The findings also indicate that ocean cleanup projects cannot address plastic pollution at its source, highlighting the necessity for improved waste management and a reduction in single-use plastics.

A recent study has revealed alarming levels of microplastic pollution in major European rivers, averaging three microplastics per cubic meter of water across nine rivers, including the Garonne.

The research found that all sampled rivers are contaminated with microplastics, with no river identified as significantly more polluted than others.

Jean-François Ghiglione, the scientific director of the research program, noted that no European river is free from this diffuse pollution, although the levels are significantly lower than those found in major rivers in Africa or Asia.

The study involved samples collected from the mouths of nine major rivers, with a team of 40 scientists from 19 research laboratories demonstrating the widespread nature of the pollution.

Experts are advocating for international treaties to combat plastic pollution, with negotiations ongoing since 2022, although recent talks in South Korea ended without agreement.

These findings indicate a pervasive pollution issue originating from multiple sources, prompting calls for significant reductions in primary plastic production to address the problem.

Researchers emphasized the need for a substantial reduction in primary plastic production, linking it directly to environmental pollution as part of ongoing UN negotiations.

Surprisingly, a quarter of the microplastics identified in the rivers are industrial plastic pellets, referred to as 'mermaid tears', originating from production processes rather than waste.

Microplastics not only serve as carriers for harmful microorganisms, but they also absorb chemical pollutants, which can be toxic to aquatic organisms and disrupt their growth and reproduction.

The study emphasizes the hidden nature of microplastic pollution, revealing that the mass of invisible microplastics exceeds that of visible ones, raising concerns about their ingestion by aquatic life.

A unique participatory science project in France, 'Plastique à la loupe', has engaged around 15,000 students annually in sampling efforts along rivers, contributing to the understanding of this issue.