By Dr Rob Bradburne, Environment Agency Chief Scientist
When incidents happen, good decisions depend on good science.
That is certainly true of the ongoing recovery along North East England's coast, where a maritime collision released small pellets of plastic, known as nurdles, and other debris into the Tyne estuary and along surrounding beaches. The spill has taken a significant toll on local communities, with residents facing the distress of seeing treasured beaches polluted and spending many hours helping to protect and clean up their coastline.
Our operational teams and partners are working to assess and manage pollution on the ground. Building on the excellent early advice provided in the immediate aftermath, a committee of scientists from across and beyond the Defra group, called the Scientific and Technical Advice Committee, is providing evidence that underpins every aspect of the ongoing recovery operation.
As chair of the committee, I’ve seen just how important scientific collaboration is during uncertain and rapidly developing situations. From modelling the movement and risks of nurdles to advising which clean-up approaches could be most effective, the team draws on a wide range of expertise. Together we’re considering the best available science, advising those managing the recovery so that they can make choices to protect nature, wildlife and coastal communities.
What are nurdles?Nurdles are small pellets of plastic used as the raw material for manufacturing plastic products. Following a maritime incident, nurdles and associated debris entered the estuary and marine environment and began washing up along the coastline.
While the pellets may appear small and relatively harmless, they could present significant environmental harm if they remain in the environment in large quantities.
Monitoring their movementOne of the committee’s biggest challenges is understanding where the nurdles have gone and where they may move next. We’re bringing together modelling, monitoring and expert judgement to build the clearest possible picture. Already, scientists spotted where nurdles travelled upstream, prompting industry funding to explore the estuary’s dynamics in greater detail.
This evidence helps responders consider where nurdles may be present in the environment and which habitats or locations may need closer attention as the incident develops.
Understanding environmental riskOne of the most important roles of science during an incident is identifying where risks are greatest. While evidence on the environmental impacts of nurdles is still developing, the committee is working at pace to point out potential risks as the situation unfolds.
Scientists are highlighting the potential vulnerability of protected coastal habitats including saltmarsh, mudflats, seagrass and vegetated shingle. These habitats support internationally important wildlife and can be particularly difficult to clean once plastic material becomes embedded within them. We’re also considering the implications for seabirds, marine mammals, fisheries and other coastal species.
Beyond the immediate impacts of pollution, the committee is advising on when to end the clean-up effort. Digging up acres of beach could damage the habitats that we’re trying to protect. Our advice helps responders balance the benefits of recovery against the risk of further environmental harm.
Turning evidence into actionDuring the ongoing recovery, the scientific committee is providing evidence-based recommendations on issues such as monitoring the material in the marine environment, protecting particularly sensitive habitats and prioritising clean-up efforts. This includes advising the Recovery Coordination Group on how to define the limits of the recovery process so they can move confidently into planning the next phase of recovery.
I’ve seen a huge amount of work happening behind the scenes, with many experts offering their time and knowledge to tackle different aspects of the challenge. Communicated clearly, this information plays a central role in supporting operational responders and decision makers.
Bringing together expertiseNo single organisation holds all the scientific knowledge and skills needed during a complex environmental incident like this.
That is why the science committee draws on expertise from across government, environmental regulators, public health specialists and marine scientists. I am working closely with colleagues on the committee from local groups, government organisations including Natural England, Cefas, the Marine Management Organisation, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and UKHSA, as well as academic experts from the universities of Newcastle, Portsmouth and Lancaster, bringing together a broad range of scientific disciplines.
This collaborative approach ensures that decisions are informed by the best available evidence, whether the issue is wildlife conservation, fisheries, public health, or marine pollution. It also means that advice provided to the local authorities and others leading the response is consistent, actionable and reliable.
Why this mattersDay to day, scientists from the Environment Agency and partner organisations work together on a wide range of environmental challenges, from water quality and flood risk to emerging pollutants and incident response.
By combining evidence, expert judgement and collaboration across organisations, we can better understand environmental risks, make informed decisions and help protect people and the environment.
Science does not necessarily remove uncertainty, but it gives us the best possible foundation for making balanced and informed decisions when it matters most. I am grateful to everyone helping to make this a reality in the North East.
seen at 15:04, 26 August in Environment Agency: For homes and habitats..