Contamination in the Solent according to new research

“Forever chemicals” have been found across the Solent’s marine environment, according to new research led by the University of Portsmouth and the Marine Conservation Society.

The study examined levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment — in waters between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Researchers analysed samples from surface water, sediments, treated wastewater and marine wildlife including seaweed, crabs, fish and harbour porpoises.

They found PFAS contamination throughout the Solent, with levels of PFOS — one of the most tightly regulated compounds — exceeding UK and EU coastal water safety limits by more than 13 times at the sites tested.

Two local wastewater treatment works, Budds Farm in Portsmouth and Peel Common in Fareham, were also found to be releasing a range of PFAS chemicals into the environment through treated wastewater. Together, the sites serve around 650,000 people.

Professor Alex Ford, from the university’s Institute of Marine Sciences, said: “We are seeing chemicals throughout the Solent’s food web, from the base right up to marine mammals. Current treatment processes are not designed to remove these substances effectively.”

The research also identified around 194 combined sewer overflow outfalls and 546 historic landfill sites close to the Solent, highlighting the number of possible pollution sources feeding into the coastal waters.

Among the wildlife tested, harbour porpoises showed the highest levels of PFAS contamination, with concentrations in liver tissue far above ecological safety thresholds.

Dr Henry Obanya, a post-doctoral researcher involved in the project, said the findings showed contamination was “widespread” across the area.

He said: “We found these chemicals in seaweeds, in invertebrates, in fish and in marine mammals. The Solent is an internationally protected area with enormous ecological value, and it deserves the most robust chemical monitoring we can offer.”

A spokesperson for department for environment, food and rural affairs said the government’s new PFAS plan would strengthen monitoring of estuaries and coastal waters and improve understanding of the risks posed by the chemicals.

The spokesperson said: “The persistent nature of ‘forever chemicals’ poses a long-term challenge for the nation’s ecosystems and health.

“The first ever PFAS Plan shows the decisive action we are taking to better understand and tackle the sources of these chemicals, including in England’s estuaries and coastal waters, through better guidance and monitoring, tougher rules on their use and support for transitioning to safer alternatives.”

Southern Water said tackling PFAS required action at a national level.

A spokesperson said: “While we’re investing heavily in cutting storm overflows, and are removing more and more contaminants through wastewater treatment, the most sustainable solution is to meet the problem at source by changing legislation to restrict or ban certain chemicals and keep them out of pipes and the environment in the first place.”

Joanne Burton, Fareham Borough Council’s executive member for health and public protection, said PFAS contamination was “a national issue” and backed calls for stronger regulation and further research.

Meanwhile, MP for Gosport, Caroline Dinenage DBE said she had written to Southern Water, Portsmouth Water, the Environment Agency and the department for environment to seek clarification over PFAS concerns and planned upgrades at Peel Common Wastewater Treatment Works.

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