Bridget Fox

Project Title: Assessment and impact of deposited sediment in rivers in Irish agricultural catchments

Overview: Bridget is investigating the way sediment is negatively impacting on river water quality. Fine sediment in particular can fundamentally alter river substrates, water quality and river ecology. In fact, recent research is suggesting that sediment may be the most damaging stressor that can impact rivers. Excessive fine sediment is mostly associated with agricultural activity so mitigating against sediment loss will benefit water quality as well as helping to preserve the quality of agricultural land.

With this research Bridget will be building on existing Teagasc research to explore sediment dynamics, ascertain the ecological impact of fine sediment on macroinvertebrates and she plans to be able to recommend the most efficient and cost-effective way to quantify fine sediment in the field.

Bridget has a B.Sc. in Zoology from UCD and an M.Sc. in Zoology from NUIG. She has experience in identification of macroinvertebrates and biological water quality monitoring. After taking some time to raise children, she is delighted to be back in the area she loves and to be doing something practical for the environmental cause.

When she is not busy with her studies or the kids, she loves to wild swim year-round in the rivers near where she lives

Programme Area: Environment, Soils and Land Use

Supervisors: Dr. Daire Ó hUallacháin, Dr. Per-Erik Mellander, and Prof. Mary Kelly-Quinn

Location: Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford

Funding Source: Teagasc