Geological Survey

ASSESSMENT OF MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LEADING TO THREE MAJOR PEATLAND FAILURES IN LEITRIM, KERRY AND DONEGAL

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AIE2023112

AIE to request details of records received by the Dept under the following tender for services:

Provision of a detailed scientific assessment of peat land landslides in Leitrim, Kerry and Donegal

Services RFT30112020

Contracting authority: Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Contract Notice (eTenders)27/05/2021 20:00
Contract Award Notice (eTenders)31/08/2021 10:30

LITERATURE REVIEW OF CONDITIONING AND TRIGGERING FACTORS IN PEAT FAILURES

Keywords: Peat stability, peat failure, blanket bog, hydrology, ecology, conditioning, and triggering
factors.

IE_GSI_NPWS_Task1_LiteratureReview_FINAL_IE26_ReportDownload

MAIN FACTORS CONSIDERED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THREE MAJOR PEAT FAILURES IN 2020

Keywords: landslide, bogflow, bog slide, upland blanket peat, Ireland, forestry, rainfall.

Overview: Task 2 and 3 of the project involves a review of available data to determine the key contributory factors to three major landslides (peat failures) in upland blanket bog and afforested upland blanket bog that occurred in Ireland in 2020.

IE_GSI_NPWS_Task2_3_Peat Failures Causal Factors_FINAL_IE26_ReportDownload

POTENTIAL TO UPDATE NATIONAL LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAP

Keywords: Landslide, Peat failure, blanket bog, susceptibility, land use, human activity, Meenbog, Shass
Mountain, Mount Eagle

Task 4 of the project involves an assessment of the potential to update the National Landslide Susceptibility Map using data collated and analysed in this project. Review and assess whether areas of peatland within the study areas of this project, currently mapped as low to moderate susceptibility on the National Landslide Susceptibility Map, are likely to have a higher classification of susceptibility to landslides.

IE_GSI_NPWS_Task4_PotentialUpdateSusceptibilityMap_FINAL_IE26_ReportDownload

TECHNICAL NOTE: DATA GAPS RELATED TO IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND PLANNING

Keywords: EIAR, Blanket bog, Peat Stability, Ecosystem functioning, Hydrology/Hydrogeology

Task 5 of the project involves the identification of data gaps (with respect to peatland landslides and peat stability) related to impact assessments and planning associated with infrastructure developments and land use changes.

IE_GSI_NPWS_Task5_DataGaps_Impact Assessments_TechNote_FINAL_IE26_ReportDownload

TECHNICAL ADVISORY NOTE: IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE CHANGES ON PEAT STABILITY ON BLANKET BOG/PEATLAND HABITATS

Keywords: Blanket bog, peat failure, land-use

Task 6 of the project involves the assessment of potential impacts of land use changes on key
blanket bog features and properties, and directly or indirectly on peat stability

IE_GSI_NPWS_Task6_ ImpactofLandUseChangeonPeat_TechNote_FINAL_IE26_ReportDownload

PROJECT SUMMARY REPORT

Keywords: Landslide, bog flow, bog slide, Peat stability, Peat failure, Bogs, blanket peat, conditioning and
triggering factors, rainfall

Task 7 of the project involves the preparation of an overarching report detailing the findings of the literature review, methods, results discussion, conclusions, and recommendations of the study.

IE_GSI_NPWS_Task7_ AssessmentPeatlandFailures_ProjectSummary_FINAL_IE26_ReportDownload

Tellus Border and West Stream Water Data Analysis and Interpretation

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15 November 2021

Baseline geochemical analysis of stream water samples, collected from streams in the northern and western regions of Ireland, has been completed as part of the Tellus programme. Data analysis has been carried out to explore spatial and statistical patterns in the data relating to geology and human activity.

Univariate and multivariate analysis techniques, including Exploratory Data Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, Cluster Analysis and Random Forests have been undertaken and they demonstrate that there are coherent geochemical patterns related to underlying bedrock geology, subsoil composition and the influence of agriculture on water quality.

The findings are relevant for the assessment of substances of concern in the environment, including Specific Pollutants, Priority Substances and nutrients. They also show that stream water chemistry has the potential to be employed in mineral exploration.

The Executive Summary, Report and Appendices can be downloaded below:

Peer-reviewed paper on Tellus regional stream water geochemistry: environmental and mineral exploration applications can be found here.

