Ecospan environmental limited has undertaken a wide variety of ecological surveys such as impact assessments in support of heavy industry, oil and petrochemicals, aggregate extraction, port and marina development, dredging operations and planning applications. We also undertake routine monitoring (e.g. with the EA and SEPA) as well as surveys in support of coastal resource use (e.g. Biotope mapping). We work all over the UK, but have particular experience of working in the Solway Firth, Firth of Forth, Tees estuary, Humber estuary, Thames, Severn estuary, Morecambe Bay and Mersey.
Ongoing Long Term monitoring programmes
Client
Type of work
Start date
Refinery
Southampton water - Impact assessment of the refinery's major discharges on the surrounding sub-tidal and inter-tidal sediments, fauna and saltmarsh.
2007
Pharmaceutical Company
Humber estuary - Ecological and physico-chemical monitoring of the estuary in the vicinity of the works discharge.
2005
Manufacturing Co.
Firth of Clyde - Biannual ecological assessment of the seabed near to the factory's outfall to show compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
2003
Agrochemical Company
Yalding - Annual ecological surveys in the River Medway to assess the effects of pesticide contamination on the fauna and flora.
1996
Chemical Company
Huddersfield - Tri-annual ecological surveys to assess the effects of the migration of contaminated groundwater from a large industrial site into the River Colne.
1993
Pharmaceutical Company
Montrose Bay - Annual sub/inter-tidal benthic surveys around the works discharge as part of the discharge consent.
1993
Fibres Company
Gloucester - Assessment of impact of surface water runoff on a local stream for Environmental Certification ISO 14001.
1991
Pharmaceutical Company
Morecambe Bay - Annual sub/inter-tidal benthic surveys around an aqueous discharge in support of IPPC consent to discharge in the vicinity of a European Marine Site.
1989
Industrial consortium
Fleetwood - Biannual inter-tidal benthic surveys in the Wyre Estuary to monitor the effects of multiple aqueous discharges.
1979
Chemical Companies
Solway Firth - Biannual inter-tidal surveys to monitor the effect of an industrial discharge on a European marine Site.
1977
Chemical Companies
Tees Estuary - Annual ecological surveys in Tees estuary to assess recovery following reduction in industrial emissions.
1977
BP, Avecia, SEPA Scottish Power
Firth of Forth - Annual ecological monitoring and impact assessment of effluent discharges as part of SEPA's Forth Estuary Environmental Assessment Programme.
1975
Mining company
Cleveland coastline - Annual sub-tidal benthic surveys around mining effluent discharge to monitor impact of spoil accretion.
1969
AstraZeneca
Severn Estuary - Annual monitoring of the impact of combined effluent discharges and improvements due to effluent treatment programmes.
1965
Individual Projects
Client
Type of work
Waste Company
Thames estuary - Ecological assessment of the impact of a landfill leachate discharge on inter-tidal mudflats (part of a cSPA, RAMSAR site and SSSI).
Devon County Council
Devon - Baseline survey of the contamination of the county's coastline as part of the Emergency Response to Coastal Oil and Inert Pollution from Shipping (EROCIPS) project.
Mining company
North East - Diving survey of the impact of the mine's effluent discharge and associated dredging activities on the fauna of nearby rocky areas.
Chemical company
Teeside - On site Direct Toxicity Assessment (DTA) and toxicity tracking of the company's aqueous waste streams.
Consultant
Thames estuary - Tracking of an effluent plume from a metal finishing company and sampling the receiving waters and sediments to make an assessment of potential heavy metal contamination.
Consultant
Devon - Sub-tidal benthic survey as part of an environmental impact assessment of a proposed development.
AstraZeneca
Brixham - Diving survey of the seawater intakes including the installation and removal of temperature datalogging devices.
Agrochemical Co.
Firth of Forth - Water and sediment collection in the estuary to relate measured concentrations of pesticides with derived EQS values.
Steelworks.
Severn estuary.- Ecological benthic reconnaissance of the area around an outfall as part of an IPPC application.
Paper Mill
Severn estuary.- Inter-tidal benthic survey and impact assessment of an outfall discharging into the Severn.
Countryside Council for Wales
Severn - Intertidal Biotope mapping in the Severn estuary using the hovercraft and RIB.
Consultant
Falmouth - Ecological environmental i mpact assessment of dredging operations as part of a proposed waterside development.
Consultant
Falmouth - Sub tidal, inter-tidal benthic & diving surveys prior to a commercial dockside redevelopment.
MoD
Tamar - Baseline evaluation of estuarine ecology before capital dredging operations.
AstraZeneca
Södertälje ( Sweden ) - Baseline ecological survey in Lake Malaren to monitor long-term impact of heavy metals in sediment.
Chemical Company
Rhone ( France ) - Ecological / toxicological investigation of the impact of a variable, buoyant effluent plume.
Chemical Company
Teeside - Ecological survey in a tributary of the River Tees and monitoring of recovery following a chemical spill.
Environment Agency
Poole - Assessment of the effects of algal mats on the underlying benthic fauna of the mudflats of an SPA and the implications for birds.
