Scale appropriate modelling of diffuse microbial pollution from agriculture

Citation

Oliver D, Heathwaite AL, Fish R, Chadwick DR, Hodgson CJ, Winter M & Butler AJ (2009) Scale appropriate modelling of diffuse microbial pollution from agriculture. Progress in Physical Geography, 33 (3), pp. 358-377. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133309342647

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.

Keywords
diffuse pollution; faecal indicator organism; modelling; scale; stakeholder; end user; uncertainty; pathogen; Water quality management; Water pollution; Environmental Microbiology; Microbial ecology

Journal
Progress in Physical Geography: Volume 33, Issue 3

People

Professor David Oliver

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences