Run River Run

Part 2: Disconnection

If Part 1 was about tracing the Hunter River from source to sea, Part 2 looks beneath the surface.

Along the way, the beauty of the river meets a less visible reality: the microplastics and pollution moving through the waterways we so often overlook. Through adventure, environmental research and quiet moments of reflection, Disconnection explores what we fail to notice — and what we might discover if we stopped long enough to pay attention.

Glenbawn Dam Paddle

Run River Run - Part 2

Extended Interview:
The Science Beneath the Surface

In this 38-minute conversation, environmental scientist Dr Thava Palanisami explores the science behind the water samples collected along the Hunter River.

What does it mean to find microplastics in some of the river’s most remote reaches? How do these particles travel through wind, rain and waterways? And what does this reveal about our idea of an untouched environment?

The conversation takes us beyond what we can see, revealing how even the most remote places are connected to the way we live.

"Perhaps the river wasn’t asking me to find anything. Perhaps it was simply asking me to pay attention."

Research & Further Reading

The journey down the Hunter River also contributed to a wider scientific investigation into microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.

The findings have been published in Science of the Total Environment, examining microplastic concentrations, polymer-specific ecological risks and changes in microbial communities across five Hunter River sampling sites.

Read the published research: Polymer-specific microplastic risks and microbial community shifts in a freshwater ecosystem

Acknowledgements

Run River Run was made possible by the generosity, talent and support of the people and organisations who helped bring this journey to life.

Martin Fitzpatrick
Filming and cinematography
James Nightingale
Editing
Luke Solly, Dan Randall & Bruce Dowswell
Crew support along the journey
Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL)
For financial support and research collaboration, helping connect this adventure with a wider scientific investigation into the health of our waterways.
Starboard
For support of the project and commitment to getting the story out into the world.