Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 27/05/2026There are lots of approaches for using these kind of technologies to stabilise pollutants in contaminated land. 010
Reposted by Kate SpencerLeana Hosea @leanahosea.bsky.social · 12/05/2026On 20 May, I'll be part of a webinar on pollution from historic landfill across Europe We'll be discussing the joint investigation on old landfill by @watershed-i.bsky.social + @investigate-europe.eu If you'd like to join us, please follow the link below 👇🏾 eu01web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... 38536
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 27/05/2026There are some pilot sites across Europe but the metals need to be concentrated enough to make it economically viable. The problem with these old sites is that they’re ‘mixed’ so valuable metals have to be separated from everything else. 100
Reposted by Kate SpencerWATERSHED Investigations @watershed-i.bsky.social · 09/03/2026- Cancers - unexplained scarring on the lungs - impaired fetal growth - premature birth - heart disease Canadian doctors warn of alarming health trends near fracking sites: share.google/Y3bkaYqgOUfb...share.googleB.C. Doctors Flag Alarming Health Trends Near Fracking SitesResearchers met with the city of Dawson Creek in British Columbia to share insights about how fracking in the region is affecting public health. 6192116
Reposted by Kate SpencerRachel Salvidge @rachelsalvidge.bsky.social · 26/02/2026After a decade as a de facto poop correspondent, it was great to see the sewage scandal brought together in Channel 4’s brilliant drama Dirty Business. Even if you think you know the story, watch it. I’ve tried to sum up the whole malodorous affair here: watershedinvestigations.com/a-decade-ins... 1121987
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 05/03/2026#HPV awareness day. HPV driven throat cancers are increasing in 40-50 year olds. With early detection they respond well to treatment so know the symptoms - neck lump, change in voice/swallow, change in appearance of tonsils. Even better get vaccinated and vaccinate your kids. #HPVawareness #cansky 093
Reposted by Kate SpencerWATERSHED Investigations @watershed-i.bsky.social · 19/01/2026Map of parts of the UK with potential for fracking exploration (British Geological Survey). There's a current pause on fracking in the UK & the government is considering making it illegal. Reform, however, have pledged to license fracking if elected. nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/51... 310867
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 14/01/2026Evidence for large-scale #microplastic pollution of the human body is pretty weak. Biological pathways are implausible and analytical protocols still under development. But this doesn’t address the media’s role in hyping claims - often ignoring research caveats www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.com‘A bombshell’: doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human bodyExclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’ 042
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 11/01/2026Still a few days to submit your abstract to #EGU26. Join our session if you work at the intersection of pollution and climate change 061
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 10/01/2026If you didn’t catch their reporting first time around - @watershed-i.bsky.social have done some really comprehensive and eye opening work mapping Europe’s waste sites. @qmulsse.bsky.social 04118
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 10/01/2026This is exactly the problem. The legislation requiring this engineering design came in much later 011
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 10/01/2026Depressing - yet absolutely fascinating and it amazes us how many people come to rummage through the waste. They’re our #futurefossils 000
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 10/01/2026Fortunately wave action disperses the material but it’s still released into the marine environment 010
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 10/01/2026Watch this space - important work on this about to be released by Defra…we proposed methods to prioritise sites back in 2018 link.springer.com/article/10.1...link.springer.comClient Challenge 110
Reposted by Kate SpencerJo Rhodes @drjorhodes.com · 12/12/2025Come to Birmingham and do a PhD with myself and @wvschaik.bsky.social! 099
Reposted by Kate SpencerJosh Ahmed @geomorphicjosh.bsky.social · 11/12/2025Join @profkatespencer.bsky.social, John MacDonald & I in Vienna at @egu.eu for our session on Chemicals and Climate Change where we want to consolidate our knowledge on how changes in hydrology & hydrodynamics will impact future contaminant mobility @egu-gm.bsky.social ⬇️ www.egu26.eu/session/56805 031
Reposted by Kate SpencerScience X / Phys.org @sciencex.bsky.social · 23/10/2025Modeling indicates that buoyant plastic can persist at the ocean surface for over a century, gradually fragmenting and sinking, with long-term impacts on marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. doi.org/g97r6dphys.orgPlastic pollution could linger at ocean surfaces for over a century, new research findsScientists from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Queen Mary University of London have developed a simple model to show how buoyant plastic can settle through the water column and they predict it could take over 100 years to remove plastic waste from the ocean's surface. 052
Reposted by Kate SpencerPatrick Marques @pmarques35.bsky.social · 24/10/2025[1/8] DEs chercheurs de l'Université Queen Mary de Londres présentent un modèle inédit pour comprendre le destin des plastiques flottants. Leur étude relie la fragmentation en microplastiques et leur lente descente vers les fonds marins. #geography #ocean #pollution #plasticroyalsocietypublishing.orgCoupling fragmentation to a size-selective sedimentation model can quantify the long-term fate of buoyant plastics in the ocean | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physi...Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global environmental issue, with buoyant debris accumulating at the surface and posing long-term ecological threats. Although sediments are the ultimate sink for pl... 168
