Blelham Tarn Water Quality and Phytoplankton Data for 2025

Fortnightly measurements from 2025 of surface temperature, oxygen, water clarity, and chemistry from Blelham Tarn in Cumbria, England. The data have been collected by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology as part of a long-term monitoring program that began in 1945 for some variables. Water chemistry values below the detection limit are flagged, and limits of detection for some nutrients are reviewed annually.

Use Cases

• Modeling phytoplankton chlorophyll a (TOCA) dynamics based on nutrient concentrations like phosphorus (TOTP) and nitrogen (TON, NH4N).
• Analyzing seasonal trends in water clarity (Secchi depth) and surface temperature from a temperate lake.
• Investigating correlations between water chemistry parameters such as alkalinity, pH, and dissolved silicon (SIO2) with phytoplankton biomass.
• Assessing the impact of sampling location (buoy vs. shore) on integrated water sample measurements, as indicated by Flag 2.

Strengths

• Data collection began in 1945 for some variables, providing a long-term ecological context.
• Includes 12 distinct water quality and biological variables measured at a fortnightly frequency.
• Specific detection limit flags and annual review of limits for key nutrients are documented.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The dataset is embargoed until May 8, 2026, restricting immediate access.

Provenance

Source

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)

Collection Method

Fortnightly sampling from a boat at a marked buoy or from the shore, with water samples integrated from 0 to 5 meters.

Time Range

January 2025 to December 2025

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 12:09:24.132465; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Blelham Tarn, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom