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An Analytical Assessment of Microplastic Flux in the Sutlej and Beas Rivers: Comparative Regional Trends and Ecological Implications for Punjab
Summary
Tiny plastic bits from textile factories and industrial waste are building up heavily in Punjab's Sutlej River, especially near Ludhiana, with much less contamination found in the nearby Beas River. These plastics are collecting in the Harike Wetland, a protected bird sanctuary, where they can enter the food chain through fish and birds—and since humans eat fish and drink water from these sources, this pollution could eventually make its way into our own bodies too. The researchers call for better monitoring and filtration systems to catch these plastics before they spread further.
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pervasive threat to freshwater ecosystems, yet its trajectory in the freshwater riverine systems of Punjab remains largely under-scrutinized. Utilizing existing literature and records of national and state pollution control boards, this study presents a comprehensive secondary data analysis of MP contamination in the Sutlej and Beas rivers, focusing on the period between 2021 and 2025. The Sutlej River, particularly downstream of the Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana, shows a predominance of fibrous and fragmented MPs (polyethylene and polypropylene), with significantly higher concentrations than the relatively pristine stretches of the Beas. The findings suggest that the Harike Wetland, a Ramsar site, is increasingly acting as a plastic sink, posing risks to migratory avian fauna and local food chains. This paper concludes by advocating for better policy making, the integration of MP monitoring into the Water Quality Monitoring Programme (WQMP) of the state and suggests that Punjab’s textile hub requires specialized filtration infrastructure to mitigate synthetic fibre discharge and curb MP accumulation.