Plymouth Sound, United Kingdom
Location: Plymouth Sound, Plymouth UK
Impact: Environment and climate change
Focus: Pollution and flooding
Satellite image of a phytoplankton bloom in the English Channel near Plymouth. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2
Summary
Plymouth Sound is located in the English Channel near the city of Plymouth on the south coast of England, UK.
The AquaWatch pilot site at Plymouth Sound monitors water quality by tracking runoff pollutants from the nearby Tamar and Plym rivers into the sound, as well as assessing the impact of increased flooding—driven by global warming—on water quality, mudflats and seabeds.
The Plymouth Sound pilot is the first testing site as part of the wider AquaWatch AUK project to develop a national system for the UK.
Pollution and flooding in Plymouth Sound
Plymouth Sound receives runoff from the nearby Tamar and Plym rivers.
These rivers carry a number of pollutants including agricultural chemicals, sewage and heavy metals from mining activities.
These contaminants all affect the water quality of Plymouth Sound and the surrounding marine ecosystems.
Increased flooding in the area, caused by global warming, also has a major impact.
Monitoring the impact of flooding on water quality, mudflats and seagrass beds is vital, as these ecosystems play a key role in capturing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Implications for water management
AquaWatch is testing near-real-time updates and forecasts of water quality, pollutants, and flooding in Plymouth Sound.
This monitoring provides a more complete picture and understanding of changes driving water quality, helping:
- improve resource management
- guide sustainable decisions
- detect early signs of water quality issues
- support pollution control
Partners and collaborators
Plymouth pilot site:
Plymouth Marine Laboratories
AquaWatch AUK is a project under the UK-Australia Space Bridge initiative, supported by the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund and co-funded by the Australian Space Agency. AquaWatch AUK collaborators include: