Some of Sydney’s favourite harbour beaches suffer very high levels of plastic pollution, prompting concerns for the safety of swimmers in the area.
The most poorly rated beaches included Manly Cove, with an average of 4051 microplastics per square metre, according to data from the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project…
Earthwatch Institute chief scientist Scott Wilson said beaches along major rivers and Botany Bay, as well as Sydney Harbour, consistently recorded high levels of plastic pollution.
“These are southerly facing and collect litter and microplastics washing in from the catchments from the prevailing winds onto these shores,” he said.
In contrast, ocean beaches such as Palm Beach, Collaroy, Coogee, Tamarama and Bronte had very low levels of microplastics.
