Danish Nurdles May Be From River Tyne Spill, Environment Agency Says

Plastic pellets discovered along the Danish coast are likely from the same source as those spilled from a ship in the River Tyne, the Danish Environment Protection Agency has stated.

Nurdles, which are small plastic pellets used in manufacturing, were found scattered along beaches in Denmark and on the German island of Sylt. Similar pellets have previously washed ashore in north-east England, including in Teesside and Durham, following a spill from a vessel in the River Tyne.

Researchers from the Danish Environment Protection Agency tested the collected nurdles. According to the agency, the pellets share similarities with those from the Tyne spill. A key factor supporting this conclusion is the absence of other recorded plastic pellet spills in the Danish area that could account for the findings.

One researcher, who detected the nurdles using drone imagery to identify microplastic pollution, drove along the coast of several Danish islands and found pellets widely distributed where the tide had reached. Samples were collected from 10 different locations.

Approximately 28% of the nurdles spilled in the River Tyne are believed to have been recovered as of September.