Researchers at the University of East London have started a new study on microplasticmicroplastic/ˈmaɪkrəʊˌplæstɪk/L2微塑料（极小的塑料碎片，通常小于5毫米）very small pieces of plastic that are harmful to the environment and can be found in water and soil. pollutionpollution/pəˈluːʃən/L2污染（有害物质进入环境造成破坏）the process of making air, water, or land dirty and dangerous for living things. in the River Thames. The project is led by Dr Ria Devereux. It will collect data from seven locations between Teddington and Southend-on-Sea. The Thames has some of the highest microplastic levels of any river in the world. This study aims to help improve water quality and influence environmentalenvironmental/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl/L2环境的（与自然环境有关的）relating to the natural world, such as the air, water, and land around us. policypolicy/ˈpɒlɪsi/L2政策；方针a set of rules or plans that a government or organization follows to achieve certain goals..
The team will take three litres of water from each site. They will filter the water to capture tiny particles. Then they use a microscopemicroscope/ˈmaɪkrəskəʊp/L2显微镜（用于观察微小物体的仪器）a tool that makes very small things look bigger so you can see them clearly. to find microplasticsmicroplasticsL1微塑料。microplastics and record their size, colour and shape. They will also use a special tool to confirm the particles are plastic. The study will look at how storms and changing weather affect microplastic levels.
Dr Devereux said: 'The River Thames is one of the most internationally recognised urban rivers, yet we are still learning about microplasticmicroplastic/ˈmaɪkrəʊˌplæstɪk/L2微塑料（极小的塑料碎片，通常小于5毫米）very small pieces of plastic that are harmful to the environment and can be found in water and soil. pollution.' The project will produce policy briefings and bring together regulators and environmental groups. This will help policymakers understand where to make changes. The researchers hope their work will lead to better decisions for the river.
