Plastic pollution on the highest mountain in Wales

The alarming number of microscopic particles found in a lake on Snowdon is a warning to environmental pollution.

On average, up to three microscopic particles appear in every liter of water in Lake Llyn Glasly on the highest mountain in Wales, the latest analysis of a team of experts from Bangor University shows. Water samples were collected by environmental activist Laura Sanderson in an effort to assess pollution in 15 national parks in the United Kingdom.

Lake Llyn Glasly.(Photo: Geograph).

According to Dr. Christian Dunn from Bangor University, the density of microplastics even increases when the lake water falls into the Afon Glaslyn River and flows into the sea. In the estuary area of ​​Porthmado Port, the team found an average of 8 seeds per liter of water.

"This result is unbelievable because Llyn Glaslyn is a remote lake located on a high mountain," Dunn emphasized . "The actual number of plastic particles may be even higher if detailed analysis is conducted. We need to look back at how plastic is used daily."

Laura Sanderson swam along Llyn Glasly lake to collect water samples.(Photo: Metro).

Microplastics are thought to originate from garbage left behind by visitors on the mountain. They can be washed away by rainwater and decay over time. The government of Snowdonia National Park said it collects nearly 400 bags of garbage every year in the area.

However, microplastics can also be taken to the lake by other routes, according to the team. Because of their small size (less than 5 mm), they can be transported long distances by wind and rainwater.

1. Detecting microplastics in rainwater, not only lying beneath the sea
2. We ingest at least 50,000 microplastics every year