results will help guide the development of agri-environmental policy that will promote the very significantrole of farmers as custodians and managers of our widercountryside.

The AgBiota Synthesis Report (STRIVE Report 21) isavailable from: www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/research/biodiversity/name,25805,en.html.

The end-of-project report can be downloaded from:http://erc.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=108#files.

For further information, contact:Gordon PurvisSchool of Biology and Environmental ScienceAgriculture and Food Science CentreUniversity College [email protected]

By Gordon Purvis

This integrated study, informally known asthe ‘Ag-Biota’ Project (lead organisation:University College Dublin), was funded asa five-year ‘capability development’project, to develop capacity and expertisein biodiversity research within the contextof agriculture. The project identified fourkey bio-indicator groups for assessment ofthe impacts of agriculture on widerbiodiversity. Here are the key findings.

Monitoring, functional significance and management for the maintenance andeconomic utilisation of biodiversity in the intensively farmed landscape

The AG-BIOTA Project

A hedgerow of high ecological quality.Photograph: John Wann

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By Laura Kirwan

Over 300 delegates participated in Environ09 in WaterfordInstitute of Technology from 18th-20th February 2009. Theconference was jointly organised by ESAI, WIT and Teagasc,Johnstown Castle. The scientific programme comprised eightyoral presentations and sixty-three posters.

Environ09

The conference opened with an address from DrMícheál Lehane (EPA). The keynote address wasgiven by Dr Liam Lysaght from the NationalBiodiversity Data Centre. There was a livelyplenary session, with debate led by four invitedspeakers: Prof Richard Tol, Dr Rowan Fealy, MrDeclan Waugh and Ms Jean Ryan. The sessionwas chaired by Dr Frank McGovern (EPA).

Twenty-one sessions covered all areas ofenvironmental science. For the first time atEnviron there were “theme leaders” who gaveinvited presentations and led the discussion intheir thematic areas of environmental science.Prof Bruce Osborne (UCD) led Biodiversity; DrGary Lanigan (Teagasc) led SustainableManagement of Air, Soil and Water; Dr CatherineO’Reilly (WIT) led Environmental Technologiesand Eco-innovation, and Dr Duncan Laurence(Duncan Laurence Environmental) ledEnvironmental Management.

A highlight of this year’s conference was theexciting social programme. Energetic delegatesparticipated in a céilí on the first night. Guestsat the conference dinner were entertained by the“Some Like it Hot” swing and latin orchestraand many danced until the wee hours.

This year’s colloquium was highly successful

Plenary discussion participants(L to R): Dr Frank McGovern (EPA), Dr Rowan Fealy (NUIM),Jean Ryan (KBC Asset Management), Prof Richard Tol (ESRI),Declan Waugh (Partnership for Change).

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The plenary sessionDeclan Waugh (Partnership for Change) addresses the gathering.

Environ09 opening ceremony(L to R): Prof Kieran Byrne (Director, WIT), Prof Gerry Boyle (Director, Teagasc), Dr Laura Kirwan(Conference Coordinator, ESAI), Cllr Ted Howlin (Mayor of Wexford), Cllr Mary O’Halloran(Deputy Mayor, Waterford), Dr Liam Lysaght (Keynote Speaker, National Biodiversity DataCentre), and Dr Mícheál Lehane (Opening Address, EPA).

Delegates atthe welcomereception

Conferencedinner centrepiece

Delegates participated in acompetition to identify the ten

plant species.

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ESAI Best Overall Poster PresentationWinner: Conor McCarthy, NUIM, for his poster: Sensing ofnitrates at nanowires modified with metal nanoparticles.

ESAI Best Forestry Oral PresentationWinner: Richard O’Hanlon, UL, for his talk: Aninvestigation into the diversity and functional diversity of fungiin Irish forested and afforested woodlands.

Best Forestry Poster PresentationWinner: Sarah Cooley, WIT, for her poster: Irish woodenergy – a chemical perspective.

Best Soils PresentationWinner: David Walmsley, UCD, for his talk: Quantifyingdissolved carbon losses from soils: effects of land use andmanagement practice.

Articles from each winner giving an overview of theirproject will be available online (www.esaiweb.org) shortly.

Prize money totalling €1,250 was presented to students thisyear, and the sponsorship of these prizes was greatlyappreciated by ESAI. Many thanks to the continuedsupport from our sponsors COFORD, the Soil ScienceSociety of Ireland and the Lifetime Lab in Cork.

