MICROPLASTIC pollution has been found in two of Anglesey and Gwynedd’s iconic rivers.

New research found contamination at the Llyn Cefni reservoir, near Llangefni, and the Afon Cegin, which drains into the Menai Strait at Porth Penrhyn, Bangor.

Research by Bangor University, led by Dr Christian Dunn, and Friends of the Earth, studied ten sites across the UK. They now say the findings suggest that microplastics should be considered as an “emergent contaminant” and that routine monitoring of all UK waters must" take place.

Using a fluorescence lighting system, researchers were able to identify and count microplastic pollutants less than 5 mm in size per litre of water.

The preliminary findings revealed microplastic pollution levels ranging from a 1,000 pieces of plastic per litre in the river Tame in Greater Manchester, to 2.4 pieces per litre in Loch Lomond.

Key sources of pollution include car tyres (7-19,000 tonnes), clothing (150-2,900 tonnes), plastic pellets used to make plastic items (200-5,900 tonnes) and paints on buildings and road markings (1,400-3,700 tonnes).

Friends of the Earth and Dr Christian Dunn say further work is essential to investigate any health risks to humans and ecosystems.

The results, showing pieces of plastic per litre of water were: Llyn Cefni (43.2), Afon Cegin (76.9), River Thames, London (84.1), Chester reedbed (7.6), Ullswater, Lake District (29.5), River Irwell, Salford, (84.8), River Tame, Tameside (>1,000), River Blackwater, Essex (15.1), Falls of Dochart, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park (3.3) and Loch Lomond, (2.4).

Dr Christian Dunn, said: “It was more than a little startling to discover microplastics present in even the most remote sites we tested, and in some of our country’s most iconic locations.

Julian Kirby, at Friends of the Earth said: “The widespread contamination of our rivers and lakes with microplastic pollution is a major concern."