Tellus Border and West Stream Water Data Analysis and Interpretation

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Baseline geochemical analysis of stream water samples, collected from streams in the northern and western regions of Ireland, has been completed as part of the Tellus programme. Data analysis has been carried out to explore spatial and statistical patterns in the data relating to geology and human activity. Univariate and multivariate analysis techniques, including Exploratory Data Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, Cluster Analysis and Random Forests have been undertaken and they demonstrate that there are coherent geochemical patterns related to underlying bedrock geology, subsoil composition and the influence of agriculture on water quality.

The findings are relevant for the assessment of substances of concern in the environment, including Specific Pollutants, Priority Substances and nutrients. They also show that stream water chemistry has the potential to be employed in mineral exploration.

The Executive Summary, Report and Appendices can be downloaded below:

tellus_stream_water_borderwest_exec_summary_final-1
tellus_stream_waters_borderwest_appendix_finalDownload
tellus_stream_water_borderwest_report_final-1Download

Groundwater Protection Scheme Reports

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A Groundwater Protection Scheme provides guidelines for the planning and licensing authorities in carrying out their functions, and a framework to assist in decision-making on the location, nature and control of developments and activities in order to protect groundwater. Use of a scheme will help to ensure that within the planning and licensing processes due regard is taken of the need to maintain the beneficial use of groundwater.

Groundwater Protection Schemes are county-based projects that are undertaken jointly between the GSI and the respective Local Authority. The groundwater protection scheme comprises two components:

  • A land surface zoning map (or maps) called the groundwater protection zone map, and
  • Groundwater protection responses for existing and new potentially polluting activities.

The role of the GSI is in the production of the land surface zoning map, whereas decisions on groundwater protection responses are the responsibility of the statutory authorities.

The risk to groundwater is defined through assessments of Groundwater Vulnerability, Aquifer potential , and Source Protection Areas. Datasets of vulnerability, aquifer potential, and source protection areas are generated by the GSI using field mapping in combination with readily available existing information and a limited amount of targeted drilling and testing. The vulnerability and aquifer datasets cover the entire land surface of a given area, while the source protection area datasets are specific to the catchments of selected groundwater supply sources. The three datasets are merged to produce Groundwater Protection Zones. Each zone is represented by a code (e.g. Rf/H), which enables an assessment of the risk to groundwater, independent of any particular hazard or contaminant type. This assessment should be regarded as a guide in evaluating the likely suitability of an area for a proposed activity prior to site investigations. 

Once the groundwater protection zone is defined for an area, the hazards posed by selected human activities can be evaluated to assess the appropriate risk management measures, or Groundwater Protection Responses, for these activities. The Groundwater Protection Responses, which are shown by a code (e.g. R2¹), indicate the likely degree of acceptability of each activity in that Groundwater Protection Zone. The full explanatory text for these response codes describes the investigations and planning or licensing conditions that may be necessary in order to make a balanced, pragmatic, scientifically defensible decision. Currently available codes cover:

Further details are available from the Groundwater Protection Schemes report published by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Environmental Protection Agency and Geological Survey of Ireland .  

Groundwater Protection Scheme Reports are available for certain counties to download as PDFs in the table below. The reports summarise the hydrogeology, aquifers, groundwater vulnerability and the groundwater use in a county at the time of the study.  Groundwater Water Quality Reports  give an overview of the main water quality issues in each county at the time of reporting. Please note N/A indicates Not Available.

​County​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Carlow​N/AN/A​
​Cavan​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​ClareGroundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Cork North​N/AN/A​
​Cork South​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Cork West​N/AN/A​
​Donegal​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​N/A
​Dublin​N/AN/A​
​Galway​N/AN/A​
​Kerry​Groundwater Protection Scheme ReportN/A
​Kildare​Groundwater Protection Scheme ReportN/A
​Kilkenny​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Laois​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Leitrim​N/AN/A​
​Limerick​Groundwater Protection Scheme ReportN/A
​Longford​N/AN/A​
Louth​N/A​N/A
​Mayo​N/AN/A​
​Meath​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​N/A
​Monaghan​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Offaly​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Roscommon​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Sligo​N/AN/A​
​Tipperary North​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report
​Tipperary South​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​N/A
​Waterford​Groundwater Protection Scheme ReportN/A
​Westmeath​N/AN/A​
​Wexford​N/AN/A​
​Wicklow​Groundwater Protection Scheme Report​Water Quality Report

Source Protection Zone Reports

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Source Protection Zone delineation provides an assessment of the land area that contributes groundwater to a borehole or spring. 

