Litter and Pollution 

Pollution is a significant threat to coastal and marine environments, with negative impacts upon human health and wellbeing as well as species and ecosystem health. There are many types of pollution such as water, air, or plastic/littering. There are initiatives designed to monitor and reduce litter in the UK and along the East Grampian Coast such as:

• Beachwatch – UK-wide beach litter monitoring project by the Marine Conservation Society
• Turning the Plastic Tide – an East Grampian Coastal Partnership project focusing on beach cleans and improving the health of beaches along the coast
• Great Nurdle Hunt – monitoring of ‘nurdles’ (tiny plastic pellets) on beaches all across Europe

Water quality at the coast can be impacted by sewage outflows amongst other sources. In terms of measuring water quality there are 8 designated bathing waters in the East Grampian Coast area which are monitored by SEPA, all classed either Good or Excellent in 2023.

Air pollutants are measured in Aberdeen, with the city centre falling (on average) within recommended air quality thresholds. Measures are being taking to reduce air pollution such as the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and Cold Ironing for ships at the harbour.

Two examples of contaminated land remediation along the East Grampian Coast are detailed in this report: Blackdog landfill remediation and the East Tullos Burn restoration.