By Sinead Macken, ESAI Administrator

Environ09 was held in Waterford IT inFebruary. It was a well-organised and well-attended event, and ESAI would like tothank the local committee, especially DrLaura Kirwan, for a job well done.

Student prizewinners at Environ09

Participating in the ENVIRON09 poster session (L to R): Dr Anna Fenelon, Dr Caroline Narayan, Ms Dominika Krol andMs Orlaith O’Connor.

There were 140 presentations at the colloquium – 60 oralpresentations and 70 posters. The ESAI ran a student oraland poster presentation competition, judging all talks andpresentations to make the difficult decision to find the bestpresentations and posters. We would like to thank themany judges who assisted with this competition.

The quality of the oral presentations and posters was firstclass and therefore it was a very difficult decision to choosea winner in each category. The winning studentpresentations chosen by the ESAI were as follows:

ESAI Best Overall Oral PresentationWinner: Miguel Angel Prieto Lage, IT Sligo/UCD, for histalk: Water supply and consumption in County Sligo.

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The workshop comprised presentations from some ofIreland’s leading experts on invasive species. Both existingand emerging high-risk species in freshwater, marine andterrestrial environments were covered. The presentationsalso covered topics impacting on the invasive species issue,

such as the legislative framework, climate change, transportnetworks as vectors and the new National Invasive SpeciesDatabase.

Interesting questions such as how do we decide whichspecies should be considered invasive, and how toprioritise species for management, were debated. Thediscussions were lively, and participants questioned thepresenters on what actions the Government were taking,how potential invasive species could be excluded fromIreland in the first instance, and how can we effectivelymanage the species that are established here.

The workshop ended with an open session where a widerange of issues were discussed, with participants sharingdetails of ongoing invasive species research and projects inIreland. There is growing interest in invasive species fromresearchers and policy-makers, and this workshop enabledthe forty participants to network and share information.

By Dr Cathy Maguire

As awareness of the problems causedby invasive species increases, so doesthe need for information on whatspecies are posing a threat tobiodiversity in Ireland and on effectiveeradication and control methods.

Environ09 Invasive Species Workshop

Gunnera tinctoriain County Donegal.Photograph: John Wann

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Prizewinning studies at Environ09

The Government’s National Water Pricing PolicyFramework requires that the full costs of providing waterservices to non-domestic customers be recovered. As inother parts of Ireland, for many consumers in County Sligothe issue has become a major topic for discussion and thesubject of much objection from many stakeholders.

Sligo County Council delivers 38 million litres of water aday to homes, schools, businesses, farms and others. Thewater system in Co Sligo serves 59,000 people through7,000 service connections. Charges have been applied tothe non-domestic sector on a metered basis since January1st, 2006. Approximately 25% of the non-domesticcustomers are commercial and the remainder areagricultural. The charge for water in 2008 was €1.29 per m³and wastewater 0.87c per m³.

Water conservation is a key link between balancing currentand future water needs. The available water conservationtechnology focuses on resources for local businesses,industries, communities and individuals. Populationdistribution and density are key factors influencing theavailability of water resources. Increased urbanisationconcentrates water demand and can lead to the over-exploitation of local water resources. A tourist in Irelandconsumes around 400 litres per day; European householdconsumption is 150-200 litres and the Irish consumptionin urban areas is over 250 litres. Approximately 60% of thenon-domestic water supplied by Sligo County Council isused by the commercial sector. In addition, recreationalactivities such as swimming pools, golf courses and othersports facilities put pressure on water resources. Thisresearch project addresses this by establishing a baselinestudy of water supply and consumption in the county bymonitoring a selection of users across a number ofcategories (domestic, farm, business, schools, metered/non-metered), developing sustainable water supply andconsumption systems for different categories. We will setup loggers in their mains connections and study waterconsumption for about six months. Through that period oftime we will install in users’ premises green watertechnology available on the market. We will analyse thecollected data and evaluate which type of green technologywill save the most money and water for each category.

By Miguel Angel Prieto Lage, T. Curranand J. BartlettCorresponding author: M.A.P. Lage,University College Dublin and Institute of Technology of Sligo([email protected])

Sustainable water supply and

consumption in County Sligo

Nitrates are a commonground water contaminantin irrigation waters and inheavily populated areas.Overexposure can havedetrimental effects onhuman health and aquaticenvironments. In Ireland,agricultural land use is alarge source of unwantednitrates.

