Outrage as plastic pollutes two thirds of water
Demands for action after contamination hotspots revealed
ALMOST two-thirds of Scottish waters are polluted by microplastics.
A new study estimates that half the fragments producing microplastics – pieces smaller than 5mm – came from the disintegration of bags and food containers, but may also be from products such as cosmetics designed to contain microbeads.
The six-year study showed the Clyde region was the most contaminated, particularly at the head of Loch Long, near Arrochar, Argyll.
The scenic spot, in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, is popular with tourists, and scientists believe higher microplastic levels in the water may be related to ‘beach debris’.
Park managers estimate that 80 per cent of marine plastic pollution is blown into the water from land.
Areas such as the Solway Firth, Argyll, West Highland and Forth and Tay all had ‘elevated’ levels of microplastics which can be harmful to fish and marine life, according to the report, funded by the Scottish Government and part of the core science programme of Marine Scotland Science.
The least contaminated areas were the Outer Hebrides, Orkney Islands, Shetland Isles, North Coast, the Moray Firth and the North East.
The report, Microplastics in Sea Surface Waters around Scotland, published in journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, said: ‘Microplastics were present in the surface waters of all Scottish marine regions and offshore marine regions, though almost 35 per cent of sample sites contained no microplastics.’
It added: ‘Fragmented plastics account for almost 70 per cent of the microplastics recovered from the sea surface from 2014 to 2020.
‘This may suggest that the microplastics in Scotland’s seas are predominantly from the breakdown of larger items.
‘The polymer composition of these fragments suggests that much of it may be due to the breakdown of consumer products such as bags, bottles and food containers.’
Friends of the Earth Scotland campaigner Sarah Moyes said: ‘These worrying figures show that microplastics are now present in the majority of Scottish waters.
‘To tackle the plastic crisis, we must significantly reduce plastic use and production in Scotland, and address the fact that Ineos in Grangemouth is producing billions of microplastics in the form of plastic pellets every single day.
‘The Scottish Government must move quickly to implement the ban on problematic single-use plastic items like plastic straws, balloon sticks and plastic cutlery, as well as introducing the Deposit Return Scheme for bottles and cans without any further delays.’
Nik Turner, litter prevention manager at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, said: ‘Through our Wild Park Biodiversity Action Programme, we work with partners to raise awareness and drive action on marine litter.
‘We regularly lead volunteer litter picks and beach surveys with the Marine Conservation Society, as well as supporting the actions of Marine Scotland to carry out mechanical clean-ups to scrape up fragmented and microplastics gathered at the head of Loch Long at Arrochar.
‘With an estimated 80 per cent of marine litter starting on land, the work we do to manage litter everywhere in the national park reduces the amount that might wash or be blown into lochs and rivers, therefore preventing it from entering the marine environment in the first place.’
Dr Madeleine Berg, projects manager at environmental charity Fidra, said: ‘This study adds to the growing evidence that microplastic pollution poses a risk to Scottish seas and vulnerable species. We must stop this pollution at source.’
The Scottish Government is seeking views on the draft regulations for introducing market restrictions – effectively a ban – for problematic single-use plastic items. It is open for responses until April 13.
‘Stop this pollution at source’