The pollution is significant at the sewage outlet and outside Aalborg, writes the university in a press release.
It is researchers from Aalborg University who, with the project, focus on getting an overview of the extent of the pollution in the Limfjord Photo: Martél Andersen
– The Limfjord has become a dumping ground for accumulated microplastics, which is a serious source of pollution that threatens both wildlife and human health, says research leader and professor Jes Vollertsen from the BUILD institute at Aalborg University.
– Further research and action is therefore necessary to mitigate these damages.
Mussels and drinking water
Microplastic pollution can damage entire ecosystems by changing food chains, disrupting the reproduction and growth of marine species and affecting biodiversity.
Animals and organisms that live here risk being affected by chemical pollution, physical damage and malnutrition if they ingest microplastics, the press release also states.
People can be exposed to microplastics through food such as mussels and via drinking water, which can lead to health problems, the full consequences of which research does not yet know.
New knowledge is essential
The researchers’ new calculations show that there may be somewhere between 4 and 165 tonnes of microplastics distributed on the bottom of the Limfjord.
In particular, large amounts of microplastic pollution have been found in the vicinity of Aalborg and in the places where there is discharge from sewage plants. Photo: Martél Andersen
– If we do not understand the extent of contamination with microplastics, we cannot assess the potential risks to nature and people, says Jes Vollertsen.
– The new knowledge about microplastics in the Limfjord is therefore crucial for us to make the right decisions about where to deploy and how to solve the problem.
In the project, the researchers from AAU have focused on getting an overview of the extent of the pollution in the Limfjord. The studies were carried out during 2020 to 2024.
2024-10-06 11:47:13
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