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Scale appropriate modelling of diffuse microbial pollution from agriculture.

Oliver, David M. and Heathwaite, A. Louise and Fish, Rob D. and Chadwick, David R. and Hodgson, Chris J. and Winter, Michael and Butler, Allan (2009) Scale appropriate modelling of diffuse microbial pollution from agriculture. Progress in Physical Geography, 33 (3). pp. 358-377. ISSN 1477-0296

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Abstract

The prediction of microbial concentrations and loads in receiving waters is a key requirement for informing policy decisions in order to safeguard human health. However, modelling the fate and transfer dynamics of faecally-derived microorganisms at different spatial scales poses a considerable challenge to the research and policy community. The objective of this paper is to critically evaluate the complexities and associated uncertainties attributed to the development of models for assessing agriculturally derived microbial pollution of watercourses. A series of key issues with respect to scale appropriate modelling of diffuse microbial pollution from agriculture are presented and include: (i) appreciating inadequacies in baseline sampling to underpin model development; (ii) uncertainty in the magnitudes of microbial pollutants attributed to different faecal sources; (iii) continued development of the empirical evidence base in line with other agricultural pollutants; (iv) acknowledging the added-value of interdisciplinary working; and (v) beginning to account for economics in model development. It is argued that uncertainty in model predictions produces a space for meaningful scrutiny of the nature of evidence and assumptions underpinning model applications around which pathways towards more effective model development may ultimately emerge.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Progress in Physical Geography
Additional Information:
The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Progress in Physical Geography, 33 (3), 2009, © SAGE Publications Ltd, 2009 by SAGE Publications Ltd at the Progress in Physical Geography page: http://ppg.sagepub.com/ on SAGE Journals Online: http://online.sagepub.com/
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/ge
Subjects:
Departments:
Faculty of Science and Technology > Lancaster Environment Centre
ID Code:
26707
Deposited By:
Dr David M Oliver
Deposited On:
30 Jun 2009 13:41
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
26 May 2022 00:09
URI:
https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/26707

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