Paul Gaffney

I am currently a Hydrochemist at the ERI, working mainly with water chemistry analysis for wind farm developments. I undertake laboratory analysis of samples for water quality parameters, along with interpretative reporting of these results in the context of assessing land management effects and water quality targets.

Prior to this I undertook a PhD research project entitled “The effects of bog restoration in formerly afforested peatlands on water quality and aquatic carbon fluxes”. This research investigated the effects of conifer harvesting and drain blocking on pore water, stream and river water chemistry, along with measuring fluxes of aquatic carbon. I undertook weekly field sampling, hydrological measurements and lab work using a range of analytical techniques and this project involved collaboration with a range of landowners, stakeholders, fellow researchers and students in the wider Flow Country research hub. This work was carried out on the RSPB Forsinard Flows NNR, around the Dyke Forest, where restoration began in autumn 2014.

I have a background in Environmental Chemistry, which I studied at the University of Glasgow. Here my dissertation project was also looking at water quality draining disturbed peatlands, due to windfarm construction. I have also worked for KIMO, a marine pollution campaign group and studied Marine Science at Plymouth University, thus my research interests are strongly focused on water chemistry.