metal
OPAL metals survey - we need your help
The OPAL Water team need your help to research metal contamination in lakes and ponds across England. By sending them a mud sample from your local lake you'll help scientists discover the areas most at risk from metal pollution.
Very small amounts of metals occur naturally in all biological organisms and environments. Some metals, such as copper and zinc, are even vital for health.
High metal concentrations, however, can damage the growth and development of plants and animals, and very high concentrations can cause death.
Animals higher up the freshwater food chain, such as carnivorous fish and fish-eating birds, are most at risk. This is because metals accumulate as they pass through the food chain - a process called bioaccumulation.
Get involved
OPAL Water scientists are asking everyone to help in their research by sending in a small mud sample from a local lake or pond so it can be analysed for metals. The more samples they receive, the more informative the research will be.
Just email the OPAL Water team for a free sampling kit and further instructions: opalwatercentre [at] geog [dot] ucl [dot] ac [dot] uk.
OPAL metals survey
Is your local lake suffering from metal pollution? - Help us find out
Join in the OPAL metals survey and help us learn more about metal contamination in lakes and ponds across England.
Taking part is easy. Just collect a small mud sample from your local pond and send it to the OPAL Water team. We'll then analyse your sample for the presence of metals.
What is metal pollution?
Metals are present in all biological organisms and environments but usually at levels that do no harm. In fact some metals, such as copper and zinc, are essential to the health of living things. However, too much or too little can have damaging effects.
Other metals, such as mercury, cadmium and lead, are not essential. For these metals, each organism has a tolerance level. Exceeding this level can damage growth and development, and very high concentrations can cause death.
In the water, the damaging effects of metals are mostly seen at the top of the food chain, in fish such as pike and in fish-eating birds such as ospreys. This is because metals build up as they pass through the food chain - a process called bioaccumulation.
How will the survey help?
Our knowledge of trace metal distribution in UK lakes and ponds is currently poor. By analysing the mud samples you send us, we'll find out which areas are most affected. Our results will also feed into maps of metal distribution produced by the British Geological Survey.
Get involved today - request your free sampling kit
If you would like to take part, request a free sampling kit by emailing us with your address at: opalwatercentre [at] geog [dot] ucl [dot] ac [dot] uk.
Alternatively, write to us at: The OPAL Water Centre, Department of Geography, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
The OPAL metal survey is not suitable for under 5s. Unfortunately, due to lottery funding restrictions, we can not send sampling kits to addresses outside of England.
Sent in a sample? See your contribution on our map
Thanks to everyone who has taken part in the survey so far. Our sample map shows all the contributions we've received.
What have we discovered so far?
Take a look at our metal concentration maps and see how the results are shaping up.
Water survey - join in now
How healthy is your local lake or pond? Identify the invertebrates that live there to find out.
Take part in an OPAL event near you
From pond-dipping and bat walks to training courses and surveys, find out about local activities and events.