|
Strangford Lough is a large
marine inlet situated on the
east coast of Northern
Ireland. It has two major
freshwater sources: the
Comber and Quoile rivers.
Almost land-locked, the
lough is connected to the
Irish Sea by the Strangford
narrows.
Characteristics
|
Volume
(millions m3) |
Total area
(km2) |
Maximum depth
(m) |
Catchment area
(km2) |
Temperature range
(ēC) |
Mean salinity |
Water residence time
(days)*
|
River flow (m3s-1) |
|
1 537 |
149 |
59 |
772 |
2-19 |
33 |
4-28 |
3.5 |
* Calculated as the e-folding time using the Delft3D circulation model
Nutrients
|
Mean nutrient
concentration (μmol
l-1) |
Nutrient load (ton
year-1) |
|
Ammonium |
Nitrate |
Phosphorus |
Silicate |
Nitrogen |
Phosphorus |
|
2.8 |
13.5 |
2 |
4.3 |
1 202 |
126 |
Aquaculture
|
Licensed sites |
22 (only 12 are
producing) |
|
Total aquaculture
area (km2) |
3.9 |
|
Species |
Mussels, oysters and
scallops |
Conservation
MNR Marine Nature Reserve
ASSI - Area of Special
Scientific Interest
AONB Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty
SAC Special Area of
Conservation
SPA Special Protection
Area |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
