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Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in Indian Water Bodies: Present Understanding and Future Challenges
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This review pulls together existing research on tiny plastic particles (microplastics) found in India's rivers and lakes, showing that fibers and fragments from common plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene are widespread contaminants. While the health effects on humans aren't fully known yet, these plastics can enter drinking water sources and the food chain, and the researchers point out that scientists still need standardized testing methods and more monitoring to truly understand the risks. The takeaway: microplastic pollution in freshwater is a growing concern, but much more research is needed before we can say exactly how it affects human health.
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have become emerging environmental contaminants due to their adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. In India, increasing plastic production coupled with inadequate recycling practices has significantly contributed to MP pollution, attracting growing scientific attention in recent years. This review presents a comprehensive assessment of MPs in Indian freshwater systems and examines their potential impacts on ecosystem services. Most existing studies have primarily concentrated on the occurrence and abundance of MPs, while limited information is available regarding their sources, transport mechanisms, environmental behaviour, and long-term ecological consequences. Current findings indicate that white-colored Fibres and fragments, mainly composed of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene (PE), are the predominant MP types detected in Indian freshwater environments. Analytical techniques vary according to particle size, with larger MPs (>500 μm) commonly identified using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), whereas smaller particles (<500 μm) are generally characterized through μ-FTIR imaging. However, inconsistencies in sampling strategies and analytical methodologies hinder reliable comparisons among studies. Therefore, future research should emphasise the development of standardized protocols, rigorous contamination control, long-term monitoring programs, advanced analytical methods, and expand ed investigations of freshwater ecosystems, particularly in central India, to enhance understanding and facilitate effective management of MP pollution.
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Microplastics in Indian Freshwater Systems: Current Status and Future Research Needs
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This review paper pulls together existing research on tiny plastic particles (microplastics) found in India's rivers and lakes, highlighting how widespread they've become in freshwater systems that many people rely on for drinking water and fishing. The authors point out that scientists still don't fully understand how much of these plastics end up in our food and water, or what health risks they might pose—meaning more research is urgently needed to answer these open questions. Since freshwater is a direct pathway for microplastics to enter our bodies, understanding this contamination matters for anyone drinking tap water or eating fish from affected areas.
A Critical Review on the Characterization and Distribution of Microplastic Contaminants in Indian Water Environments: Pathways and Related Hazards
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This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in India's freshwater environments, including rivers and lakes. While marine ecosystems have gotten the most attention, freshwater sources — which supply drinking water — are also heavily contaminated. The findings highlight how inadequate waste management and recycling infrastructure allow microplastics to spread through the water systems that communities depend on.
Microplastics – an emerging threat in the Indian waterbodies
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This review examines the current state of microplastic research in Indian aquatic ecosystems, documenting widespread contamination in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters alongside growing evidence of impacts on aquatic biota. The authors call for standardized national monitoring frameworks to better characterize and address India's emerging microplastic pollution crisis.
Microplastic Pollution in India's Marine and Inland Environmental Matrices: A Comprehensive Review
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This review pulls together existing research showing that tiny plastic fragments called microplastics are widespread in India's rivers, coastlines, and drinking water sources, and that fish and other seafood are absorbing them too. This matters because when we eat contaminated seafood or drink affected water, we may be ingesting these particles ourselves, though scientists are still working to fully understand the health effects. The review mainly highlights gaps in current research, signaling that more studies are needed to pin down exactly how risky this contamination is for people.
Microplastics pollution studies in India: a recent review of sources, abundances and research perspectives
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This review summarizes microplastic pollution studies conducted across India, covering sources, distribution, and concentrations in aquatic environments and aquatic organisms. The study highlights the growing scale of microplastic contamination in Indian water bodies and the need for standardized national monitoring programs.
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