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Mapping microplastic pollution in water and sediment at Chandipur coast, Bay of Bengal, East coast of India
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Researchers studied microplastics in water and sediment at Chandipur coast, India, finding higher levels before monsoon season than after. The particles, mostly black fibers made of plastics like PVC and polyethylene, carried metals such as zinc and lead on their surfaces, and risk calculations showed some highly hazardous polymer types despite overall low to moderate pollution levels.
The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) is a major health concern today, but their risk assessment in an open system has not been clearly investigated. The present study focused on analysing the distribution and risk assessment of MPs present in the Chandipur coastal region, East Coast, India. The water and sediment samples from pre- and post-monsoon periods were analysed, extracted, and visualized using compound, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, revealing black fiber form. The abundance of MPs in water and sediments was found to be higher during the pre-monsoon season (283 ± 195.02 particles/L and 294 ± 199.80 particles/g) compared to post monsoon (86 ± 61.40 particles/L and 177 ± 358.02 particles/g). According to the spatial distribution of MPs, industrial sewage is the major source of pollution, followed by fishing and domestic wastes. According to the size distribution, the MPs in the present study ranged between 1 and 5 mm, showing an abundance between 10 and 100 µm. The finding from Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed dominance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Elemental analysis through SEM/EDX suggested the presence of inorganic pollutants and additives like Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Aluminium (Al), Strontium (Sr), etc. As per the calculated pollution load index (PLI) of water and sediment, it was found to vary between 0.99 and 8.37. The polymer hazard index (PHI), Sediment Polymer Hazard Index (SPHI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) confirmed the presence of highly hazardous polymer types despite low to moderate PLI. The findings of the present study highlight the critical issue of microplastic (MP) pollution in both water and sediments, where they can act as significant carriers of toxic metals. Observations from Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis suggest that the microplastic surface might promote the adsorption of heavy metals.
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Seasonal variation, polymer hazard risk and controlling factors of microplastics in beach sediments along the southeast coast of India
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination at six beaches along India's southeast coast, comparing seasonal variation and hazard risk. They found that polyethylene and polypropylene fibers were the most common types, likely originating from fishing, textile, and urban activities. Although overall contamination levels were low, the presence of hazardous polymers like PVC and polystyrene contributed to a very high ecological risk index for marine life.
Seasonal and spatial variations in the distribution pattern, sources and impacts of microplastics along different coastal zones of Tamil Nadu, India
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Surveys of four coastal zones in Tamil Nadu, India found microplastics in both sediments and water at all sites, with the highest concentrations during the monsoon season when river runoff carries more plastic waste into the ocean. The researchers identified 16–23 different polymer types per season and found that weathered particles were carrying hazardous heavy metals on their surfaces. The study provides one of the most detailed spatiotemporal profiles of coastal microplastic contamination in India, underscoring the need for urgent pollution control measures in heavily populated coastal regions.
Microplastic Pollution in Commercially Important Seafood from Chandipur, Bay of Bengal, East Coast of India: A Detailed Risk Analysis
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Scientists tested popular fish and shrimp from India's Bay of Bengal coast and found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) not just in the guts, but also in the muscle tissue — the part people actually eat. Some of these plastics, including PVC and PET (common in pipes and bottles), were found at levels considered hazardous, and contamination was worse during monsoon season, likely due to rain washing plastic waste into the sea. This matters because eating seafood is a direct way microplastics and their chemicals could enter our bodies, and this study is among the first to measure that risk in this specific region.
The extent of microplastic pollution along the eastern coast of India: Focussing on marine waters, beach sand, and fish
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across water, sand, and fish from seven major beaches along India's eastern coast, finding widespread pollution dominated by polyethylene and polystyrene with hazard indices indicating potential ecological risk.
Ecological footprint of microplastics in coastal and estuarine environments of India: Sediment-water interface analysis
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This study mapped microplastic pollution across 16 coastal and estuarine sites along India's coastline, finding contamination everywhere with concentrations varying based on local human activities like port operations, tourism, and fishing. The microplastics were mostly small fibers and fragments under 500 micrometers, and certain plastic types were especially good at absorbing heavy metals. This means microplastics in coastal waters serve as carriers that can transport toxic metals into the seafood chain and ultimately into human diets.
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