The River Thames has some of the highest recorded levels of microplastics anywhere in the world, according to a new studies by researchers at Royal Holloway, University of London.
New investigations by researchers at the Department of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway reveal that microplastics are present in high quantities throughout the tidal Thames and are being ingested by wildlife.
Fibres from washing machine outflows and potentially from sewage outfalls, are most commonly ingested by wildlife, but fragments from the breakup of larger plastics – such as packaging items – are most abundant in the water. ‘Flushable’ wet wipes were found in high abundance on the shoreline forming “huge unsightly reefs”. Although pollution from trace metals is now on the decline, the contamination of the Thames by plastic is a major issue.
The researchers warn that a surge in use of single-use plastic during the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to be making the situation worse.
“The increased use of single-use plastic items…during the current Covid-19 pandemic, may well exacerbate this problem”
Professor Dave Morritt from the Department of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, said: “The increased use of single-use plastic items, and the inappropriate disposal of such items, including masks and gloves, along with plastic-containing cleaning products, during the current Covid-19 pandemic, may well exacerbate this problem.
“Thames Water has recently reported an increase in wet wipe-related blockages of sewer systems and when the Covid-19 restrictions on fieldwork are lifted, it would be interesting to find out the prevalence of these products in the River Thames.