Internet users spread misinformation about seawater pollution in Seuti

• Quickly on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, people posted content claiming that Seuti’s seawater was contaminated; according to the post, the number of views exceeded 60,000 within a day.
• On a video with a “seawater” label, a person said that “it is black” and that the cause was a “leak” from a ship; the post claimed that the contamination had spread over 80 kilometres.
• Seauti authorities said the claims were untrue; they noted that the water in the sea had remained clean.

Seuti’s seawater has been found to contain microplastic pollution, Associated Press reported. According to the findings, the number of people who viewed the claims online was close to 60,000 over the course of a day, while the posts about the alleged contamination reached more than 80 kilometres, according to the report.

In the material, AP says it examined publications on Instagram and video on TikTok, and also looked at Facebook posts that showed the same claim. The outlet notes that the posts shared a photo of what appeared to be a ship’s discharge into the sea.

As AP reports, up to several dozen tonnes of plastic waste are carried into the sea from land every year. It also says that microplastics in seawater can be produced by the breakdown of larger plastic items.

In the material, AP says the analysis of samples taken in Seuti showed that the concentration of microplastics was high. The outlet also notes that the samples were taken from points near the coastline.

AP says it has not found evidence supporting the claim that the seawater was contaminated specifically due to an incident involving a ship. The outlet says that, according to its analysis, the microplastics found in the samples could be related to natural sources and everyday human activity.

In a separate report, AP says that the Guardia Civil opened an investigation into the incident after receiving information about a suspected discharge. The outlet says that the investigation is ongoing.

In the material, AP notes that the incident is not the only possible cause of microplastic pollution in the area. The outlet says that the concentration of microplastics can vary depending on location and weather conditions.

Tags: Ecology/Research