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Spatiotemporal distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in the beach sediments of Ramanathapuram, Southeast coast of Tamil Nadu
Summary
Scientists studying beaches in southeast India found tiny plastic bits, mostly fibers from things like clothing and packaging, scattered throughout the sand, with even more showing up after monsoon rains wash debris into the sea. While one risk measure called the pollution low, more detailed tests showed these plastics pose a serious ecological danger, meaning they could work their way up the food chain and eventually onto our plates through seafood. This matters because it shows plastic pollution isn't just an eyesore on beaches, it's a growing contamination problem that needs better waste management to protect both marine life and the food we eat.
The present study investigates the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in beach sediments of six sampling sites along the Ramanathapuram coast, Southeast Tamil Nadu, India between July 2024 and June 2025. Sediment samples were collected across four seasons such as pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and summer. The collected samples were analysed for microplastic abundance, spatial and seasonal variation and their morphological and chemical characteristics. The mean microplastic abundance in sediment was 78.68 ± 6.9 items/kg dry weight. Spatial distribution revealed higher microplastic contamination at Thondi and temporal distribution during the monsoon season. Microplastic with size 1-2 mm (23.48%), blue colour (34.09%) and fibre (45.16%) were more prevalent in sediment. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymers. Weathered patterns were observed by SEM analysis. PLI classified all sampling sites as hazard level I (1.46). Though PLI indicates low, PHI revealed the risk as hazard level V (48578) and also PERI as danger (1067). Overall, the results of the present study show the ecological threat by microplastic pollution and highlight the need for pollution monitoring and plastic waste management.