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Microplastic pollution in the water and sediment of the Karnaphuli River, Bangladesh: An ecological risk assessment
Summary
Researchers assessed the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics along the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Microplastic concentrations were higher in sediment than surface water and elevated in downstream locations, with fibers and fragments of PET, polyethylene, and polystyrene being the most common types, and the ecological risk assessment rated the pollution as Category I, indicating a significant pollution load.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a new global pollutant, endangering marine ecosystems. Nonetheless, research on MP pollution in Bangladesh's estuaries and coastal environments is scare. Here, we carried out the experiment to evaluate the spatial and temporal variations of MPs along both bank of the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram city of Bangladesh, encompassing nearly all locations where the river traverses the city, while also accounting for the ecological risk assessment. The findings revealed that the potential MP content in surface water and bottom sediment varied from 14.24 to 26. 68 items m and 75.63 to 272.45 items kg, respectively. MPs were detected in higher levels in sediment in winter but not in water until early summer. Furthermore, MPs were found at elevated levels in downstream surface water and sediment. MPs ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 mm were widespread, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes and black and blue being the most common colors. The MPs' chemical composition includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), cellulose acetate (CA), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polystyrene (PS), and polyamide (PA). Surface water and bottom sediment showed a moderate correlation with MP abundance. The MP pollution's ecological danger in the Karnaphuli River was rated as Category I, suggesting a significant pollution load caused by MPs. This study sheds new light on the prevalence of MPs in the surface water and bottom sediment of the Karnaphuli River estuary, establishing the framework for future research and management of MP pollution.