Water Centre

How do pollutants affect freshwater life?

The main focus of the OPAL Water Centre project is to learn more about pollution in our lakes and ponds.

The dangers of pollution
Water pollution can seriously damage the health of aquatic plants and animals. In fact, these pollutants can pass right through the food chain, from the smallest creatures up to the large fish.

There is increasing evidence that fish and sediments in UK lakes contain high levels of persistent organic pollutants - known as POPs - potentially toxic trace metals. Freshwater species are being affected even in remote locations. The situation may be even worse in urban areas because of pollutants running off from paved areas and roads.

Assessing the problem
Our research aims to identify the scale of contamination from trace metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc) and certain POPs in the water, wildlife and sediment of 9 ponds and lakes around England. We will then assess the impact of these pollutants on the freshwater ecosystem.

See the results so far
All data and observations so far can be seen on our research results page

Get involved
Interested in our work? We work closely with many local and national societies who are always keen to attract new members.

Out on the lakes with the OPAL Water team

What's it like being a water scientist? Follow Dr Simon Turner as he samples nine lakes across the country.

Policy and regulation
If you are interested in learning more about government policy on substances such as trace metals and persistent organic pollutants in waters then please visit:

• Defra
• Environment Agency 

For Scotland please visit:

• SEPA

For Wales please visit:

• Countryside Council for Wales

For Northern Ireland please visit:

• Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Contact us
opalwatercentre@geog.ucl.ac.uk

The OPAL Water Centre is led by University College London