RiverDipper Map

This map shows all of the results that have been collected by our RiverDip volunteers from across the North Sea Region and beyond. Below are a few pointers for understanding how the map works:

Each pin represents a single record uploaded via the RiverDip app. The pins are colour coded to reflect the level of phosphate found at that location. Five colours are used for five different levels: none, low, medium, high and ‘failed for one reason or another’.

Many of the records indicate low levels of phosphate or levels below what we can measure (shown as none on the map). In some areas, medium or high levels of phosphate are detected too. More often than not, these higher levels occur when sediment has been disturbed and the phosphate has been re-released into the water column, causing a temporary area of high phosphate concentration.

On the map there are a number of ‘failed devices’: these are tests that have not yielded any useful results. This can occur for various reasons, for example water may not have been able enter the PAD, a shadow across the image could distort the image analysis or the image could be obstructed by debris in the sample. In developing anything new, such as the RiverDip app, problems inevitably arise but lessons can be learned from them. That’s all part of the research!