Pollution in the River Merseyin, United Kingdom

Problems

• Water quality in the Mersey was severely affected by industrialization

  The River Mersey is in North West England. For centuries it has formed part of the boundary between the historic counties of Lancashire and Cheshire. The Mersey starts at the confluence of the River Tame and River Goyt in Stockport and empties into Liverpool Bay. In total the river flows 69 miles (111 km). 
  
  The River Mersey is a major river in North West England, and it was heavily industrialized during the 19th and 20th centuries. This led to a significant decline in water quality, as industrial waste was discharged into the river without being treated.

• Main pollutants from industry

  The main pollutants from industry that affected the water quality of the Mersey were:
  
  Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. These metals can be toxic to humans and other animals, and they can also build up in the environment.
  
  Organic pollutants, such as oil, grease, and detergents. These pollutants can cause eutrophication, which is the excessive growth of algae and other plants in water. This can deplete the oxygen levels in the water, making it difficult for fish and other aquatic animals to survive.
  
  Suspended solids, such as dirt, sand, and other particles. These solids can cloud the water and make it difficult for sunlight to penetrate, which can harm aquatic plants and animals.
  
  The shocking revelation comes from Greenpeace research showing the extent of plastic pollution in the UK's rivers.
  
  The analysis, by Greenpeace scientists at the the University of Exeter found microplastics were in 28 out of 30 locations in the UK's rivers.
  
  And the worst site of all was the River Mersey - where a shocking total of 875 pieces of plastic were found in just 30 minutes.
  
  The grim total means that the river that gives region its name is more polluted than the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch - the world's largest accumulation of ocean plastic, which lies between Hawaii and California.
  
  In fact, stretches of the Mersey contain up to six times as many pieces of plastic per square kilometre as the notorious garbage patch. 
  
  Greenpeace said the particularly high level of plastic in the Mersey could be related to the giant plastic 'nurdle' making factory next to the river - operated by plastics firm Basell Polyolefins UK.
  
  The organisation said another factor could be the river's proximity to large numbers of people in Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington.

• Consequences of water pollution

  The pollution of the Mersey led to a number of problems, including:
  
  - Fish kills
  - Reduced biodiversity
  - Health problems in people who came into contact with the water
  - Damage to property

• Activities that have been done to improve water quality in the river

  In 1985, the Mersey Basin Campaign was established to improve water quality in the Mersey. The campaign has been successful in reducing pollution, and the water quality of the Mersey has improved significantly. However, there is still more work to be done, and the Mersey Basin Campaign continues to work to protect and improve the river.
  
  Here are some of the things that have been done to improve water quality in the Mersey:
  
  - Stricter regulations on industrial waste disposal
  - Clean-up of contaminated sites
  - Construction of sewage treatment plants
  - Restoration of wetlands
  - Education and awareness-raising programs
  
  The improvement of water quality in Mersey is a success story, and it shows what can be achieved when people work together to protect the environment.