In this project, we aim todesign a novel electrochemical sensor constructed withnanomaterials, capable of detecting nitrates at lowconcentrations. Electrochemical sensors have severaladvantages compared to other methods of detectionincluding quicker response time, higher sensitivity andeasier use. Polypyrrole has been chosen as it is one of themost important organic conducting polymers due to itshigh stability, electronic conductivity and biocompatibility.

Polypyrrole nanowires have a higher exposed surface areaand are typically synthesised using a template-assistedmethod, but in this project a template-free polymerisationwith an acid electrolyte was used. Once we formed the

By Conor P. McCarthy, Bernadette E. Alcockand Carmel B. BreslinCorresponding author: C.P. McCarthy, Department ofChemistry, National University of Ireland Maynooth,Maynooth, Co Kildare ([email protected])

Sensing of nitrates at polypyrrolenanowires modified with metalnanoparticles

Prizewinning studies at Environ09

Polypyrrole nanowires (left) and polypyrrole nanowirescoated in metal particles (right).

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The Food and AgricultureOrganization of the UnitedNations states that overtwo-thirds of the world’sland-based species live inforests.1 Of the estimated1.5 million species of fungi,only 5% (70,000) havebeen described to date.2

The majority of these fungiare found in forestedhabitats. The amount offorested land in Ireland is

set to increase from 10% to >17% by 20303 and thereforeit is of the utmost importance that research into thebiodiversity of forested and afforested habitats is carriedout.

This project is part of a larger project, FUNCTIONALBIO,which is being run in the University of Limerick inconjunction with UCD and which is funded by COFORD.The study is investigating the fungi which are found in Irishash, oak, Scots pine and Sitka spruce forests.

As part of the investigation we are looking at forests ofdifferent ages and different rotation stages. The fungaldistribution data will be investigated along with site factors(age, tree type, vegetation type, soil physical and chemicalvariables) and environmental factors (meteorological data,light transmittance) with a view to finding correlationsbetween fungal diversity and these variables.

The mycorrhizal roots will also be investigated andattempts made to link these structures with above-groundfruitbodies (mushrooms) through Polymerase ChainReaction (PCR) methods. PCR involves DNA replication,described as the ‘DNA photocopier.’4

References1. Anon (2005). Forests: climate change, biodiversity and landdegradation. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.[online] available: http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/factsheets/pdf/forest_eng.pdf2. Hawksworth, D.L. and Rossman, A.Y. (1997). Where areall the undescribed fungi? Phytopathology 87 888-891.3. Anon (1996). Growing for the future. A strategic plan for thedevelopment of the forestry sector in Ireland. Dublin: Department ofAgriculture, Food and Forestry.4. McPherson, M.J. and Møller, S.G. (2000). PCR. Oxford:BIOS Scientific Publishers Ltd.

By Richard O’Hanlon and Dr Tom HarringtonCorresponding author: R. O’Hanlon, Department of LifeSciences, University of Limerick ([email protected])

An investigation into the diversityand functional diversity of fungi inIrish forested and afforestedwoodlands

nanowires, metal nanoparticles were deposited directlyonto the polymer film electrochemically; this avoided theneed to centrifuge and re-disperse the particles, which iscommonly associated with chemical synthesis. Theseparticles adhere directly to the polymer film, minimisingthe possibility of them being released and contaminatingaquatic systems, providing a more environmentally friendlyapproach.

This method has significant potential to produce a highlyselective and sensitive nitrate sensor. The possibility ofhaving a real-time, reliable and accurate network ofsensors, that could be accessed remotely, removes thecurrent requirement for water to be sampled periodically byskilled technicians.

Cortinariuscinnamomeus,a webcap found inconiferous forests.Photograph: Richard O’Hanlon

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Due to growing concernsfor the environment, suchas greenhouse gasemissions, air and waterpollution and diminishingamounts of available fossilfuels, there is a constantdemand for renewable andsustainable energy sources.Wood is an importantrenewable energy source forIreland. As trees are themain source of carbondioxide removal from the

atmosphere, using wood as a solid biofuel does notcontribute to net greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately,regardless of the technology used, any combustion will leadto air emissions and some level of wood ash. Before weconsume this natural resource, it is therefore essential forfurther research to be carried out into the use of woodbiomass, such as looking at its chemical components to seehow it affects the environment.

