Privacy Policy

In order to take part in the Sullied Sediments RiverDip citizen science programme, we need to collect some details from you, including your name and email address, and photographs of the PAD tests you carry out, the environment surrounding the watercourse and the water quality of the samples you collect. You can withdraw your data at any time by contacting RiverDip@hull.ac.uk .

Definitions

Paper analytical device (PAD): The test PAD that is used to carry out the colourimetric test for water pollutants.

Data: The information collected by the Sullied Sediments project. This consists of recorder name, email address, username, GPS location, location name (water course), photograph of location surroundings, photograph of test PAD, photograph of the water sample, and a judgment on the colour of the results. No sensitive personal data will be requested during the activity.

Organisations: Organisations with full access to the data set are The University of Hull and Natural Apptitude. Other organisations, such as charities and government bodies and other universities involved in the Sullied Sediments project, may have limited accesses to a selection of the data (for example the results of the PAD tests and submitted records) but not any personal data. The results will be collected, analysed and shared publicly but this will not include any personal data.

What data will be collected?

To take part you will need to provide your name and an email address to create a username. Your name and email address will not be displayed anywhere on the website or RiverDip app. Your contact details will not be shared with anyone else, and the project will only contact you by email with the project newsletter, important project information, or if we need further details about one of your survey records. We need to know your GPS location when you take a measurement as this will help us map the presence of pollutants in waterways across the North Sea Region. Your results (excluding personal information) may be included on the Sullied Sediments online map which will allow people to see which watercourses have been surveyed and the results of the tests.

When completing a survey, you will need to provide details and photographs of the river you are surveying, and the results of the PAD tests you carry out. The date you submit the test data and the river location (GPS) will also be collected. The records shared will consist of the location, the levels of pollutants detected, the location conditions and the date you submitted the survey. These records will be available to the partner organisations involved in the Sullied Sediments project. Any data shared between partners or used as part of a dissemination event will never be linked to an individual’s record or personal information; records will be anonymised.

Where will the data be held and for how long?

Data submitted to the Sullied Sediments project will be held in several locations by the project team over the life of the project. Survey records are submitted via the app to a central storage location which is managed using Coreo – a secure online UK hosted database and user and record management system managed by the RiverDip app developer, Natural Apptitude. PAD test results, location and water quality images will be checked in Coreo by the Sullied Sediments Project Team at The University of Hull. PAD result images will also be transferred onto secure University of Hull computers where they will be analysed. Data will be stored in Coreo and the University of Hull system throughout the funded life of the project, and while the website remains active for five years after the conclusion of the project (a requirement of our funder). You are able to withdraw your data at any time, by contacting RiverDip@hull.ac.uk.

Who will have access to the data and for what purpose?

The Sullied Sediments Project Team at the University of Hull and Natural Apptitude will have access to the data submitted. Data will be verified by staff at the University of Hull before it is pooled and analysed to determine the presence of certain chemicals in river waters. Data may also be used to assess pollution distribution across the UK and the effect of seasonal environmental changes or changes in citizens’ behaviour. Findings will be presented in a range of outputs, potentially including academic journals, magazines, project summaries, blog posts, infographics, outreach STEM events and leaflets. Members of the general public will also have access, although their access rights will be restricted, so names will be concealed and location information limited.

Data Protection Agreement Statement

Under the terms of the Data Protection Act 2018 (“Act”), I consent for my data to be collected and shared with the organisations identified above. I am aware that my data will be processed in accordance with the Act for the purpose above and will be held securely. I am aware that my survey data will be shared and retained by the above organisations for a period of five years after the project has ended. I understand that I can withdraw this data by contacting RiverDip@hull.ac.uk in accordance to the Data Protection Act.

Contact by the Sullied Sediments Project

I consent to being contacted regarding the project newsletter, important project information, when requesting a new password, if further details are required regarding surveys and for project evaluation. I understand that I can withdraw my permission to be contacted by the project by emailing RiverDip@hull.ac.uk.

If you have any general concerns regarding the project you should contact fose.ethics@hull.ac.uk.