Nob Endis the site of a former waste tip which is now aSite of Special Scientific Interest[1][2]andLocal Nature Reserve[3][4]nearLittle LeverandKearsley,inGreater Manchester,England.
History
editStanding at the confluence of theRiver IrwellandRiver Croalthe site was used around 1850-70 as a tip for toxic alkaline waste from the production ofsodium carbonate(soda ash) by theLeblanc process.[1] The waste, known as 'galligu', was a blue sludge (from reduced iron compounds) dominated bycalcium sulphideand smelling of bad eggs.[5]The surface of the waste has since weathered down tocalcium carbonate,andcalcicolous vegetationhas colonised the site. As natural limestone grassland does not occur in Greater Manchester, many of the species found are rare in the county.[1]
The 8.8hectare(21.7 acres)site became aSSSIin 1988, and aLocal Nature Reservein 2000.[6][7]
In 1936 a major breach in the now defunctManchester Bolton & Bury Canaloccurred east of the Nob End locks; it has never been repaired.[8]
Habitats
editThere are a number of different habitats on the site, the creation of which were dependent upon: the type of waste deposited, the pattern of deposition and the nature of the underlying substrate:
Flora
editThe flora found on the site includes: many types ofOrchid,Broomrape,Twayblade,Blue fleabaneandCarline thistle.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abc"Nob End citation"(PDF).Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England.
- ^"Map of Nob End".Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England.
- ^"Nob End".Local Nature Reserves. Natural England.
- ^"Map of Nob End".Local Nature Reserves. Natural England.
- ^Shaw, PJA; Halton, W (1998). "Classic sites: Nob End".British Wildlife.10:13–17.
- ^Anon."File SD 70/2: Nob End"(PDF).Retrieved18 February2012.
- ^abRichardson, Derek."Grasslands"(PDF).Habitat Action Plan 2009.Greater Manchester Biodiversity Project.Retrieved18 February2012.
- ^Pennine Waterways
- ^Gemmell, R.P.; Crombie S.A. (1975). "Management of waste tips for enhancement of landscape quality".Landscape Research.1(1): 10–11.doi:10.1080/01426397508705789.