The amount of air emissions and ash content is influencedby physical and chemical composition of the wood used.

The chemical and physical properties of wood aredependent on many factors. Evidence suggests that thegeographic source of the wood, as well as the species, playsa role in determining the chemical make-up of the wood.Sitka spruce is a predominant wood species in Irish forestry,as it grows productively under a wide range of conditions.In this research, Sitka spruce, in several different harvestingassortments, i.e. whole-tree (WT), roundwood (RW),energy wood (EW) and firewood (FW), have been studiedfrom various geographical locations. Freshly felled andseasoned samples were also studied.

ICP spectroscopy and bomb calorimetry were utilised todetermine the heavy metal content and the calorific valuesof the wood samples, respectively. Other properties such asthe chlorine, nitrogen concentration and ash content havealso been investigated.

So far, preliminary studies have indicated the quality ofIrish wood fuel from across Ireland is of an acceptablestandard for use as a renewable and sustainable fuel.However, much analysis still needs to be carried out on themany variables, such as soil and forest management, whichmay affect variations in the quality of the wood fuel whichis processed within Ireland.

By Sarah Cooley, Maeve Kennealy, Dr Eleanor Owens and Tom KentCorresponding author: S. Cooley, Wood Energy Research Group, Department of Chemical & Life Sciences, Waterford Institute ofTechnology, Cork Road, Waterford ([email protected])

Irish wood energy: a chemical perspective

Sitka spruce plantationin County Wicklow.Photograph: Siobhán Egan

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Prizewinning studies at Environ09Prizewinning studies at Environ09

It has becomeimportant, with theratification of theKyoto Protocol, toaccurately quantify thecarbon sequestrationcapacity of managedecosystems in Irelandfor reporting reasonsand as a basis fordeveloping carbon-related mitigationstrategies. Various

methods have been employed to estimate the carbonbalance of terrestrial ecosystems, but the leachinglosses of dissolved, particularly inorganic, carbonhave often been neglected.

For this reason, we have quantified the amount ofdissolved carbon lost from three major Irish land-usetypes (grassland, arable and forest) and assessed itscontribution to the overall carbon balance. This isdone by multiplying concentrations obtained fromglass suction cups with the amount of groundwaterrecharge, estimated using a simple soil hydrologicalmodel, and relating these to estimates of net carbonbalance obtained using eddy-covariance techniques.

Our results show that inorganic carbon is the majorcomponent of dissolved carbon leaching in allecosystems studied and that this can be an importantfactor in the carbon storage potential of differentland-use types. If the loss of dissolved carbon isneglected, the carbon sink strength of the ecosystemcan be overestimated by up to 25%.

By David Walmsley, Matt Saundersand Bruce OsborneCorresponding author: D. Walmsley, UCD School ofBiology and Environmental Science, University CollegeDublin, Belfield, Dublin 4([email protected])

Quantifying dissolved carbonlosses from soils: effects of landuse and management practice

Installation of suction cups.Photograph: David Walmsley

Sampling flasks. Photograph: David Walmsley

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A huge restoration project was undertaken at the oldwaterworks after funding was secured through theEuropean Free Trade Association. The Coal Store is used asa fully equipped conference centre, including a video-conferencing facility. The Boiler Room accommodates acoffee dock and also a pledge board, where visitors frompoliticians to five-year-olds have made specific eco-friendlypledges. In the same building are housed the sensoryexhibits (a recent Clarion Award winner), at the very spotwhere huge beam engines once pumped water to largereservoirs located in Shanakiel.

The second building is the Steam Centre (remodelled in1904) which is visible from the Lee Road. The Steam Plantis incredibly intact, as if it hadn’t been touched from the dayalmost 50 years ago that the workers walked out and closedthe door behind them. A great example of industrialengineering and architecture can be viewed, with its threehuge steam engines incorporating two Lancaster boilers.

