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Microplastics in Indian Coastal Ecosystems: Sources, Distribution, and Ecological Impact
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This review pulls together a decade of research on microplastic pollution along India's massive coastline, finding that tiny plastic bits are widespread in beaches, water, and sea life, driven by land-based trash, rivers, and fishing gear. Because fish and other seafood are absorbing these plastics, this raises real concerns for food safety and the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. The study doesn't test new samples itself, but it highlights how much we still don't know and calls for better tracking and policy action to protect both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
Microplastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental concern of the twenty-first century, with growing evidence of widespread contamination across marine and coastal ecosystems globally. India, with its 7,500 kilometre coastline, dense coastal populations, intensive fishing activity, and rapidly growing plastic consumption, represents a particularly important context for understanding microplastic dynamics. This article examines microplastics in Indian coastal ecosystems, focusing on sources, distribution, and ecological impact. Drawing on a critical literature review methodology, the study analyses peer-reviewed scholarship and government scientific reports published between 2015 and 2025. The analysis identifies four major dimensions of microplastic pollution in Indian coastal contexts: the diverse sources contributing to microplastic loading, including land-based plastic mismanagement, river inputs, fishing-related debris, and atmospheric deposition; the spatial and temporal distribution patterns across beaches, sediments, surface waters, and biota; the ecological impact on marine organisms, food webs, and ecosystem functioning; and the human health and socioeconomic implications. The study draws on marine pollution science, environmental toxicology, and emerging microplastic-specific research. Findings indicate that microplastic contamination is widespread across Indian coastal regions, with significant variation linked to urban density, river inputs, and fishing intensity. Effects on marine biota, including ingestion by fish, invertebrates, and plankton, have been documented across multiple regions, with implications for fisheries, biodiversity, and food security. The article concludes with implications for environmental policy, scientific research priorities, and integrated coastal zone management in India.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in Indian Coastal Ecosystems: Sources, Distribution, and Ecological Impact
AI summary Read the abstract
This review pulls together a decade of research on tiny plastic particles polluting India's 7,500 km coastline, finding that microplastics are widespread in beaches, water, and sea life, with pollution levels tracking closely with nearby cities, rivers, and fishing activity. Since fish and shellfish are shown to ingest these particles, this raises real concerns for the seafood many coastal communities depend on for food and income. The paper doesn't test new samples itself, but instead synthesizes existing science to highlight where research and policy need to focus next.
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.
Incorporation of Microplastics into Food Chains and their Consequences on marine Biodiversity: An Emerging Environmental Challenge in Maharashtra, India
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This review pulls together existing research showing that tiny plastic bits (microplastics) are building up along India's Maharashtra coast and getting eaten by plankton, shellfish, and fish—including the kinds of seafood people eat. These plastics can harm marine life by causing inflammation, hormone disruption, and other health problems, and they can also carry toxic chemicals up the food chain, raising concerns about what ends up on our plates. The findings underscore the need for better monitoring and pollution controls to protect both ocean ecosystems and the seafood-based diets many communities depend on.
Microplastic Research in India: Current Status and Future Perspectives
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This chapter reviews the state of microplastic research in India, covering contamination data from marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments as well as in seafood and food products consumed by the public. The authors identify inconsistent sampling and identification methods as a key barrier to understanding the true scale of the problem, and argue that improvements in waste management and stronger regulations are urgently needed. Given India's large coastline, major river systems, and rapidly growing plastic consumption, this review highlights an important knowledge gap in global microplastic risk assessment.
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.
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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.