Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Using an innovative Catchment Nutrient Balancing (CNB) approach to improve river water quality: A case study from rural sub catchment in Cumbria, United Kingdom

Nalika S Rajapaksha, Amina Aboobakar, James Airton, Nick A. Chappell, Nick Hibbert, David Mindham, Andy Dyer

Water Research · 2025

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This case study demonstrates the application of Catchment Nutrient Balancing as an integrated approach to mitigating agricultural nutrient runoff and improving river water quality in a Cumbrian sub-catchment. The CNB methodology as suggested by this work represents a systems-level intervention linking farm-scale nutrient management to catchment-wide water quality outcomes. The findings contribute to understanding how nutrient cycling can be optimised at catchment scale to meet water quality objectives.

UK applicability

This research is directly applicable to UK water management policy and practice, particularly under the Environment Act 2021 and Water Environment Regulations. The Cumbrian case study provides actionable evidence for catchment partnerships and agricultural advisory services seeking to improve water quality in similar upland and lowland mixed-farming systems across the United Kingdom.

Key measures

River water nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus species); catchment nutrient balance; water quality indices

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated the application of a Catchment Nutrient Balancing (CNB) approach to reduce nutrient loading and improve water quality in a rural sub-catchment. The research measured changes in river water quality metrics in response to nutrient management interventions.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil fertility & nutrient management
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.watres.2025.123586
Catalogue ID
SNmp2b1vux-7atxly

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.