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Geospatial analysis and environmental risk assessment of microplastic (MP) pollution in hydro-environment of the Morwa River Catchment area, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Scientists studying a river system in India found tiny plastic particles (mostly a common plastic called polyethylene) not just in surface water, but also in groundwater—the water source many people rely on for drinking. This matters because groundwater is often assumed to be naturally filtered and safe, so finding microplastics there suggests our drinking water sources may be more vulnerable to plastic contamination than we thought. The researchers also suggest safer, biodegradable plastic alternatives that could help reduce this kind of pollution going forward.
Plastics, particularly in aquatic ecosystems, are considered a growing environmental threat, as mismanaged plastic waste and microplastics (MP) arising from them adversely affect humans and other biota by penetrating the food chain. Despite the global attention on MP pollution in marine and freshwater environments, research on groundwater contamination by MP in India is limited, and the origin and associated hazards of MP in groundwater remain vague. This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining MP across various environmental compartments, including groundwater, surface water, and sediment in the Morwa River Catchment area in Uttar Pradesh, India. This study conducted source apportionment and assessed the prevalence, physical properties, and polymer composition of MP in the study area by collecting 11 sets of groundwater, surface water, and sediment samples and using a Confocal Raman spectroscope to identify the polymer types of the MP. This study revealed that most MP fall within the 1-100 µm size range, predominantly of fragment type in all samples, and are composed of polyethylene (PE). Environmental Risk Assessment, including Microplastic Diversity Index (DI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Polymer Risk Assessment Index (H) of the study area, was also conducted to determine the potential impact of the identified MP type by shape or polymer. Furthermore, in line with the commitment to sustainable environmental practices, this study proposes green alternatives, which are environmentally benign materials, for the identified polymers in the study area. The selection and evaluation of these green alternatives aim to reduce environmental persistence, minimize toxicity, and promote biodegradability, thereby contributing to a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 and 12 by 2030.
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