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Microplastic analysis in coastal waters of Ennore—Tamil Nadu, India: leveraging image processing and FTIR spectroscopy for identification and quantification
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Scientists tested coastal waters near Ennore, India, and found tiny plastic fragments, including types used in packaging, bottles, and pipes, scattered throughout the area, with some spots showing much higher pollution levels than others. Since these waters connect to seafood we eat and ecosystems we depend on, this kind of monitoring matters: it helps track how much plastic is building up in our oceans and supports efforts to reduce it before it accumulates further in the food chain and, potentially, in our bodies.
This study investigates the occurrence, characterization, and spatial distribution of microplastics (MP) in the coastal waters of Tamil Nadu, focusing on a 20 sq.km grid area near the Ennore region. Driven by escalating concerns over plastic pollution, the research aimed to identify and quantify MP types and their distribution across seven distinct sampling locations (E1-E7). The methodology involved meticulous filtration of water samples, followed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for polymer identification and advanced image processing for quantification. The findings consistently revealed the presence of various polymers, including polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) polymer. Significant variations in plastic accumulation were observed across sampling points, with an estimated 0.59 ± 0.53 kg of marine MPs found within the study region's 100,000 m water sample volume. Individual sample measurements ranged from 0.17 to 1.5 kg across various locations. This alarming trend underscores the critical need for continuous environmental monitoring and the implementation of effective mitigation strategies to combat plastic pollution in marine ecosystems. The study highlights the utility of combined spectroscopic and image processing techniques for robust microplastic assessment and provides crucial baseline data for future research and policy interventions in the region.
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Researchers surveyed Kolavai Lake in Tamil Nadu, India, and found microplastics at an average of 6.1 particles per liter across the lake's surface water, with higher concentrations near urban and southern zones. The study used FTIR spectroscopy to confirm the chemical identity of particles and examined how microplastic abundance compares to zooplankton density, finding that microplastics were present at levels that could disrupt plankton feeding. These results highlight how even inland freshwater lakes in India are heavily contaminated, with implications for aquatic food chains and the communities that depend on this water.
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the Adyar and Coovum river estuaries along the Chennai coastline in India. Using FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, they confirmed the presence of microplastics in both water and sediment samples. The study adds to the growing evidence that urban coastal areas in developing regions face significant microplastic pollution challenges.
A Case Study in Kovalam Coastal Village to Identify Microplastics Using FTIR and Mangroves by Ndvi Analysis
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination at Kovalam Beach, a coastal fishing village on India's Coromandel Coast, using FTIR spectroscopy to identify and characterize plastic polymer types in beach and backwater samples, and combined this with NDVI analysis to assess the health of adjacent mangrove ecosystems under pressure from coastal development.
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Floating microplastics were detected in northern Sri Lanka's coastal waters for the first time, with FTIR spectroscopy identifying polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types. The study fills an important data gap for South Asian coastal waters and highlights inputs from local fishing, tourism, and domestic waste. Establishing baseline contamination data is a critical first step toward effective plastic pollution management in the region.
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Researchers investigated plastic pollution in coastal surface waters across 12 regions in southern Sri Lanka, finding an overall mean microplastic density of 17.45 items per cubic metre with filaments as the most common morphology. FTIR characterisation confirmed the polymer types present, with blue-coloured particles being the most abundant across sampling locations.
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