Citizen scientists help in University of Bonn study showing river carries up to 4,700 tonnes of ‘macrolitter’ annually
Thousands of tonnes of litter is pouring into the North Sea via the Rhine every year, poisoning the waters with heavy metals, microplastics and other chemicals, research has found.
This litter can be detrimental to the environment and human health: tyres, for example, contain zinc and other heavy metals that can be toxic to ecosystems in high concentrations.
“Even natural, less persistent materials, such as worked wood, paper, cardboard and food waste may contain toxic or harmful additives,” said Dr Leandra Hamann, a zoologist at the University of Bonn and lead author of the study.
Rivers play a significant role in transporting litter into other aquatic and marine environments. Researchers said the composition of litter found in the Rhine was very similar to that found in other European rivers including the Thames. These large quantities of litter also have the potential to damage crucial infrastructure such as drainage systems, leading to increased risk of flooding.
