I’m Sofia Gurney, an Environmental Science student at the University of Plymouth and an East Sussex local. I chose my degree because my goal is to make a true impact, minimising anthropogenic effects on the environment and contributing to a sustainable future.
Many of you will have already heard about Southern Water’s bio-bead spill from Eastbourne, which are now washing up in great numbers at Camber Sands. Rye News has had brilliant coverage.
Bio-beads are a form of microplastic that are used in water treatment works, to filter bacteria and other contaminants. They can be mistaken for food by birds and fish and studies have shown them to contain toxic elements due to them being created from recycled electronic plastic.
I first visited Camber to understand the incident on 13 November. Unfortunately on this day, I witnessed dead marine mammals and when I returned to Camber Sands on Sunday for some voluntary work picking up the beads with some other volunteers, we came across a dead seagull.
Camber Sands is a 3-mile stretch that includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Site of Nature Conservation Importance as well as neighbouring Rye Harbour Nature Reserve where bio-beads have been found in the salt marshes. These beads could potentially be here for years to come.
Due to the large quantity and tiny size of these beads, it is incredibly important that people get involved and help pick them up from the beach.
I will be returning to volunteer every weekend, and I urge anyone who has any free time to help out. It’s very rewarding, and a fulfilling opportunity to get outdoors for the day.
Make sure to bring:
* A pair of gloves
* A colander/sieve
* A bag to put them in
* Dustpan and brush (optional)
* Warm layers
If you do decide to volunteer, please be mindful of walking on the beads and compacting them into the sand. If possible when walking distances, walk closer to the shoreline, as the beads accumulate along the strandline when the tide comes out.
Another thing to be aware of is sand; it is quite difficult to separate the beads from the sand, just be mindful of taking too much away. I found that using a metal colander rather than plastic helped and a bucket of water as they float
After collection you can hand the bags over to Southern Water or a coast guard.
Thank you in advance to anybody who volunteers, as well as anyone who has already done so.
I am planning to create a social media presence to continue to raise awareness and engage people who would prefer to volunteer as a group, and potentially raise some money to get some equipment for everybody to use.
If anybody would like to get in touch they can do so at: sofiafornature@gmail.com
Image Credits: Sofia Gurney .