Reposted by Kate SpencerPatrick Marques @pmarques35.bsky.social · 27/10/2025[1/8] Kate Spencer et Nan Wu (Queen Mary University of London) étudient le devenir des plastiques dans l’océan. Leur modèle explique le mystère du "plastique manquant" en montrant comment il migre lentement vers les grands fonds. #geography #pollution #microplastics #oceantheconversation.comScientists have puzzled over what happens to plastic as it breaks down in the ocean – our new study helps explain the mysterySome plastic pollution lingers at the ocean’s surface for more than a century. 113
Reposted by Kate SpencerDamian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 02/12/2025UK and Europe’s hidden landfills at risk of leaking toxic waste into water supplies - Rising flood risks driven by climate change could release chemicals from ageing sites – posing threats to ecosystems Story by @leanahosea.bsky.social and Juliet Ferguson www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comUK and Europe’s hidden landfills at risk of leaking toxic waste into water suppliesExclusive: Rising flood risks driven by climate change could release toxic waste from ageing sites – posing threats to ecosystems 33023
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 03/12/2025It’s not just flood risks - drought and wildfire could damage structural integrity and rising temp can change pollutant uptake and mobility 084
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 02/12/2025@qmul.bsky.social @qmgeogsoc.bsky.social @qmulsse.bsky.social @emmahardymp.bsky.social @earlrussell.bsky.social @thecccuk.bsky.social 000
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 02/12/20251000s of historic landfills across Europe - many in groundwater protection zones and highly vulnerable to flooding and erosion. We are just not adequately assessing the potential risks of climate change on our waste legacy. 1118
Reposted by Kate SpencerLeana Hosea @leanahosea.bsky.social · 02/12/2025Watch @itvnews.bsky.social tonight, as Martin Stew covers our joint report with @investigate-europe.eu on pollution from landfills in the UK + Europe - many so old they're not lined or filtered - in flood risk, coastal erosion or drinking water protection zones. www.itv.com/news/2025-12... 12317
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 02/12/2025@margaretmullanemp.bsky.social @earlrussell.bsky.social @leanahosea.bsky.social @watershed-i.bsky.social 000
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 02/12/2025Not only do these waste criminals avoid landfill tax, but they are also avoiding all the checks and balances that protect people and the environment from the pollutants it contains. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comAt least 8,000 illegal waste sites in UK, research suggestsExclusive: Concerns over impact on health and environment, as well as £1.63bn in avoided landfill tax 11810
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 02/12/2025We certainly have the tools to deal with many of these issues. But the scale of the problem is overwhelming and we just don't have the resources to monitor, regulate and, if needed, remediate all of these sites. We also don't value the lived experience of those of have to live alongside these dumps. 130
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 14/09/2025This is pretty unbelievable - I really thought landfill leachate was better managed. 041
Reposted by Kate SpencerGeorge McGavin @georgemcgavin.bsky.social · 26/08/2025Does anyone in the South of England have a wasp nest in their garden they would wish removed anytime in the next five weeks? This research led by Dr Bob Brown @dr-bob-brown.bsky.social, is helping with control of invasive wasps in New Zealand. 01213
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 26/08/2025Under the right conditions - such as landfills - plastics could take millennia to degrade. Potentially forming future ‘techno fossils’. Fascinating read from Sarah Gabbot. www.nature.com/articles/s41...nature.comUnderstanding environmental impacts of plastic requires a palaeontological lens - Nature Ecology & EvolutionGrowing evidence suggests that timescales for plastic degradation have been vastly underestimated. The fossil record of plastic-like biopolymers might provide a perspective on plastic fossilization in... 020
Reposted by Kate SpencerDr Ry Holland @rythemicroguy.bsky.social · 25/08/2025How can we assess whether microbial degradation of plastic pollution has occurred? Our new systematic review, led by Jennifer Scott, assesses a multitude of methods & makes recommendations to improve study design @heriotwattuni.bsky.social authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0048-9697(25)01917-5 342
Reposted by Kate SpencerNatalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 16/08/2025What a mess we have made of this #PoisonedPlanet, and #PublicHealth. "Research found connections among Pfas-related gene changes and biological pathways involved in leukemia, bladder, liver, thyroid and breast cancers, Alzheimer’s, lupus, asthma & tuberculosis" www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comExposure to some common Pfas changes gene activity, new study findsFindings help decipher mechanisms through which ‘forever chemicals’ cause disease, aiding in treating health problems 26946
Reposted by Kate SpencerNatalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 16/08/2025We're just starting to understand the #biodiversity we are fast trashing. "Cryoconite granules - frozen rainforests”. Each is a self-sustaining ecosystem, containing diverse bacteria, fungi, viruses, protists & even tiny animals like tardigrades & worms" www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...theguardian.comArctic glaciers face ‘terminal’ decline as microbes accelerate ice meltScientists in Svalbard in race to study polar microbes as global heating threatens fragile glacial ecosystems 17133
