Crown

Since 2001 surface water samples have been collected from Scottish coastal and offshore waters during January, and have been analysed for nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate and ammonia) with the aim of establishing regional background nutrient concentrations and contributing towards an assessment of the eutrophication status of Scottish coastal and offshore waters.

Surface water samples were collected at 15 minute intervals from the non-toxic water supply of FRV Scotia IV, during the MSS CSEMP cruise. The input for the non-toxic water supply is situated on the hull of the ship at a depth of ~ 4.5 m. Water samples were analysed at sea within 10 hours of collection (where possible) using a Bran & Luebbe QuAAtro continuous flow autoanalyser. The method for analysis of nutrients in seawater is accredited to ISO17025 standards by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.

Nutrient data can be assessed against assessment criteria established by OSPAR as indicators of nutrient enrichment (OSPAR 2005). Background levels (or concentrations) and assessment levels (50% above background levels) are used to assess nutrient concentrations; concentrations above the assessment level may lead, in time, to an undesirable disturbance to the marine ecosystem.

The historic university town layer consists of 1 coastal locality characterized by the presence of a university. This is characterized on the basis of their census based socio-economic and demographic characteristics. This is the second stage of a based on a two-stage cluster analysis of coastal localities (defined as within 2 kilometres of the coast) with populations of greater than 1000 (for reasons of confidentiality).

This town has been characterised by high levels of accommodation/food services and education industry employment. Low levels of both fulltime employment, and unemployment. There is a high population of students (and ages 16-24), and managerial and professional workers with a high qualification profile, and low deprivation. There is low numbers of over 45’s and fewer families than in other clusters. The housing sector is dominated by private rented.

The Military Families layer consists of two coastal localities with military bases.

This is characterized on the basis of their census based socio-economic and demographic characteristics. This is the second stage of a based on a two-stage cluster analysis of coastal localities (defined as within 2 kilometres of the coast) with populations of greater than 1000 (for reasons of confidentiality).

This cluster represents just 2 coastal localities which are dominated by defence employment. This is evidence of their proximity to military bases which is evident in commuting variables where they are highest in work within 10 kilometres. Full time employment is high with indicators relating to economically inactive as well as characterised as low for deprivation. Highest for Middle range qualifications (level 1+3) are expected here. Below average number of people employed in unskilled or manual jobs, with higher working aged between 16 and 44. There are high amounts of couples with children and private rented housing which would be in line with families employed in defence.  High proportions of ‘multi-households other’ which may reflect barrack accommodation.

This data layer shows the different types of coastal town on the basis of their census based socio-economic and demographic characteristics. This is based on a two-stage cluster analysis of coastal localities (defined as within 2 kilometres of the coast) with populations of greater than 1000 (for reasons of confidentiality).

The Level 1 Typology was created using data drawn from 15 variables of the demographic, socio-economic, health and mobility indicators of the 2011 Scottish Census (e.g. age, household composition, self-rated health, industry, deprivation indicator, distance to work).

This yielded five different groups:

1. Military families
2. Peripheral fishing and port towns
3. Industrial roots
4. Historic university
5. Linked later-life localities

146 of 149 identified localities are made up of the three main groups:  “Peripheral Port and Fishing Towns,” “Industrial roots,” and “Linked Later‐life localities". The two outlying groups “Military Families” and “Historic University Town” together account for the remaining three localities.

The labels given to these groups are data driven descriptions which coincide predominantly with economic narratives explaining Scotland's coastal population.  

The West Highlands, the North Coast, and Islands communities feature prominently within Peripheral Fishing and Port towns; the high concentration of Industrial Roots around the central belt; and the Linked Later‐life Localities coalesce around Scotland's four main cities: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.