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Macro and Micro-Litter Pollution at Crow Island Beach: Abundance and CompositionMacro and Micro-Litter Pollution at Crow Island Beach: Abundance and Composition
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Researchers surveyed litter at Crow Island Beach in Sri Lanka, near the Kelani River mouth, finding mostly household waste, with HDPE and PP plastics most common. Pollution index scores showed heavy contamination, with litter increasing after rainfall, suggesting the river carries waste to the coast.
Marine litter pollution has become an increasing environmental concern worldwide. The coastal regions near major river mouths are highly vulnerable to accumulation of litter. Crow Island Beach is located at the mouth of the Kelani River, Sri Lanka, one of the major rivers in Sri Lanka, which is the source of water for the capital, however, has no comprehensive scientific data on source identification, litter abundance, composition, and pollution status. This study was conducted in January, February, and May 2026 across 10 sampling locations along the beach to assess the pollution level at the beach. 2.5 m2 quadrat was used to collect macro-litter samples, and FTIR spectroscopy was used to perform polymer identification. To evaluate the overall pollution status of the beach, the Clean Coast Index (CCI) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were calculated. Results indicated that domestic and household waste was the dominant source of macro-litter, and the most abundant identified polymer types were HDPE and PP. The 0.5- 5 cm range plastic debris category represented the largest proportion of collected litter, suggesting extensive fragmentation of macro-litter due to prolonged weathering. Spatial analysis was used to identify persistent litter accumulation hotspots, particularly near major accumulation areas influenced by riverine inflows. The calculated CCI value of 180.8 and PLI value of 2.2 indicated a highly polluted coastal environment. Field observations identified clinically related waste, including syringes and blood collection tubes. Increased litter accumulation during periods of rainfall and high-water levels suggest that riverine transport may contribute to litter accumulation. This study contributes quantitative baseline data on macro- litter abundance, polymer composition, and pollution indices for the coastal region of Colombo.
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Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in the Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka: Estuaries of Kelani River to Mahaoya
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Microplastic abundance and types were quantified in beach sediments and seawater across nine sites along 42 km of Sri Lanka's western coast, documenting widespread contamination in estuarine and coastal environments.
Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in the Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka: Estuaries of the Kelani River to Mahaoya
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Microplastics were found in both beach sediments and coastal seawater along 42 kilometers of Sri Lanka's western coastline, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene being the most common types. The results document significant plastic contamination along the coast of a densely populated South Asian nation, raising concerns about exposure for coastal communities and marine life in the Indian Ocean region.
Quantification and morphological characterization of plastic litter (0.30–100 mm) in surface waters of off Colombo, west coast of Sri Lanka
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Surface water off Colombo, Sri Lanka, contained an average of 140 plastic items per square meter, with 99.6% classified as small microplastics under 1 mm in size. Filament-shaped plastics dominated and concentrations were highest near the most populated coastal districts, reflecting urban plastic pollution inputs.
Evidence of Microplastic Contamination in Surface Waters and Sediment of Kelani River Estuary
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Researchers collected water and sediment samples from nine locations along the Kelani River estuary in Sri Lanka and found evidence of microplastic contamination at all sites from headwaters to the coast. The study is one of the first to document microplastic pollution in Sri Lankan waterways, highlighting a gap in regional monitoring.
Evidence of microplastics pollution in coastal beaches and waters in southern Sri Lanka
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Researchers found microplastic pollution along 91 km of coastline in southern Sri Lanka, with 60% of beach sand sites and 70% of surface water sites testing positive, characterizing the polymers, shapes, and colors present across the sampled coastal environments.
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