README FILE
Dataset Title: GLA_ICW_WaterQuality_PFractionation_SedimentPSeqExtraction_Mar2025_v01

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Dataset
Glaslough Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) Water Quality, Phosphorus Fractionation, and Sediment Sequential Extraction Dataset (March 2025)

Date of Data Collection
March 2025

Location of Data Collection
Glaslough Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW), County Monaghan, Ireland

Keywords
Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs), phosphorus dynamics, phosphorus fractionation, sediment phosphorus, sequential extraction, wastewater treatment, nutrient dynamics, dissolved phosphorus, colloidal phosphorus, particulate phosphorus, ecological engineering, nature-based solutions

Data Collection and Analysis
Ayisha Affo Souleymane
PhD Researcher
School of Water, Energy and Environment
Cranfield University

Supervisory Institution
Cranfield University

Collaborating Organisation
Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)

Funding Source
This dataset was generated as part of a PhD research project investigating phosphorus dynamics, nutrient fractionation, sediment phosphorus storage, and treatment performance in integrated constructed wetlands.

METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Description of Dataset
This dataset contains primary field and laboratory monitoring data collected from the Glaslough Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) during March 2025.

The dataset integrates:

* water quality monitoring,
* phosphorus fractionation,
* nutrient analysis,
* and sediment sequential phosphorus extraction data.

The dataset was generated to investigate:

* phosphorus speciation,
* dissolved and particulate phosphorus dynamics,
* nutrient transformations,
* sediment phosphorus storage mechanisms,
* and long-term phosphorus retention processes within the integrated constructed wetland system.

Description of Data Collection
Water and sediment samples were collected from multiple monitoring locations throughout the treatment wetland system, including influent, internal wetland cells, and outlet locations.

Triplicate samples were collected where applicable.

Measured water quality parameters included:

* Total Phosphorus (TP)
* Total Reactive Phosphorus
* Filtered Total Phosphorus (0.45 µm)
* Orthophosphate Phosphorus (Ortho-P)
* True Dissolved Phosphorus
* Particulate Phosphorus
* Colloidal Phosphorus
* True Soluble Reactive Phosphorus
* Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
* Total Nitrogen (TN)
* Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4-N)
* Total Oxidised Nitrogen (TON/N)

Sediment analyses included:

* Total sediment phosphorus
* Sequential phosphorus extraction fractions
* Sediment metal concentrations
* Sediment carbon and nitrogen content

Analytical Methods

Water Quality and Phosphorus Fractionation
Water quality analyses were undertaken using standard laboratory analytical procedures.

Phosphorus fractionation was conducted using filtration and difference-based operational fractionation methods.

Operational phosphorus fractions included:

* Particulate phosphorus (>0.45 µm)
* Dissolved phosphorus (<0.025 µm)
* Colloidal phosphorus (calculated operational fraction)
* Soluble reactive phosphorus
* Orthophosphate phosphorus

Sequential Sediment Phosphorus Extraction
Sediment phosphorus fractionation was undertaken using sequential extraction procedures adapted from Golterman (1996) with modifications based on subsequent wetland phosphorus extraction methodologies.

Sediment samples were air dried, homogenised, and sieved prior to extraction.

Sequential extraction targeted operationally defined phosphorus fractions including:

* Labile phosphorus
* Fe/Al-bound phosphorus
* Ca-bound phosphorus
* Organic phosphorus
* Residual phosphorus

Extraction Procedures

1. Labile Phosphorus Extraction
   Labile phosphorus was extracted using deionised water under continuous agitation for a fixed extraction period.

2. Fe/Al-bound Phosphorus Extraction
   Iron and aluminium-associated phosphorus fractions were extracted using a calcium-EDTA and sodium dithionite reducing solution under alkaline conditions to release redox-sensitive phosphorus associated with Fe and Al oxides.

3. Calcium-bound Phosphorus Extraction
   Calcium-associated phosphorus was extracted using sodium-EDTA solution under acidic conditions to dissolve calcium-bound phosphorus minerals.

