European lakes potential hotspots of microplastic pollution
A study published today in the journal PLOS Biology suggests that human activity and land use in areas surrounding lakes drive significant microplastic pollution in lake water.
Researchers, led by Dr Andrew Tanentzap in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences, found that the concentration of microparticles - plastics and fibres - in lake water quadrupled in areas with more human activity, and doubled in areas with lower forest cover.
“Almost all attention on plastic pollution focuses on the oceans, but we have discovered that Europe's lakes - our drinking water sources – are similarly polluted by microscopic plastics and man-made fibres.” - TanentzapPlastic microparticles are ingested by a range of animals, including large vertebrates, and can deteriorate water quality.
However, little is known about how human activity affects the concentration of microparticles in lakes.
A study published today in the journal PLOS Biology suggests that human activity and land use in areas surrounding lakes drive significant microplastic pollution in lake water.
Researchers, led by Dr Andrew Tanentzap in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences, found that the concentration of microparticles - plastics and fibres - in lake water quadrupled in areas with more human activity, and doubled in areas with lower forest cover.
“Almost all attention on plastic pollution focuses on the oceans, but we have discovered that Europe's lakes - our drinking water sources – are similarly polluted by microscopic plastics and man-made fibres.”
- Tanentzap
Plastic microparticles are ingested by a range of animals, including large vertebrates, and can deteriorate water quality. However, little is known about how human activity affects the concentration of microparticles in lakes.