A School Resource Centre, which used to serve as aweighbridge and workshop to service the engines andpipework at the site, is a key part of the campus. In aunique partnership between Cork City Council and theDepartment of Education and Science, two teachers hoston-site science workshops. To date, many children haveenjoyed the practical hands-on scientific activities,including experiments showing pupils many scientificconcepts such as how to build a magnetic car or harness the

By Mervyn Horgan

Lifetime Lab, located in the old Victorianwaterworks on the Lee Road in Cork, haswelcomed over 50,000 visitors and hasalready scooped numerous prestigiousawards since opening to the public inOctober 2005. The awards recognise allaspects of Lifetime Lab’s philosophy,including conservation of energy andmaterials as well as the importance ofeducating people of all ages about how toprotect our environment.

Lifetime Lab: energydemonstrationcentre

Top: Schoolchildren enjoy the exhibits at the Lifetime Lab.Above: Restored water meter from Cork city’s old water-works (1750s to 1950s), now on display at Lifetime Lab.

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power of a windmill. By visiting the complex, schools cangain credits towards achieving a Discover PrimaryScience (DPS) Award, as Lifetime Lab is an accreditedDPS venue.

In a unique partnership, schoolchildren can travel to thecomplex on a dedicated bus. This bus will transport pupilsfrom their schools to Lifetime Lab and will collect studentsfrom anywhere in the Cork region. By providing thisservice, Lifetime Lab, and especially Bord Gáis, removedone of the major barriers, i.e. transport costs, faced byschools in the past.

The fourth building houses the Cork City Energy Agencywhich provides information on energy conservation,renewable energy, waste management, composting,transport initiatives, and water & air quality.

A laneway leads visitors from the Courtyard – passing agiant chessboard on the way – to the scientifically-themedplayground and sensory garden, which offers splendidviews across the River Lee.

Besides providing information on renewable energy andenergy conservation, the centre offers itself as ademonstration centre for sustainable energy technologies,with geothermal under-floor heating; a hydro-poweredelectricity supply channelling green electricity from thenearby River Lee; solar panels powering the outdoorlighting, and a windmill installed to generate electricity topump water. In fact, 80% of the required energy to run thefacility is provided from renewable resources availableon-site. By operating under Best Practice Guidelines, theelectricity consumption has been reduced by a further 36%.

Lifetime Lab is perfect for a family visit or any corporateevent including family fun days, meetings or productlaunches.

Contact detailsFor further information, please contact the Lifetime Lab at(021) 494 1500, [email protected], www.lifetimelab.ieor contact:Mervyn HorganLifetime Lab, Lee Road, CorkTelephone: (021) 494 1500Fax: (021) 494 1519Email: [email protected]: www.lifetimelab.ie

Lifetime Lab’sawards historyFebruary 2009: Lifetime Lab receives ISO 14001accreditation (Environmental Management System).

December 2008: Finalist, National Green Awards2008.

November 2008: Cork Better Building Award 2008.

October 2008: Vodafone Innovating GovernmentAward.

September 2008: Lifetime Lab shortlisted throughNTR main private sector sponsor for ChambersIreland President Award.

April 2008: Public Service Excellence Award fromAn Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, for schools scienceprogramme.

June 2007: Lifetime Lab chosen as one of fiveexemplars of on-site best practice for the EuropeanShining Example programme.

May 2007: Double Gold from Cork Chamber GreenFáilte programme for on-site best practice coveringthemes such as water, waste and energy.

November 2006: Lifetime Lab shortlisted for REPAKRecycling Award.

October 2006: Lifetime Lab receives the prestigiousIVCA Clarion Award at the BAFTA headquarters inLondon for its positive contribution to modern societythrough the development of a unique concept of apermanent interactive educational exhibition.

June 2006: Special award for Best Conservation/Restoration Project from the Royal Institute ofArchitects in Ireland (R.I.A.I.).

November 2005: Architects Jack CoughlanAssociates and Contractors, John F Supple Ltd,receive award in the Heritage Category of the OpusArchitecture and Construction Awards for theconservation and adaptation of the Lifetime Labcomplex.

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We are seeking assistance from anyone living inthese areas who can spare two or more nights tohelp with this work. We are in a position to payvolunteers mileage, and training in all aspects of thecatching, handling, tagging and tracking of the batswill be provided. All we would ask volunteers tosupply is their own mobile phone and head torch.

