Sheffield researchers to study chemical pollution in Yorkshire

Sheffield University scientists are to investigate the impact of chemical pollution in Yorkshire’s rivers as part of a £1.6mln study, alongside other universities.

The research team will investigate the most harmful chemicals and chemical mixtures being emitted into the county’s waterways and the role they are playing in nature loss. 

Researchers from the University of Sheffield will work alongside experts from the Universities of York and Durham to analyse chemical pollution levels along nine rivers in Yorkshire, alongside other partners. 

Rivers and other freshwater waterways in the UK are becoming increasingly polluted by agriculture, sewage, human activity and plastics - only 14% of rivers meet a good level of ecological status.

The research team, aims to use their findings to identify ways to better monitor and mitigate the impact of chemicals on water quality and nature loss. 

Leader of the study, Professor Alistair Boxall from the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York, says, ‘We are facing a global biodiversity crisis.’ 

Professor Lorraine Maltby, from the University of Sheffield, adds, ‘With this research we hope to ultimately guide environmental and economic policy towards limiting the impacts of chemicals on biodiversity.’

The £1.6m;n project is being funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is one of five new research projects to investigate how pollution impacts UK rivers.