MATSIS - Method of Assessment of Trophic Status in the Irish Sea

The MATSIS project focused on the development of new techniques to facilitate comprehensive monitoring and assessment of trophic status (with respect to nutrient levels and primary productivity) in the Irish Sea. Through the examination of physical, chemical and biological parameters, it will contribute to our understanding of the driving forces of and controls on water quality. The project is testing several pieces of equipment for use in water quality monitoring (e.g. fast repetition rate fluorometer (FRRF) and pulsed amplitude modulation fluorometer (PAM) for measurements of primary productivity) and will relate measurements to remote sensing observations. The suitability of these techniques to end-user monitoring bodies will be assessed, with particular reference to the fulfilment of requirements under OSPAR and the Water Framework Directive (WFD).