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Community Projects

WATER POLLUTION

-IMPACT OF SEWAGE SPILLS-

In response to the pressing need to protect our wildlife, we have launched this project to investigate the threats posed by sewage spills. With a strong focus on community-led insights, we aim to unravel this complex issue and guide future conservation efforts.

In a novel approach, we engaged our community to select our latest research focus: the impact of sewage spills on local wildlife. By balancing public interest and feasibility, we’ve chosen a topic that resonates deeply with our community, ensuring our research truly reflects their concerns.

In response to the pressing need to protect our wildlife, we have launched this project to investigate the threats posed by sewage spills. With a strong focus on community-led insights, we aim to unravel this complex issue and guide future conservation efforts.

In a novel approach, we engaged our community to select our latest research focus: the impact of sewage spills on local wildlife. By balancing public interest and feasibility, we’ve chosen a topic that resonates deeply with our community, ensuring our research truly reflects their concerns.

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Understanding The Issue

Sewage spills are a concerning environmental issue. They not only pollute our waters but also pose significant threats to our rich aquatic biodiversity. In the UK alone, these spills have been a recurring problem, adversely impacting the health of our marine ecosystems. The situation is no different worldwide, calling for immediate attention and action. The potential impact of these spills on rock pool wildlife is largely understudied. It’s feared that the contaminants may affect the wildlife community structure and the health of individual species, pushing them towards the brink of survival.

Understanding The Issue

Sewage spills are a concerning environmental issue. They not only pollute our waters but also pose significant threats to our rich aquatic biodiversity. In the UK alone, these spills have been a recurring problem, adversely impacting the health of our marine ecosystems. The situation is no different worldwide, calling for immediate attention and action. The potential impact of these spills on rock pool wildlife is largely understudied. It’s feared that the contaminants may affect the wildlife community structure and the health of individual species, pushing them towards the brink of survival.

Our Research Method

Our strategy for comprehending the intricate dynamics between sewage pollution and rock pool wildlife is built upon two pillars: Wildlife Surveys and Water Surveys. We believe that the combination of these methods will provide a comprehensive view of the issue.

Wildlife Surveys

Our wildlife surveys are aimed at monitoring the alterations in community structures, focusing on the diversity and abundance of different species. Observing shifts in these structures can offer insights into the indirect influences of sewage spills on our rock pool ecosystems. The species most affected, alterations in behaviour, and changes in species abundance over time are all aspects under scrutiny during these surveys. These field investigations are conducted with the utmost care to prevent any additional disturbance to the wildlife.

Water Surveys

In conjunction with wildlife surveys, we also carry out rigorous water surveys. These are designed to detect the presence and concentration levels of various pollutants - specifically, we are keenly interested in levels of Ammonia and Nitrate. Understanding the variation in pollution levels across different locations and times helps us correlate these changes with potential impacts on the wildlife.

Locations

Our research spans across several locations, including Falmouth and Plymouth, aiming to create a comprehensive picture of the impact of sewage spills on diverse rock pool ecosystems.

Both our Falmouth and Plymouth locations have multiple survey sites located near sewage outlets. After sufficient data is collected, we will choose a similar site without any sewage outlets as a comparison data set.

Locations

Our research spans across several locations, including Falmouth and Plymouth, aiming to create a comprehensive picture of the impact of sewage spills on diverse rock pool ecosystems.

Both our Falmouth and Plymouth locations have multiple survey sites located near sewage outlets. After sufficient data is collected, we will choose a similar site without any sewage outlets as a comparison data set.

full moon image for full moon citizen science survey page

Full Moon - Monthly Survey Events

We coordinate our citizen science survey events to coincide with the best tides and allow us to find the most marine wildlife. You can conduct your biodiversity survey on any day within these periods.

Next Survey period:

13th to 21st May 2022

Survey Periods

Full Moon survey periods for 2022:

  • 16th to 24th January 2022
  • 15th to 22nd February 2022
  • 16th to 23rd March 2022
  • 14th to 21st April 2022
  • 13th to 21st May 2022
  • 11th to 20th June 2022
  • 11th to 19th July 2022
  • 10th to 17th August 2022
  • 8th to 15th September 2022
  • 7th to 14th October 2022
  • 5th to 12th Novermber 2022
  • 5th to 11th December 2022

Survey Sites

We have loads of survey sites available across Cornwall, Devon and beyond. Click here to view our sites and find one near you. We can even set up a new site just for you!

See our survey sites here