%0 Generic
%A Mitchell, L
%C London, UK
%D 2013
%F discovery:10114770
%I UCL Environmental Change Research Centre
%N 157
%T Assessment of salmon spawning gravel in the River Frome, Gloucestershire
%U https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10114770/
%X Three gravel freeze cores were extracted from each of three sites, identified as potentially  suitable for salmon (Salmo salar, L.) spawning, on the River Frome. A quantitative assessment  of the capacity of these gravel beds to support effective spawning was made based on the  composition of the sampled substrata. Examined sediment size ranges included: optimum  spawning gravel (16 > D > 64 mm), fine sediment (D <1 mm ), coarse sand (2 mm > D ≥ 1 mm)  and clay (D < 4 µm). A threshold limit of 14% of sediment D <1 mm was used. Results  indicated that optimum spawning gravel occurred at all sites in varying amounts. The  distribution of these, however, were within the smaller size range suitable for spawning.  Moreover, significant deposits of sediment D <1 mm limit potential spawning quality at all  sites. The overall composition of substrata at Button Mill offers the best potential spawning  habitat of the identified sites.