• Data collected during a rowing challenge around the seas of Great Britain has found significantly higher concentrations of microplastic pollution than previously recorded, a new report finds. • The team, which included University of Surrey academic Hannah Davies, rowed more than 2,000 miles in just 50 days as part of the GB Row Challenge 2024, while also collecting crucial data on microplastic pollution, underwater man-made sound, water temperature, salinity and biodiversity.
Article Summaries:
- A recent report from the GB Row Challenge 2024 indicates that microplastic concentrations along Britain’s coastlines may be up to twice as high as previously thought. Over 50 days, a team of rowers-including University of Surrey researcher Hannah Davies-traversed more than 2,000 miles of the UK’s seas, sampling microplastics, underwater noise, temperature, salinity and biodiversity. The findings suggest a larger scale of plastic pollution than earlier surveys, underscoring the need for more comprehensive monitoring and mitigation efforts. The study highlights the importance of integrating citizen‑science initiatives with scientific research to improve data coverage.
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