BackgroundThe aim of the radio tracking study is to determinehow the bats make their way to their foraging areas,and what foraging areas they use, so that thisinformation can input into broader landscapeconservation measures. We intend to catch the batsas they fly away from the roosts, and are allowingtwo nights for this, as the lesser horseshoe bat isnotoriously hard to catch. We will be using mist netsset up along their flight paths. When we catch thebats we shall attach small radio transmitters to theeight heaviest females; we have already obtained thenecessary licences to do this. Then, for the followingeight nights, we shall work in two teams of two,each team following four bats, probably by car butpossibly on foot, depending on what the bats chooseto do. Essentially, we will be aiming to gather asmuch data on their movements as possible; it maybe that three bats spend the whole night in onelocation all night, while others move between areasfrequently during the night, so how we work on aparticular night will need to be flexible.

We are carrying out similar studies in the UK, wheresome consultancies have offered to allow staff toassist, in return for the training aspect of the work.

By Kate McAney

The Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) isplanning two radio tracking studies ofthe lesser horseshoe bat at two of itsreserves this summer, one based nearCahernacon, Co Mayo, from June 2nd

to 12th, and one based near Gort, CoGalway, from August 18th to 27th.

Lesser horseshoe bats (including a motherwith pup clinging to her belly).Photographs: Frank Greenaway

Volunteers are wanted to help in lesserhorseshoe bat study in Galway and Mayo

Lesser Horseshoe Bat Study

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This year’s conference focused on the following themes:

• The new Groundwater Regulations (2009);

• An update on the Water Framework Directive (WFD);

• Discharges to Groundwater. Relevant output from theWater Framework Directive (WFD) on large-scaledischarges to groundwater and the new Code ofPractice concerning on-site waste water treatmentsystems;

• Karst hydrology and contamination, and associatedgroundwater-dependant ecosystems (turloughs);

• Groundwater as a source of water supply. Its protectionand sustainability.

The IAH conference attracted participants from alldisciplines with an interest in any of these topics. Ashydrogeology is by its nature interdisciplinary, theexchange of ideas is the key to progress in this area.

Handbook onimproving lesserhorseshoe bat roostsA handbook providing clear and practicaladvice on improving roost buildings used by

the lesser horseshoe bat has beenpublished recently by the Vincent

Wildlife Trust.

The handbook is primarilyaimed at ecologicalconsultants who come

across this species while surveyingfor bats and subsequently have to providemitigation during development work,although it will be of interest to anyoneinvolved in bat conservation.

The 78-page publication is divided into twosections; the first deals with the moretheoretical aspects of roosting ecology andactivity patterns of the lesser horseshoe bat,while the second shows how roosts andhabitats can be modified and enhanced. Thissection also provides information on how tosurvey buildings for this small bat, and alsohow to detect it in the field using batdetectors.

The VWT is a charity engaged in long-termmammal research and conservation work,primarily in Britain and Ireland. Over theyears, the Trust has invested much of itsresources into locating and protectingimportant summer roosts and hibernationsites for horseshoe bats. This handbook is asynthesis of many fieldwork hours on these,and other, protected sites.

Copies are available by [email protected] (price €21.90including p&p). Alternatively, it can bepurchased by credit card from the NaturalHistory Book Service (www.nhbs.com), price£24.95 including p&p.

By Suzanne Tynan

The annual conference of the InternationalAssociation of Hydrogeologists (IAH) –Irish Group was held in the TullamoreCourt Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 21-22 April 2009.

Hydrogeologists’conference

Turlough in karst landscape in the Burren, County Clare.

Environews issue 17

Physical geography and Earth environmentsMany scientists now agree that there is unequivocalevidence of climate change as a result of anthropogenicinfluences on the physical environment. With a globalpopulation of almost seven billion and growing, humanshave claimed enormous demand on the finite resources ofspace and raw materials shared with countless otherspecies. The effects of emissions, agriculture, pollutants andfuel combustion on the atmosphere are not directly evidentto the majority of humankind, but detrimentally affect theentire planet. The most glaring of influences can be seen inthe physical environment, with very few areas leftundisturbed. Settlement and urbanisation, industry,farming, mining, power generation and associatedinfrastructures alter the Earth’s morphology and associatedhydrological and geomorphological processes. Someenvironments have been distorted beyond repair andcountless habitats destroyed.

