Pollution's Impact On British Wildlife: A Troubling Reality

Pollution is having a devastating impact on British wildlife. A recent report revealed that pollution is the biggest threat to wildlife in waterways across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Water companies, farms, abandoned mines and sewage overflows are all contributing to the poor water quality that is wreaking havoc on the wildlife that calls these places home. But it's not just freshwater habitats that are suffering. Air pollution is also harming British wildlife, with pollutants such as acid rain, heavy metals and persistent organic compounds affecting the quality of the environment and food supply for many species.

How does plastic pollution affect British wildlife?

Plastic pollution is having a detrimental effect on British wildlife. A study by the RSPCA found that the number of animals affected by plastic pollution is at an all-time high. In the West Midlands, incidents have increased by 28% in four years. In 2018, there were 579 cases of damage to wildlife or pets reported to the RSPCA in England and Wales.

Plastic pollution is particularly harmful to water birds and marine animals. Seals, for example, are at risk of deep infected wounds caused by plastic frisbees cutting into their necks. Birds such as swans and geese can become trapped in fishing lines or netting. A recent study found that all animals washed up on British shores had plastic in their stomachs.

The ocean is especially vulnerable to plastic waste. Once plastic enters the sea, it can be carried by waves and storms to even the furthest reaches of the ocean, where it accumulates into large gyres or becomes embedded in shorelines and coastal ecosystems. Over time, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, which can be ingested by marine animals. Microplastics, in particular, are invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume. They can also absorb toxins, which can then be transferred to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them.

Large items of plastic can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators. Discarded fishing nets can smother and break coral reefs, preventing healthy growth. Small but visible plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination.

Plastic pollution is a growing threat to British wildlife, and urgent action is needed to protect our freshwater and marine ecosystems.

How does sewage pollution affect British wildlife?

Sewage pollution is a pressing issue in the UK, with serious consequences for British wildlife. The presence of sewage in British waterways has been the subject of recent public outcry. While it is undoubtedly dangerous to human health, it also wreaks havoc on the animals and plants that inhabit these waterways. Sewage overflows, which are released into rivers during emergencies, such as heavy rainfall, pose a significant threat to the fragile river ecosystems.

One of the primary ways in which sewage pollution affects British wildlife is through eutrophication. When sewage is released into rivers, it introduces high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which stimulate the growth of algae. This process can lead to the formation of large algae blooms, which block light that other aquatic plants need for photosynthesis. As a result, these plants begin to die off, leading to an increase in bacteria, which consumes the dead organic material. This, in turn, reduces oxygen levels in the water, causing the death of fish and other aquatic organisms. Freshwater insects, such as stoneflies and mayflies, are particularly vulnerable to the lack of oxygen, and their decline has a knock-on effect on fish populations, as they are a vital food source.

In addition to eutrophication, sewage also introduces a range of harmful chemicals, bacteria, and diseases into the water. Treated wastewater has been found to cause physiological changes in fish, including the development of ovarian cavities in male brown roaches and alterations in kidney and immune system function. Sewage can also facilitate the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio.

Furthermore, sewage pollution can have indirect effects on wildlife by damaging their habitats and food sources. For example, sewage can contaminate coral reefs, coastal mangroves, and salt marshes, leading to their decline. It can also reduce biodiversity and the ocean's ability to store carbon, impacting species that depend on these ecosystems.

The impact of sewage pollution on British wildlife is far-reaching and devastating. It disrupts the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems, leading to the decline and potential extinction of various species. While there have been calls for action and some efforts to address this issue, more urgent and comprehensive measures are needed to protect British wildlife from the detrimental effects of sewage pollution.

How does air pollution affect British wildlife?

Air pollution can have a detrimental impact on British wildlife, affecting both the environment and food supply of animals.

One of the key ways air pollution harms wildlife is by altering the quality of their habitats. Acid rain, for instance, can change the chemistry of soils and water bodies, making them too acidic for some animals to survive. It can also increase the release of heavy metals, such as aluminium, into water habitats, which is toxic to many species, including fish. Additionally, air pollution can introduce heavy metals and other toxic substances into the environment, which can accumulate in the tissues of plants and animals. These pollutants can then move up the food chain through bioaccumulation, impacting top-level predators like bears and eagles.

Another consequence of air pollution is its effect on the food supply and quality for wildlife. Pollutants can enter the food chain, damaging the availability and quality of food sources. For example, the loss of certain fish species due to high levels of aluminium in the water may benefit certain types of ducks that feed on insects, but it could be detrimental to eagles and other birds that rely on fish as their primary food source.

