92% of UK seagrass meadows have been lost to pollution

Seagrass meadows are powerful allies in the fight against climate change and support marine biodiversity. They act as effective carbon storage, retaining carbon for thousands of years. However, untreated sewage pollution, containing excess nutrients and pathogens, threatens these vital habitats in the UK. Research reveals that all sampled sites, including those in marine protected areas, showed contamination with sewage-derived nutrients. This pollution harms seagrass, which is crucial for mitigating environmental stressors. To save these meadows and their ecosystem services, addressing sewage pollution at its source is imperative, as 92% of seagrass meadows in the UK have already been lost. (Marine Conservation Society)