  • Source reports have been undertaken by Geological Survey Ireland on behalf of Local Authorities since the mid 1990’s. Since then, more than 120  have been completed.
  • A further 40 were completed by a CDM/TOBIN/OCM project team for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish Groundwater Source Protection Zones (SPZs) at monitoring points in the EPA’s National Groundwater Quality Network. These SPZs represent a continuation of GSI’s work, and follow the principles and methodologies set out in ‘Groundwater Protection Schemes’ (DELG/EPA/GSI, 1999) and in the GSI/EPA/IGI Training course on Groundwater Source Protection Zone Delineation (2007, 2009).
  • Other reports commissioned by Local Authorities from hydrogeological consultants are available from the relevant Local Authorities. 

The available reports are listed below in alphabetic order for each county.

Please note:

  • GWS stands for Group Water Scheme
  • N/A indicates Not Available
  • PWS stands for Public Water Supply
  • RWSS stand for Regional Water Supply Scheme
  • SPZ stands for Source Protection Zone

 Should you have any query in relation to these reports, email groundwaterinfo@gsi.ie .

​CountySource Protection Report​ (link to PDF)
​Carlow​N/A
​Cavan​Ballyconnell Lough Cuillaghan PWS Ballymachugh SPZ Bawnboy SPZ Kingscourt Descart Boreholes SPZ Kingscourt Mullantra Borehole SPZ
​Clare​Ballyvaughan SPZ Ennis Drumcliff Spring SPZ Ennis Pouladower Spring SPZ (not in use) Scarriff SPZ Whitegate SPZ
​CorkFermoy PWS Coolroe Infiltration Gallery and Borehole
​Cork North​Castletwonroche PWSS Conna (village bore) PWS Glanworth PWS Ballykenly Spring (Tobermore) Kildorrery PWS Glenavuddig Bridge Kilworth PWS Downing Bridge Mitchelstown (South) SPZ Mountnorth Spring and Borehole RWSS Oliver’s Cross PWSS Shanballymore Spring Cork North West (Doneraile) SPZ Watergrasshill PWS
​Cork South​Ballinspittle Garrettstown PWS Carrig na bFhear SPZ Carrignadoura SPZ Cloyne Aghada PWS Coachford PWS Crookstown (Bellmount BH2) SPZ Crookstown (Pound Cross BH1) SPZ Dower Spring (Whitegate RWSS) Grenagh PWS Minane Bridge PWS Robert’s Cove PWS
​Donegal​Ballyshannon PWS Carndonagh PWS Culdaff PWS Fanad North (Tri a Lough) Magherabeg Veagh PWS Pettigo PWS
​Dublin​Bog of the Ring PWS
​Galway​Dunmore Glenamaddy WSS Kilkerrin PWS MidGalway PWS Mountbellew PWS
​Kerry​Ardfert South Borehole PWS Ballyheigue PWS
​Kildare​Athy UDC WS Castlemitchell Churchtown Supply PWS Curragh Camp PWS Johnstown PWS Kilkea PWS Kilteel GWS Lipstown Narraghmore GWS Monasterevin PWS Rathangan PWS Robertstown PWS USK Gormanstown GWS
​Kilkenny​Ballyconra Boreholes Glanbia (Ballyragget) SPZ Bennettsbridge PWS Callan PWS Clifden Clara Boreholes SPZ Cuffesgrange Boreholes SPZ Glenmore PWS Graighenamanagh PWS Paulstown PWS Piltown Fiddown PWS Thomastown PWS Urlingford Johnstown PWS
​Laois​Ballyroan SPZ Cullahill SPZ Durrow (Convent) WSS Fermoyle PWS Knocks SPZ Kyle and Orchard Springs (Stradbally Ballylynan & Timahoe) PWS Lough PWS Portarlington WSS Killenard GWS Mountmellick Derrygile SPZ Portlaoise Meelick PWS Swan PWS
​Leitrim​N/A
​Limerick​Ardagh Ballingarry PWS Ballyagran Bruff PWS Bruree PWS Cappamore Faileen Bilboa PWS Cappamore SPZ Carrigkerry PWS Clouncagh PWS Croom PWS Doon Cooga Spring SPZ Fedamore PWS Glin PWS (not in use) Herberstown PWS Hospital PWS Kilcoleman PWS Knocklong Church Road (Borehole BH2) SPZ Knocklong Field (Borehole BH1) SPZ Martinstown Ballinvreena SPZ Mortlestown PWS Murroe PWS Pallasgreen (New) PWS Rockhill SPZ Tobergal (SW Region) PWS
​Longford​Newtown Cashel Spring SPZ
​Louth​Ardee Curraghbeg Borehole PWS Ardtullybeg PWS Ballymakenny Boreholes GWS Collon Boreholes PWS Cooley Carlingford Boreholes PWS Drybridge Borehole PWS Killineer Borehole PWS Omeath Esmore Bridge Borehole PWS Omeath Lislea Cross Borehole PWS Termonfeckin Borehole PWS
​Mayo​Killasser Springs SPZ Kilmaine PWS Swinford PWS and Killaturly GWS
​Meath​Athboy Ballivor Curragha Dunboyne Dunshaughlin Enfield Borehole SPZ Longwood Borehole SPZ Nobber Slane Trim Borehole SPZ
​Monaghan​Clones PWS Scotshouse Boreholes Monaghan PWS
​Offaly​Agall Spring SPZ Ballinagar GWS and Geashill PWS Ballyboy GWS Banagher WSS Clontotan Boreholes Clonbulloge PWS Daingean PWS Dunkerrin PWS (Jone’s Well) Dunkerrin PWS (Village Well) Edenderry Kishawanny Bridge Borehole Ferbane PWS Hollimshill PWS Kilcormac PWS Killeigh and Meelaghans GWS Killeigh Danganbeg Spring GWS Kinnity PWS Ballyshane Bridge Lisduff Dunkerrin PWS Lisduff Well Lisduff Dunkerrin PWS Guilfoyles Well Moneygall PWS Mountlucas GWS Rath Shinrone Niamh’s Well Boreholes Toberdaly PWS Tullamore Ardan Boreholes Tully Walsh Island PWS
​Roscommon​Ballinlough WSS Ballybane Springs Boyle Ardcarn Rockingham Spring Castlerea WSS Longford Spring and Silver Island Spring Killeglan Tobermore Spring Knockcroghery Lecarrow Toberreeoge Spring SPZ Mount Talbot Cloonlaughnan Springs Roscommon Central Regional WSS Ballinagard Spring
​Sligo​N/A
​Tipperary North​Aglish Borrisokane PWS Borrisoleigh PWS Glenbeha Springs SPZ Ironmills PWS Kilmakill Moyne SPZ Lorrha Templederry PWS Templemore Tobernaloo PWS Toomyvara PWS Two Mile Borris PWS
​Tipperary South​Fethard Coalbrook PWS Kilcoran SPZ
​Waterford​Ardmore Ballyrohan PWS Cappoquin PWS
Dungarvan PWS Grange PWS Kilmacthomas Ballyogarty Borehole SPZ Lismore Cappaquin Ballyduff Ballyhane Borehole SPZ Poulbagunoge PWS
​Westmeath​N/A
​Wexford​Carrigbyrne Coolgreany Boreholes SPZ Enniscorthy Edermine Borehole SPZ Kilmuckridge Ballygarran II Borehole SPZ
​Wicklow​Baltinglass Blessington Gravel Aquifer Redcross PWS Roundwood PWS

