The Surface Waters Acidification Project Palaeolimnology Programme: modern diatom/lake-water chemistry data-set

In 1983, when the Surface Waters Acidification Programme (SWAP) was announced, we were asked to design and implement a palaeolimnology sub-project involving scientists from Sweden, Norway, and the UK. Our aim was to reconstruct the acidification history of a range of sites in the three countries and to identify and evaluate the various alternative causes of lake acidification. The results of the project have been published recently (Battarbee et al. 1990, Renberg and Battarbee 1990). Although a comprehensive range of palaeolimnological methods and approaches was used in the study we recognised diatom analysis as central to the entire project. We consequently committed considerable effort to improving our diatom methodology and we were especially concerned with the pursuit of a common approach to diatom taxonomy and pH reconstruction. This effort centred on the creation and analysis of a large data-set of surface-sediment diatom assemblages and associated environmental variables from 170 sites representing the full range of lake types in the acid-sensitive and acidified regions of the three countries

Lake Acidification in the United Kingdom II. A preliminary report to the Department of the Environment under Contract PECD 7/10/167

This report summarises progress made in Department of the Environment project PECD 7/10/167 - "causes and extent of lake acidification in the United Kingdom". It includes data and results available at the present time and indicates where work is still in progress. We expect that all work will be completed on schedule and that a final report will be issued shortly after completion of the contract (March 31st 1990)

The distribution of nitrate in UK surface waters and its implication for calculating critical loads: a preliminary assessment

Although increased nitrogen deposition is likely to have most serious consequences for soils and vegetation in the United Kingdom, surface waters are also affected, especially in areas of very high N deposition and where uptake by vegetation is reduced. In these areas high nitrate levels contribute significantly to lake acidity and may independently cause changes to the structure of aquatic communities

UK Acid Water Monitoring Network: 15 Year Report. Analysis and interpretation of results: April 1988 - March 2003

This report summarises the findings of the UK Acid Waters Monitoring Network (AWMN) 15 year data interpretation exercise. The AWMN is funded by the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. The report also incorporates an analysis of data collated by the UK Acid Deposition Network (ADN) run by NETCEN