Decomposing Plastic Rubbish Caught Up On Overhanging Tree Roots Exposed at Low Summer Water On the Banks of the River Torridge, Great Torrington,

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Decomposing plastic which has been caught up on tree roots overhanging the River Torridge. This would normally be covered by the flowing river where, hidden from view, it would continue to deteriorate forming microplastic particles. Macroplastic in the form of bags and sheeting can end up in the river Torridge from farmland or domestic premises during strong winds. It then makes a slow journey downriver being caught up on vegetation and rocky outcrops. Microplastic particles are thus being carried down stream to the Taw, Torridge estuary and out into the Atlantic Ocean. At any point these microparticles can enter the food chain. Surfers Against Sewage have calculated that 8 million pieces of plastic enter our oceans each day!

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Size: 6000px × 4000px
Location: River Torridge, Great Torrington, Devon, England.
Photo credit: © John Insull / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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