Tiny plastic particles are found in a Snowdon lake sparking fears they were transported via polluted RAIN
- Scientists found three pieces of microplastic per litre of water in Llyn Glaslyn
- Number rose to eight pieces per litre by the time this water reached the sea
- Bangor University’s Christian Dunn said plastic ‘most likely’ appears in rainfall
Microscopic plastic particles have been found in a lake near the summit of Snowdon – and experts say they were transported there via polluted rain.
Scientists found three pieces of microplastic per litre of water in the remote Llyn Glaslyn and this rose to eight pieces per litre by the time it reached the sea.
Dr Christian Dunn, of Bangor University, said it was ‘most likely’ that the plastic ended up there through rainfall.
He added: ‘The results are scary when you think that this is at the top of a mountain in a very remote location.
Scientists found three pieces of microplastic per litre of water in the remote Llyn Glaslyn (pictured) and this rose to eight pieces per litre by the time it reached the sea
‘However, more detailed analysis would almost certainly find more plastic. I should be surprised because it’s so horrific, but I’m not.’
Scientists estimate that invisible plastic particles can circulate in the air and end up coming down as rainfall.
But it is also believed that plastic particles as large as five millimetres could be transported in the same way.
The tiny beads of plastic were found near the summit of Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales.
Dr Christian Dunn, of Bangor University, said it was ‘most likely’ that the plastic ended up there through rainfall (Pictured: View of lakes Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw from the Llanberis Path, Snowdon)