4. Organic Phosphorus Extraction
   Organic phosphorus fractions were extracted using alkaline digestion and acid extraction procedures to release phosphorus associated with organic matter.

5. Residual Phosphorus
   Residual phosphorus was calculated as the remaining phosphorus fraction following sequential extraction.

Metal and Nutrient Analysis
Sediment and water chemistry analyses were undertaken using standard spectrophotometric and instrumental analytical methods where applicable.

Experimental Conditions
Sampling was undertaken under operational full-scale wastewater treatment conditions during March 2025.

The dataset represents real-world treatment wetland hydraulic and biogeochemical conditions.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)

* Triplicate measurements were collected where applicable.
* Laboratory analyses followed standard analytical procedures.
* Filtration and extraction procedures were standardised across all samples.
* Samples and extracts were analysed using calibrated laboratory instrumentation.
* Data were checked for transcription and calculation errors prior to analysis.
* Missing values were retained as blank cells where applicable.

SHARING AND ACCESS INFORMATION

License and Restrictions
Dataset generated as part of doctoral research at Cranfield University in collaboration with Uisce Éireann.

Users should acknowledge both Cranfield University and Uisce Éireann where appropriate.

Associated Publications
This dataset contributes to ongoing PhD research examining phosphorus dynamics, sediment phosphorus storage, nutrient fractionation, and treatment wetland performance in integrated constructed wetlands.

Recommended Citation
Souleymane, A. A. (2026). Glaslough Integrated Constructed Wetland Phosphorus Dynamics Dataset (March 2025). Cranfield University.

FILE NAME STRUCTURE AND FORMAT

File Name
GLA_ICW_PDynamics_Mar2025_v01.csv

File Structure
Single comma-separated values (CSV) file containing water quality, phosphorus fractionation, and sediment sequential extraction data.

File Format
CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

Date Format
YYYY-MM-DD where applicable.

DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Dataset Description
The dataset contains primary water quality, phosphorus fractionation, and sediment phosphorus extraction measurements collected from multiple locations within the Glaslough ICW during March 2025.

Variable Definitions

Water Quality Variables

* TP = Total Phosphorus
* Total Reactive P = Total Reactive Phosphorus
* Filtered TP = Filtered Total Phosphorus
* Ortho-P = Orthophosphate Phosphorus
* True Dissolved P = Dissolved phosphorus fraction
* Particulate P = Particulate phosphorus fraction
* Colloidal P = Colloidal phosphorus fraction
* TOC = Total Organic Carbon
* TN = Total Nitrogen
* NH4-N = Ammonium Nitrogen
* TON/N = Total Oxidised Nitrogen

Sediment Variables

* Total Sediment P = Total sediment phosphorus concentration
* Labile P = Easily exchangeable phosphorus fraction
* Fe/Al-P = Iron and aluminium-bound phosphorus fraction
* Ca-P = Calcium-bound phosphorus fraction
* Organic P = Organic-associated phosphorus fraction
* Residual P = Residual phosphorus fraction
* Sediment Fe = Sediment iron concentration
* Sediment Al = Sediment aluminium concentration
* Sediment Ca = Sediment calcium concentration

Units of Measurement
All concentration data are reported in milligrams per litre (mg/L) for water samples and milligrams per gram (mg/g) for sediment fractions unless otherwise stated.

Missing Data Codes
Blank cells indicate unavailable or missing measurements.

Abbreviations

* ICW = Integrated Constructed Wetland
* TP = Total Phosphorus
* TOC = Total Organic Carbon
* TN = Total Nitrogen
* NH4-N = Ammonium Nitrogen
* Ortho-P = Orthophosphate Phosphorus
* Fe/Al-P = Iron and Aluminium-bound Phosphorus
* Ca-P = Calcium-bound Phosphorus

VERSIONING

Version
Version 1.0

Last Updated
2026-05-29

Change Log
Version 1.0 – Initial compilation and documentation of Glaslough ICW phosphorus dynamics dataset collected during March 2025.
