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Introduction
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Falmouth Field Course 2016


Welcome to Group 1’s summary of the biological, chemical and physical data collected in the Fal Estuary between 20th June and 2nd July 2016. This survey forms the most recent part of a data set spanning more than a decade collected by Marine Biology and Oceanography students of the University of Southampton.

Figure 1: A map of the locations sampled between 20/06/2016 and 25/06/2016 (Google Maps[1])


Characteristics of the Fal Estuary

Falmouth is located at the mouth of the river Fal in South Cornwall, England. There are 6 major tributaries and 28 minor creeks and rivers flowing into the river [2]. The Fal estuary can be split into two sections, the inner tidal tributaries and outer tidal basin known as Carrick Roads, which is a ria creating a natural harbour [3]. A ria is a drowned river valley with open access to the sea.  The river Fal is mesotidal and has a tidal range of about 2.5m.


The Fal and Helford estuaries form a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) [4] protecting several habitats including maerl bed communities, seagrass beds and intertidal mudflats, all of which provide different niches for organisms living in the Fal and Helford estuaries.


The Fal estuary is impacted by anthropogenic influences. In January 1992, the Wheel Jane mine flooded, causing a major pollution event. This resulted in acidic high metal load water being discharged into the Restronguet Creek [5], which may have affected the biology in the surrounding area. The Fal estuary is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and is used for shipping with cargo ships going far up the river.



Figure 2: A map of the Fal Estuary [8]
Disclaimer: All the opinions expressed in this site are that of Group 1 and not necessarily the University of Southampton or the National 
Oceanography Centre, Southampton.