Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant environmental threat, with projections indicating a 50-fold increase in pollution levels by 2100. Seagrass meadows, important for carbon storage and sediment stabilisation, may also serve as a Nature-based Solution for MP pollution. Despite the well-documented presence of MPs in seagrass sediments, the efficiencies of MP capture by these habitats remain largely unexplored. In this study, hydraulic flume simulations were conducted to assess how different seagrass planting configurations influence MP trapping. The results indicate that meadows with random spatial distribution are 6 % more effective at trapping MPs under high concentrations compared to grid-patterned meadows, while lower planting densities enhance trapping efficiency by 14 %. These findings offer insights into optimising seagrass restoration efforts for mitigating MP pollution, and this highlights the need for further needed to understand the broader ecological implications of MP retention in these critical ecosystems.

Microplastics (MPs) and ocean warming present a dual threat to marine phytoplankton, with significant but not fully understood effects. This study assessed how projected MP pollution and rising water temperatures influence phytoplankton biomass, abundance, and diversity. While MPs at future concentrations did not impact biomass or abundance at current temperatures, under projected warming conditions, biomass decreased by 41 % and diversity by 38.8 % in MP-exposed samples. This suggests that MP toxicity, aggregation, and reduced light penetration, intensified by warming, can inhibit phytoplankton growth. Diatoms, crucial for global primary productivity, were especially affected, with declines in their abundance and diversity potentially reducing carbon sequestration by up to 10.45 billion tons annually. Community composition shifted towards fewer genera, implying lower biodiversity and resilience, which could disrupt marine food webs and affect human populations. Seagrass wetlands, a Nature-based Solution, might mitigate some impacts by trapping MPs and limiting their effects on phytoplankton. These results highlight the urgent need for further research to address and mitigate the combined impacts of MPs and warming on marine ecosystems, due to potential broad ecological and socioeconomic repercussions.

The success of the D-Day landings during World War II was significantly influenced by the detailed reconnaissance and scientific analysis of coastal substrate, particularly peatlands, by Allied wetland scientists. This paper examines the critical role of wetland science in ensuring the feasibility of the Normandy invasion. Initial geological intelligence raised concerns about the stability of the beaches due to extensive peat deposits underlying the Normandy coast. To address uncertainties, the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP) conducted covert beach surveys, collecting substrate samples crucial for operational planning. These missions, undertaken under challenging conditions, identified suitable landing areas by analysing sediment composition and bearing capacities. The success of D-Day was, in part, attributed to the insights provided by wetland scientists, who highlighted the significance of substrate properties in operational success. Their contributions underscored the interdisciplinary nature of wartime planning, integrating scientific expertise with military strategy. This study illuminates the often-overlooked role of wetland science in pivotal historical events, emphasising its influence on strategic decision-making and operational outcomes during one of the 20th century’s defining battles.

Reported high drug use at music festivals coupled with factors such as public urination can lead to the direct release of illicit drugs into the environment. Glastonbury Festival 2019 had 203,000 attendees, its site is intercepted by the Whitelake River providing a direct route for illicit drug pollution into the local environment. We tested for popular illicit drugs such as cocaine and MDMA in the river upstream and downstream of the festival site as well as in the neighbouring Redlake River. Both rivers were sampled the weeks before, during and after the festival. Cocaine, benzoylecgonine and MDMA were found at all sample sites; concentrations, and mass loads (mass carried by the river per unit of time) were significantly higher in the Whitelake site, downstream of the festival. MDMA mass loads were 104 times greater downstream in comparison to upstream sites (1.1-61.0 mg/h vs 114.7 mg/h; p < .01). Cocaine and benzoylecgonine mass loads were also 40 times higher downstream of the festival (1.3-4.2 mg/h vs 50.4 mg/h; p < .01) (22.7-81.4 mg/h vs 854.6 mg/h; p < .01). MDMA reached its highest level during the weekend after the festival with a concentration of 322 ng/L. This concentration is deemed harmful to aquatic life using Risk Quotient assessment (RQ) and provides evidence of continuous release after the festival due to leaching of MDMA from the site. Cocaine and benzoylecgonine concentrations were not at levels deemed harmful to aquatic life according to RQ assessment yet were three times higher than MDMA concentrations. Redlake River experienced no significant changes (p > .05) in any illicit drug levels, further confirming that drug release was likely dependent on the festival site. The release of environmentally damaging levels of illicit drugs into Whitelake River during the period of Glastonbury Festival suggests an underreported potential source of environmental contamination from greenfield festival sites.

The occurrence of microplastics in marine habitats is well documented and of growing concern. The presence of these small (<5 mm) pieces of plastic is less well recorded in inland water systems. In this paper, we determine a cost-efficient and straightforward method for the collection and identification of microplastics in UK inland waters. We found pieces of microplastic from all sample sites ranging from over 1000 L-1 in the River Tame, to 2.4 L-1 in Loch Lomond. The presence of microplastics in all waters tested suggest it should now be classed as an emergent contaminant, with routine monitoring required.