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Comparative assessment of size-structured plastic hazards in water, sediment, and edible molluscs from the mangrove ecosystem of southern Kerala, India: Dietary risk and management
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Researchers studying a mangrove forest in India found high levels of tiny plastic particles in the mud, water, and in edible shellfish (like oysters) that people commonly eat from the area. The plastic tends to build up in the sediment first, then gets picked up by shellfish, meaning people who eat these mollusks could be exposed to plastic particles through their diet—though this study didn't directly test health effects, it highlights the need for better pollution control and food safety guidelines in these coastal areas.
Mangrove ecosystems, renowned as coastal protectors, also serve as major sinks of plastic debris. The study assessed size-partitioned plastic pollution in water, sediment, and two edible mollusc species, Telescopium telescopium and Crassostrea madrasensis, from the Ayiramthengu Mangrove Forest (AMF), an ecologically significant environmental hotspot along the southwest coast of India. The distinct habitats, contrasting feeding strategies, and prominence of these edible molluscs in local diets highlight their ecological and dietary significance, making them suitable sentinel species for cross-matrix microplastic (MP) assessment. MP contamination assessed following the NOAA protocols in AMF revealed a high abundance of macro-, meso-, and microplastics in the sediments of Site 1. All analyses were performed using procedural blanks and rigorous contamination controls. The evident spatial variations observed in MP distribution resulted from differences in anthropogenic activities and hydrodynamic transport. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS) were the major MP contaminants. The pronounced spatial variation in MP distribution, as reflected by the particle abundance, indicated that mangrove sediments act as the primary reservoir, retaining more particles than the surrounding water, thereby enhancing their bioavailability to molluscs and dietary exposure. However, direct implications of MP on human health were not evaluated in this study. The high Polymer Hazard Index and Pollution Load Index of each site indicate the intensity of MP pollution in AMF. Overall, the results of the study provide season-specific patterns and baseline information for future monitoring and management of plastic pollution, prioritizing targeted debris removal and restoration along with implementation of proper dietary guidelines.
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Researchers studied seasonal microplastic ingestion by fish and shellfish species in the Pichavaram mangrove forest in southeastern India, finding the highest contamination during monsoon season due to runoff. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET were the dominant polymer types, with fibers being the most common shape. The study reveals that mangrove ecosystems are vulnerable to microplastic pollution, with potential consequences for food safety given that these species are consumed by humans.
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles in water, mud, and seafood like shellfish and crabs in two river areas in India. These microplastics carry harmful chemicals and are getting into the food chain, which could affect the safety of seafood that people eat. While the current risk appears low, this research shows we need better policies to reduce plastic pollution to protect both ocean ecosystems and human food sources.
Characterization and risk assessment of microplastics accumulated in sediments and benthic molluscs in the mangrove wetlands along the south-west coast of India
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in mangrove sediments and four species of benthic molluscs from Vembanad Lake, a major estuary on India's southwest coast. Average sediment contamination levels were relatively high compared to other mangrove regions in India, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymers, and ecological risk indices indicated severe microplastic pollution risk for the molluscs studied.
The Mud Crab Buffet: Microplastics pollution in Scylla Serrata from Kota Mangroves
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Researchers recovered 264 microplastic particles from the guts of mud crabs (Scylla serrata) collected from mangroves in Karnataka, India, averaging about 29 particles per crab, with polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, and polyester being the dominant plastics. A hazard index assessment rated the microplastic contamination as a severe risk to the crabs, underscoring the threat to mangrove ecosystems and the seafood that humans consume from them.
Microplastic contamination in Kerala's coastal ecosystems: a review of sources, distribution, and ecological implications
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Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in Kerala's coastal waters and sediments, finding concentrations as high as 200 particles per liter in some areas, with pollution disrupting mangrove and coral reef ecosystems, entering the food chain through seafood, and posing inflammation and endocrine disruption risks to humans.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.