EMPIRE Project DCU

The WHO has estimated that antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. The presence of antibiotics in wastewater and rivers will only increase our environmental exposure to resistant bacteria. Source: who.int/news/item/29-0…

This is a nice exercise developed by the RSC for school children that is based on our PNAS paper edu.rsc.org/science-resear…

I hope more people get out and look at our rivers, you'd be supprised how much life you see. Of course only if the rivers water quality is suitable for life. "The truth is that we will never save wildlife by killing it" - Steve Irwin @EMPIRE_DCU #protectourrivers

Yesterday was a great day for river water sampling. These samples will go on to help build a profile on the global presence of pharmaceuticals in rivers. See here for more ⬇️ globalpharms.org @EMPIRE_DCU @DCUWater @John_Wilkinson4 @AlistairBoxall #globalpharms

Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants in the aquatic ecosystem with adverse effects in non-target species. @DcuBiotech's Hannah Moynihan presents at #Environ2022 her undergrad research project on the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in key species.

Got this sent in, some beautiful swans and cygnets swimming on top of the Diesel (not very visible here). What a great way to show our appreciation for the environment 🙃 #ryeriverpollution

#ryeriverpollution continuation, after all the issues raised with the "wastewater" pollution event what do we have now, a diesel spill in the Rye River. How much more can this river and it's aquatic life take. Absolutely rediculous. Photo credit: Deirdre Hannigan

Huge congratulations to @scoilchiarain1 I was delighted to do some chemistry experiments with the wonderful pupils there recently @DCUChemistry @giordanisilvia @DaireKeogh @eilishmclough

UPDATE on #ryeriverpollution I am dropping off my sample to an independent lab next week. Due to sample volume constraints and the personal costs associated with private testing only the below parameters will be examined. I will share the results without interpretation. (1/3)

@Dylan_OFlynn @kfmradio @RTERadio1 @EMPIRE_DCU @DCUWater @joeneville2010 @CathMurphyTD @ReadaCronin I was just down at the river and its disappointing that the river looks so dirty, aside from the dead fish still floating in it, I thought that todays rain would have had a cleansing effect. Should the river have cleansed itself by now assuming the source of pollution stops???

The #ryeriverpollution means that years of work to improve Rye River water quality was destroyed overnight. It'll take another few years of intensive restoration work to get it back to what it was. What an environmental catastrophe! Thanks @LiffeyChamp for highlighting this.

If you missed this mornings interview on the #ryeriverpollution, you can catch it here. We must set a precedent for would be polluters and let them know that there will be severe consequences for criminal negligence. @EMPIRE_DCU @DCUWater @CathMurphyTD @joeneville2010

@DCUWater @IrishWater @EPAIreland From what I heard, preliminary tests from governmental agencies show toxic levels of ammonia and an increase in water temperature by 15 degrees (at source location, not the river). Crazy pollution.

Thanks @kfmradio and @RTERadio1 for taking the time to highlight the major fish kill in the Rye River. #saveourrivers #ryeriverpollution @EMPIRE_DCU @DCUWater @joeneville2010 @CathMurphyTD @ReadaCronin

We know chemicals in our water have health impacts. #zeropollution not achievable if we ignore the problem of sources and uses. #GreenDeal @greenparty_ie @EPAIreland @IrishTimes @MarineInst @imogen_hands @EMPIRE_DCU another #silentspring theguardian.com/environment/20…

@CathMurphyTD @willmurphy29 @DCUWater @IrishWater @EPAIreland @InlandFisherIE There isn't a wastewater treatment plant discharging into the area. More work is needed into placing fail safes for containing sewage if there is a malfunction in the sewage line. Otters, mink, fish, birds, dogs, deer, invertebrates and swimming kids will all be affected.

Major discoloration of the river and scum buildup near the aquaduct

It will take years for the river to recover from this. This should not be happening. #pollution #protectourrivers

Major fish die off in the Rye river near Confey. River pollution to this level is not acceptable. This region is a salmon spawning site trout nursery. We need to address this problem. @DCUWater @IrishWater @EPAIreland

Its the last day of #SETACCopenhagen! Today I'm presenting my poster (no. 104) on four years of Watch List monitoring in Ireland - come check it out 😊