Microplastics found in every lake and river in Britain
Scientists sound the alarm as they discover even the remotest freshwater lochs contain contaminants
MICROPLASTICS are thought to be polluting every lake and river in Britain, scientists say, after a nationwide survey found particles in every sample.
Researchers at Bangor University and Friends of the Earth collected water from lakes, rivers, wetlands, reservoirs and lochs in England, Wales and Scotland, finding all contained plastics.
The Tame in Greater Manchester was found to be the most polluted river, with more than 1,000 particles per litre (ppl). Even the comparatively remote Loch Lomond had 2.4ppl, while Ullswater in the Lake District contained 29.5 ppl.
Dr Christian Dunn, of Bangor University, who led the research, said the findings suggested that microplastics should now be considered an emerging contaminant and that monitoring of all British waters for microplastics should be routine.
“It was more than a little startling to discover microplastics were present in even the most remote sites we tested – and quite depressing they were there in some of our country’s most iconic locations,” he said. “I’m sure Wordsworth would not be happy to discover his beloved Ullswater in the Lake District is polluted with plastic.
“It’s now clear that microplastics should be considered a serious emerging contaminant and there needs to be a concerted effort to regularly monitor all our inland waters for them.”
Every year more than 380 million tons of plastic are produced globally. At least 8 million tons end up in the sea.
It is feared there is now a 1:2 ratio of plastic to plankton and if left unchecked plastic could outweigh fish by 2050. In Britain, most plastic comes from inland waterways flowing into the coastal waters.
Researchers compiled the data using fluorescent lighting to identify and count microplastic pollutants of less than 5mm.
Julian Kirby, plastics campaigner at Friends of the Earth said: “The widespread contamination of our rivers and lakes with microplastic pollution is a major concern and people will understandably want to know what impact this could have on their health and the environment. Plastic pollution is everywhere – in our rivers, our highest mountains and our deepest oceans. We don’t yet fully know the dangers it presents to wildlife, ecosystems and human health.”
Kirsten Thompson, a lecturer in ecology at Exeter University, said: “Documentaries like Blue Planet have shown us just how detrimental plastic pollution is to marine wildlife, but we hope that our research will help uncover exactly where this plastic is coming from and what impact it may be having closer to home, on creatures such as otters, kingfishers and water voles.”
Fiona Nicholls, of Greenpeace, said: “More frightening facts seem to emerge about plastic pollution every month. It’s in our water, our food and the air.”