Microplastic pollution so rife in UK rivers one tops Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Microplastic pollution is so rife in our rivers that one tops the notorious Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

The Mersey did worst in a study of 13 with 942 plastic pieces in two samples.

Greenpeace estimates it contains more than two million pieces of microplastic per square metre – against a 2014 estimate of a million in the global black spot of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Water samples were taken across the UK (PA)

Water samples were collected at 30 points on the Mersey, Exe, Thames, Severn, Great Ouse, Trent, Aire, Derwent, Wear, Conwy, Wye, Clyde and Lagan.

Greenpeace scientists at the University of Exeter found plastics in 28.

Five rivers contained microbeads and over half nurdles – a raw material in plastic production.

Greenpeace says the figures are a wake up call (PA)

The report will be presented at a parliamentary event today, where TV wildlife expert Steve Backshall will urge MPs to act on plastic ­reduction targets.

Fiona Nicholls of Greenpeace said: “This study is a wake-up call.”