A new international study has found that the concentration of plastics and microplastics in some lakes is worse than in ‘garbage patches’ of oceans, and debris is reaching the most remote places of the world.
A new international study has found that the concentration of plastics and microplastics in some lakes is worse than in ‘garbage patches’ of oceans, and debris is reaching the most remote places of the world.
The research, published in the journal Nature, involved institutes from across the world including the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).
Scientists collected water samples from 38 lakes and reservoirs in 23 countries across six continents, representing different environmental conditions. Samples were then sent to the University of Milan-Bicocca for analysis for the presence of plastic particles over 0.25mm in size.
Read more at: UK Center for ecology & Hydrology
Lakes containing the highest contamination by plastic included Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. (Photo Credit: Paulette Burns)
