Alarming levels of microplastics have been found in major rivers across Europe, according to a joint study of 14 studies published today. The pollution is present in all European rivers that were examined, said French scientist Jean-François Guillon, who coordinated the extensive study, which was carried out on nine major rivers, from the Thames to the Tiber.
European rivers have been found to contain an average of three microplastic particles per cubic meter of water, which scientists consider an alarming indicator of pollution, the scientific journal reported, AFP reported. However, this is still less than in the world’s most polluted rivers, such as the Yellow River, Yangtze, Mekong and Ganges, where up to 40 microplastic particles per cubic meter have been found. These rivers flow through countries that produce the largest amounts of plastic or where it is processed – by recycling or incineration.
In the French city of Valence, which is located on the Rhône River, the water flows extremely fast, and because of this flow, a large amount of plastic particles constantly pass through the river. Guillon said that every second, about 3,000 tiny pieces of plastic pass by a point in the river, while the Seine in Paris records about 900 particles in the same time interval.
The samples were collected at the mouths of the Elbe, Ebro, Garonne, Loire, Rhone, Rhine, Seine, Thames and Tiber rivers, and a group of 40 scientists – chemists, biologists and physicists – from 19 research laboratories worked on them. The researchers also discovered unused plastic beads, or raw granules used in the production of plastic products.
One study showed the presence of virulent bacteria on microplastics from the Loire River, capable of causing infections in humans. Guillon, whose team works as part of an international scientific coalition engaged in United Nations negotiations on reducing plastic pollution, emphasizes that it is necessary to significantly reduce the production of primary plastics, because the direct link between production and pollution is undeniable.
Among the unexpected discoveries, the fact that a quarter of microplastics found in rivers does not come from waste, but from industrial plastic pellets, stands out. These granules, also known as “mermaid’s tears”, can often be found scattered along beaches, especially after maritime incidents.
Photo: illustration