Furthermore, air pollution can lead to mutations and fertility problems in various species. Research has found that pesticides and chemicals are causing issues in the reproductive organs of fish, alligators, and polar bears. Even human breast milk in Europe has been found to pass on more dioxin to babies than is legally permitted for cow's milk.

Air pollution also affects wildlife through the disruption of endocrine function, organ injury, increased vulnerability to diseases and stresses, and reduced reproductive success. It can even lead to the extinction of certain species, with one in six species in England currently at risk.

Overall, air pollution poses a significant threat to British wildlife, impacting their habitats, food sources, and long-term survival.

How does water pollution affect British wildlife?

Water pollution is a significant threat to British wildlife, with human activities such as agricultural practices, sewage discharge, and industrial pollution contributing to the problem. Here are some ways in which water pollution affects British wildlife:

Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems

Water pollution disrupts the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems, leading to a decline in biodiversity. Excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff and sewage, fuel the growth of algae. This leads to algal blooms, which block sunlight, deplete oxygen levels, and create "dead zones" where fish and invertebrates cannot survive. The chemicals in fertilisers and other pollutants also contaminate water sources, making them toxic and inhospitable for many species.

Harm to Marine Life

Water pollution has devastating consequences for marine life in British waters. Plastic pollution, for instance, affects a wide range of species, from microscopic animals to large predators such as whales and sharks. Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to break down, and during this time, it can be ingested by marine animals, leading to blockages, injuries, and increased susceptibility to diseases. It can also entangle and trap animals, disrupting their natural behaviours and contributing to population decline.

Disruption of Food Chains

Water pollution also affects the food chains within British wildlife. As pollutants enter the water, they are consumed by aquatic organisms, leading to bioaccumulation. This means that top-level predators, such as birds of prey and certain fish species, are at risk of ingesting high concentrations of toxins. Additionally, the decline in fish populations due to water pollution can have a ripple effect on other species, such as birds and mammals that rely on them for food.

Long-term Effects on Species

Water pollution can have long-term effects on British wildlife, including mutations and fertility problems. For example, pesticides and chemicals have already been linked to reproductive issues in fish, alligators, and polar bears. The presence of persistent organic pollutants, such as PFOS, in British waters is also concerning, as they can accumulate in the tissues of wildlife and potentially pose health risks.

Impact on Protected Species

Water pollution also affects protected species in the UK. For instance, otters, swallowtail butterflies, and salmon depend on freshwater habitats that are currently being ruined by agricultural waste, raw sewage, and pollution from abandoned mines. The failure to control pollution in these areas has led to a decline in these species, with experts warning that urgent action is needed to protect their future.

How does light pollution affect British wildlife?

Light pollution, also known as photopollution, is the presence of artificial light in the night environment. It is caused by human activity and can be harmful to both wildlife and humans. Light pollution can be observed from space, and it is estimated that at least 55% of the population of the UK cannot see the Milky Way because of it.

Light pollution has a significant impact on British wildlife, particularly nocturnal animals, whose natural night-time environment is altered by artificial light. The introduction of artificial light is a drastic change for nocturnal animals, who are used to operating in complete darkness. It can also be disruptive for their sleeping and eating patterns.

Bats, for example, navigate using a combination of night vision and echolocation. In low-light situations, they may stop echolocating to conserve energy and disguise themselves from prey. For bats, encountering an artificially lit area can be disorienting, and they may not see objects in their path, leading to potential collisions.

Additionally, bats tend to associate lit areas with the risk of predators and may avoid them entirely. Linear arrangements of street lights, like highways, can become permanent barriers for bats trying to commute to their feeding sites, leading to the deterioration or loss of bat roosts.

Light pollution also affects bird species, particularly those that migrate or hunt at night. These birds navigate by moonlight and starlight, and artificial light can cause them to wander off course, leading them towards dangerous, illuminated buildings and towers. Many birds die each year from colliding with these structures.

Furthermore, artificial light can disrupt the breeding rituals of amphibians such as frogs and toads. Chad Moore, formerly of the U.S. National Park Service, notes that adding artificial light to the environment can be as disruptive as "running a bulldozer over the landscape".

To reduce light pollution, individuals can light only what is necessary, use cones or baffle lights to focus light downwards, and avoid floor lights and bollards. Warm white, orange, and red lights are better options for most wildlife and our circadian rhythms.

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