Nob End

[1] The waste, known as 'galligu', was a blue sludge (from reduced iron compounds) dominated by calcium sulphide and smelling of bad eggs.

[5] The surface of the waste has since weathered down to calcium carbonate, and calcicolous vegetation has colonised the site.

As natural limestone grassland does not occur in Greater Manchester, many of the species found are rare in the county.

[6][7] In 1936 a major breach in the now defunct Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal occurred east of the Nob End locks; it has never been repaired.

[8] There 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: The flora found on the site includes: many types of Orchid, Broomrape, Twayblade, Blue fleabane and Carline thistle.