Client: Kildare County Council
River Liffey at Saint Catherine’s Park, Co. Dublin, photo by John Brophy
In the period 2012-2014, BEC Consultants carried out ecological monitoring and mercury-in-biota sampling in the River Liffey. The macroinvertebrate community was sampled using standard methods at three locations and Q-values calculated for each. In addition to standard biological monitoring, samples of the freshwater shrimp Gammarus duebeni were collected and tested for mercury. Mercury levels were found to be well below the level specified in the discharge licence. White-clawed crayfish, lamprey and otter were all recorded on the River Liffey in the course of this monitoring programme.