Marine Pollution

Science topics & groups

Science group

Source to sea

The ocean, the land and freshwater ecosystems are closely interlinked and interdependent. Through applying a source-to-sea approach in our research we recognise this and aim to address knowledge gaps in support of the management of these connected ecosystems and tackling pollution at the source, ups...

Sea front with artificial lights being reflected in the water

Science group

Light and sound pollution

Our research aims to understand the widespread and pervasive effects of artificial light at night (ALAN), and sound pollution, on coastal and marine wildlife.

Science group

Biogeochemical cycles

The ocean plays a dominant role in the Earth’s carbon and nutrient cycles. These cycles are intrinsically linked together and sustain life in the ocean and form a key part of our climate system.

Science group

Water-related diseases

Water-related diseases affect millions of people each year worldwide. PML is monitoring the movement and spread of disease pathogens to support adaptation and reduce risks for human and ecosystem health under climate change.

Hand holding plastic litter from a beach

Science group

Plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a growing threat to the world’s oceans, posing a serious risk to the health of marine life, ecosystems and society.

Science group

Oil pollution

PML routinely monitors areas to detect if oil pollution occurs, so timely action can be taken.

Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise: Management of Impacts on Biodiversity (AquaPLAN)
AquaPLAN is a four-year EU Horizon Europe project quantifying the combined impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) and anthropogenic noise on aquatic biodiversity across Europe’s freshwater, estuarine, coastal and offshore environments. PML contributes expertise in physical and social mari...
Closing the budget in marine atmospheric Oxidative Capacity through the quantification of Oceanic VOC emissions (COCO-VOC)
Roughly half of the oxidation of methane (a key greenhouse gas) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurs over the oceans via reactions with the hydroxyl radical (OH). Some of these reactions lead to secondary organic aerosols (SOA), which are important for cloud formation, and ozone,...
Water-Associated infectious Diseases in India: digital Management tools (WADIM)
WADIM aims to develop a multi-layered digital tool to map sanitation conditions and occurrence of disease and changes therein, especially in the event of flooding due to monsoon rainfall or natural disasters.
TYRE-LOSS: Lost at Sea – where are all the tyre particles?
Tyre particles are increasingly recognised as a potentially major source of microplastic pollution, yet limited data exists on their accumulation and risks in the marine environments. The TYRE-LOSS project is tackling this critical knowledge gap.
BIO-PLASTIC-RISK: Biodegradable Bioplastics – Assessing Environmental Risk
Biodegradable bioplastics (BBPs) offer promising solutions to the global plastic pollution challenge. However, our understanding of their fate in the natural environment and potential environmental effects is limited. The Bio-Risk Plastic Project brings together experts from various fields to compre...
ProBleu: Promoting ocean and water literacy in school communities
ProBleu aims to mobilise and engage students, school communities, and the wider community across the EU and associated countries to enhance understanding, stewardship, and literacy about oceans and waters, with a focus on restoring them by 2030 and growing the Network of European Blue Schools.

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Related News

Image: PML scientists joined the research expedition in 2022 that led to the discovery of the mechanism that increases the number of cloud-forming particles in the Arctic atmosphere. Image credit: PML’s Dr Loren Temple.

14 August 2026

As Arctic sea ice melts, it can produce clouds that can reduce warming – but what happens next for the climate?

A new study provides the first real-world evidence of how melting sea ice can boost cloud-seeding particles in the Arctic. But whether more clouds could help cool the region – or trap heat – remains uncertain.

Over half of people are unaware of environmental effects of sunscreen, study shows
The research comes at a time when the UK has been basking in stunning summer sunshine for several weeks and sunscreen use has likely increased.
State of the South-West’s Seas 2025 report highlights warming waters and octopus boom
Marine heatwaves, rising sea temperatures and a boom in Common Octopus populations are among the standout findings in the newly published State of the South-West’s Seas 2025 report. Produced by the South-West Marine Ecosystems (SW...
From mudflats to markets: research reveals strong economic case for investing in marine nature recovery
Findings from the Sea The Value project are presented in this latest report, suggesting that by applying a ‘natural capital assessment’ approach, there is genuine potential for marine nat...
PML welcomes UK ratification of the High Seas Treaty
A “landmark moment” for ocean protection, with PML experts warning that the real challenge now lies in delivery.