Tellus Geochemistry – Stream water (Geological Survey of Ireland)

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The latest stream waters data from the Tellus project, managed by the Geological Survey Ireland. The stream water samples were analysed for 66 different elements by: pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity (bicarbonate); organic carbon (NPOC) analyser; ion chromatography; ICP-MS. The survey was conducted on foot; samples were collected approx. every 4 km from first and second order streams. Stream sediment samples were also collected at each site.


The following elements were analysed: Aluminium, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bicarbonate, Bismuth, Boron, Bromide, Cadmium, Caesium, Calcium, Cerium, Chloride, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluoride, Gadolinium, Gallium, Hafnium, Holmium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Nitrate, Nitrite, Organic carbon, Orthophosphate, pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Praseodymium, Rubidium, Samarium, Selenium, Silicon, Silver, Sodium, Specific electrical conductivity, Strontium, Sulphate, Sulphur, Tantalum, Terbium, Thallium, Thorium, Thullium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Uranium, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium (NPOC, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, Br-, NO2-, HPO42-, F-, Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Nb, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, U)

The current coverage includes: Tellus Border survey block (2011-2013, Co Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth) Data downloads are delivered in Irish National Grid, all webservices have been converted to Irish Transverse Mercator.

https://data.gov.ie/dataset/tellus-geochemistry-stream-water?package_type=dataset