Nowhere is this more evident than on the coast andsurrounding areas where 1.2 x 109 people live within100km of the shoreline. This is nearly three times higherthan the average global density.¹ The natural behaviour ofcoastal environments to shift, expand or contract tomaintain their morphology amidst the variety of scalechanges from daily fluctuations of tides, currents and wavesto annual storms to decadal/century-scale sea-level

variations and beyond has been hampered. The result ofthis impediment is becoming all the more apparent as sealevels rise and storm intensities increase. Anthropogenicpressures in the surrounding catchment areas createadditional landward strain and coastal squeeze.Unfortunately, it is not possible to wipe the Earth clean andstart again, so human adaptation, habitat preservation andrestoration measures are necessary.

Geographers have made considerable progress inunderstanding the complexities of natural and artificiallyderived geomorphic changes in recent decades, supportedby advances in monitoring equipment, engineering,geographical information systems, satellite imagery andnumerical modelling. This session invited researchers in thefield of physical geography to discuss their work onenvironmental change in coastal, catchment or uplandregions.

Climates of Ireland: variability, extremesand effectsNowadays, Ireland enjoys a temperate climate with a lowseasonal temperature range and a relative rarity of extremeweather conditions. However, Irish society has beenseverely affected by climatic shifts and extreme weatherevents in the past, and weather extremes are projected toincrease in severity in the future.

Papers addressing the related themes of climatic variability,weather extremes, past trends and future climatepredictions were invited for this session. In particular, wewelcomed multidisciplinary studies of climate fromcombinations of historical, palaeoenvironmental,instrumental and modelling approaches. Causes and effectsof climatic variability were of central interest, i.e. climaticforcings of local and global importance, and the effects ofclimatic shifts and weather extremes on the humanpopulation, ecology and the physical environment ofIreland.

Conference detailsFor more details on the conference, seehttp://www.ucc.ie/academic/geography/pages/index.htm.The conference programme was made available by April10th. Any queries should be sent to [email protected] or [email protected].

By Katherine Cronin

The Geography Department of UniversityCollege Cork hosted the Conference of IrishGeographers 2009 on May 15th-16th inUniversity College Cork. This year’s themewas Irish Geographies: Prospect andRetrospect. The conference hosted sessionsdedicated to physical geography and Earthenvironments, climate change, ruraltransformation, food, governance andplanning, historical geography, migrationand landscape and society, amongst others.

Conference of Irish Geographers

¹Small, C. & Nicholls, R.J. (2003). A global analysis of human settlement in coastal zones. Journal of Coastal Research 19:3 584-599

Environews issue 17

The changing face of rural Ireland. Photograph: John Wann

Local authorities sessionsBy Sandra Bliz

Resource & Recover 2009 hosted two localauthority networking events that combinedinformative presentations on anaerobicdigestion on day one, and floodmanagement on day two, with anetworking lunch.

The presentations on anaerobic digestion were held byBurkart Schulte and Dr Ketelsen, speaking on the Dry andWet Process MBT. The presentations certainly highlightedthat Ireland is a far cry from the position that we should bein on this issue. Much of the Q&A session following thepresentations centred on the economics of the process andhow money can be made from it, which provided a niceoutlook in the current economic times.

Day two had Jaap Flikweert giving a very interestingoverview of Dutch flood management strategies andtechnologies used, giving an insight into Europeanpractices. In the second presentation, Mark Adamson fromthe OPW went through the River Lee Monitoring project,giving an update on where Ireland stands and theimplications for local authorities of changed floodmanagement measures.

Attendees of the seminars on both days used thenetworking lunch afterwards to discuss in more detail whattechnologies have been used with success in othersituations and how these can be adapted to suit Ireland.

By Emma Noctor

The Climate Change Theatre at the Resource& Recover 2009 show sparked a lot ofinterest. Chaired by Tom Idle, editor ofmedia partner Sustainable Businessmagazine, the seminar programmepresented all exhibitors or visitors to theshow with a chance to network over issueswhich inevitably concern every business.

Presentations on day one discussed businesses’responsibility in the area of climate change and theimplementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) inbusiness strategies. The case study ImplementingSustainability at Adnams, presented by Dr Andy Wood,Managing Director at Adnams, a small brewery withassociated pubs and hotels in Suffolk, proved to beespecially popular.

Day two was dedicated to achieving zero carbon emissionhousing, and to efficient energy management in corporateenvironments and the freight sector.

• Emma Noctor was Marketing and EventsCoordinator for Resource & Recover 2009.