Reposted by Kate SpencerICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea @icesmarine.bsky.social · 14/08/2025Are you ready for a leadership role where science meets impact? If you see yourself as the next Head of Advice at ICES Secretariat, make sure you get your application in soon! The deadline to apply for this position is Sunday 17 August 2025! 🔗 Apply here www.ices.dk/about-ICES/J... 024
Reposted by Kate SpencerAnson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 09/08/2025Wow - really interesting trial for treating people with advanced head and neck cancer casued by #HPVcancer (like my own) - 'A cancer vaccine using mRNA technology will help the immune system recognise and kill cancer cells containing HPV proteins' #cansky 🧪 bit.ly/4m2LghHbit.lyNHS England » NHS to fast-track patients with head and neck cancer into cancer vaccine trialNHS England » NHS to fast-track patients with head and neck cancer into cancer vaccine trial 34816
Reposted by Kate SpencerJosh Ahmed @geomorphicjosh.bsky.social · 24/07/2025A great few days in #LymeRegis collecting sediment samples to assess the impact and risk posed by an eroding coastal landfill - 80+ samples retrieved and excited to see what they tell us once we get them in the lab! #RACC @profkatespencer.bsky.social @sgrieve.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social 152
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 24/07/2025What a great few days. Smiles all round, ALL the weather, lots of sampling and all on film! @geomorphicjosh.bsky.social @sgrieve.bsky.social 062
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 24/07/2025Wow. What a busy few days and we experienced ALL the weather 🌦️ ☀️ ☔️ 010
Reposted by Kate SpencerAlistair Boxall @alistairboxall.bsky.social · 29/05/2025An excellent piece out today by @phoebeweston.bsky.social at the Guardian on our NERC ECOMIX project which is exploring chemical pollution in Yorkshire's rivers. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comPesticides, antibiotics, animal medicines: the chemical cocktail seeping into our riversThe list of everyday pollutants is a long one, and they could be as damaging to our water ecosystems as sewage spills 0125
Reposted by Kate SpencerSteve Brace @stevebracegeog.bsky.social · 01/06/2025It's #NationalFestivalOfFieldwork in June & have a read of Fiona Sheriff's blog for @geographicalassoc.bsky.social "Fieldwork is such an important part of the geography curriculum for all age groups and we need to ensure it stays firmly on the map." ga-blog.org/2025/05/30/g...ga-blog.orgGet outside! Take part in the National Festival of Fieldwork - The GA BlogFiona Sheriff introduces the National Festival of Fieldwork and encourages everyone to take part with their students this June! 0118
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 20/05/2025The inter-linked risks of climate change and our waste legacy will be felt along our eroding coastlines. Nice interview of @andyrussell.bsky.social at @egu.eu. www.newscientist.com/article/2480... @newscientist.com. Details of our @qmul.ac.uk @ukri.org project at www.ukcoastalandfillresilience.orgnewscientist.comToxic waste is spilling onto beaches as rising seas erode landfillsWaste from old landfill sites is spilling onto beaches as rising seas erode coastlines - and some of it is toxic 042
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Yet more reasons to watch #eurovision 😃 #geographyteacher 010
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 02/05/2025Great day out filming with Pete Middleton from Feefiefoe. Cryptic clue - we saw a LOT of old tights. Watch this space…. For more details of his great work see www.feefiefoe.co.uk/about. @qmul.ac.uk 000
Reposted by Kate SpencerDrRayMarine @drraymarine.bsky.social · 01/05/2025If you're interested in marine ecosystems, the Seascape Symposium at ZSL is the place to be on the 4-5th June. I'll be in London talking about the Sussex Kelp Restoration Project www.zsl.org/seascape-sym... 031
Reposted by Kate SpencerDrRayMarine @drraymarine.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Here's the 50 day free link of our recent paper on Land use impacts on mangrove bird diversity and abundance kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me 021
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 01/05/2025And there are still unanswered questions regarding the impacts on human health. theconversation.com/as-floodwate...theconversation.comAs floodwaters rise, toxic contaminants released from old landfills pose more of a hazard to nature and to usAs floods get more severe and more frequent as a result of climate change, the risk of toxic pollutants being released from old landfills rises. 011
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 01/05/2025We have 1000s #historiclandfill at risk from surface, groundwater and coastal flooding. Further analysis here doi.org/10.1002/wat2...doi.orgPotential pollution risks of historic landfills in England: Further analysis of climate change impactsIn England, 46% of (groundwater) Source Protection Zone 3—total catchment zones contain historic landfills where modern regulations to protect drinking water supplies would not permit their construct... 011
Kate Spencer @profkatespencer.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Further analysis of the risk here doi.org/10.1002/wat2...doi.orgPotential pollution risks of historic landfills in England: Further analysis of climate change impactsIn England, 46% of (groundwater) Source Protection Zone 3—total catchment zones contain historic landfills where modern regulations to protect drinking water supplies would not permit their construct... 000