The Climate Change Theatre at Resource & Recover 2009, Simmonscourt, Dublin

Environews issue 17

Jaap Flikweert (Royal Haskoning) addressesthe local authorities flood management session.

Climate Change Theatre presentation.

‘Climate Change Theatre’ sessions

The theme of the water seminar this year was: Novelcontaminants in the Irish aquatic environment: identification,effects, treatment & regulation. The idea of the seminar is tobring scientists, industry and regulatory folk together tohighlight areas of environmental concern, their regulatoryimportance and methods developed and used to dealwith them.

This year, we managed to attract a very high calibre of bothnational and international speakers from Canada, Sweden,The Netherlands, UK and Ireland. The keynote speaker wasDr Francois Gagné of Environment Canada in Montreal,Canada, who gave an excellent overview of these novelcontaminants, their potential threat to the environment andhow Environment Canada is dealing with them.

On the regulation side we had Dr Ike Van Der Putt fromRPS in the Netherlands, who spoke about theimplementation of EU strategy for endocrine-disruptingcompounds, and Dr Ciarán O’Donnell from the EPA,discussing the selection process for relevant compounds forthe WFD. We also had speakers talking about the variousaspects of the biological effects of these novel contaminants(particularly endocrine-disrupting compounds andpharmaceuticals), their chemical analysis and variousmethods used for their treatment and removal.

All abstracts and presentations can be downloaded from theESAI website (www.esaiweb.org).

We are grateful to our sponsors Faversham House andEnviro Skillnet and particularly to the EPA for providing agrant to allow international speakers to travel to the event.

By Brian Quinn

Each year, the ESAI hosts a water seminaras part of the Resource Irish Water, Waste& Environment show held in the RDS,Dublin (see www.environment-ireland.com/IRISH/home.asp). This year, the event tookplace on 24-25th March in Simmonscourtand was organised by Brian Quinn ofGMIT, who is Honorary Secretary of ESAI.

Water Seminar at Resource ‘09ESAI hosts seminar at Resource Irish Water, Waste & Environment show

Environews issue 17

Pictured at Resource & Recover 2009 (L-R): Dr Andy Fogarty (AIT), Dr Robert Hannon (EI), Dr Brian Quinn (ESAI), Dr BillDoré (Marine Institute), Dr Susana Cristobal (Stockholm University, Sweden), Dr Rakesh Kanda (Severn TrentLaboratories, UK), Dr Francois Gagné (Environment Canada, Montreal), Dr Shirley Gallagher (Chairperson, ESAI).

Water conservation is the most cost-effective andenvironmentally friendly way to reduce our demand forwater, and is a key link between balancing current andfuture water needs. The available water conservationtechnology focuses on resources for local businesses,industries, communities and individuals. The roles ofgovernment and especially the private sector in watermanagement are being radically re-appraised.

The EU Water Framework Directive requires EU MemberStates to ensure, by 2010, that water-pricing policies

provide adequate incentives to use water resourcesefficiently and to recover the true costs of water services inan equitable manner. Most countries are progressingtowards water pricing systems. Investing in water supplyand sanitation has produced benefits far greater than thosedirectly related to the cost of treating water-related diseases.However, the main water loss from a water supply systemis caused primarily by leakages in the pipe system. Otherinfluences such as loose fittings and joints and water meterscan cause permanent loss.

The majority of the leakage was found since theintroduction of meters. In the rural areas in Ireland, most ofthe water consumption is for farming. Some farmers havelarge numbers of animals and use treated water for theirstock and for all farming purposes.

European household consumption is around 150-200 litresand the Irish consumption in urban areas is over 250 litres.In addition, recreational activities such as swimming pools,golfing and other sports contribute to putting pressure onwater resources. All of these customers currently are notpaying for the water they use. One of the biggest problemsis that there is not an incentive to control and save water forany of the categories users.

For further information on water conservation and pricing,visit www.sligowater.com.

By Miguel Angel Prieto Lage

Sligo County Council has launched a newwebsite providing very useful informationfor the public on water conservationand water pricing. The website, atwww.sligowater.com, can also beaccessed through the Water ServicesSection of Sligo County Council’swebsite, at www.sligococo.ie.

Water conservation website for Sligo

Environews issue 17

Lough Gill, County Sligo.

ESAI – Promoting Professional Development through Education · Environews Issue 17 Spring 2009...

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