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Microplastics Accumulation And Distribution In The Surface Water And Sediment Of The Kosasthalaiyar River, Tamil Nadu, India
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Microplastics were surveyed across water and sediment of Chennai's Kosasthalaiyar River, with highest concentrations found near Buckingham Canal discharge and the Ennore estuary, and FTIR confirming polyethylene, PVC, PET, polypropylene, and nylon fibers as dominant polymers. The study identifies sewage discharge and anthropogenic activity zones as primary MP entry points, demonstrating that inadequate urban waste infrastructure directly drives microplastic loading into coastal marine environments.
Rivers serve a critical role in the migration of microplastics from the land to the ocean. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are fragmented from macroplastics or intentionally manufactured for a variety of purposes. The Kosasthalaiyar River, the largest of Chennai's three rivers, is less well-known, less contaminated and flows through the city's northern regions before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Ennore Creek. In the current study we investigated the distribution and accumulation of microplastics from the various sources of the pollutants, such as anthropogenic activities around the river and estuary, as well as the Buckingham Canal discharge, all flowing through this river into the Bay of Bengal. The water and sediment samples from different sampling sites were collected, extracted and examined under a microscope. The spatial distribution of microplastic concentrations were higher in Buckingham Canal (water) and Ennore estuary (sediment) due to the sewage discharge and anthropogenic activities. Fibres were the most prevalent shape in the sediment and water samples. Smaller-sized microplastics, ranging from 0.1 mm to 1 mm, were prevalent in the water and sediment samples. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis resulted in the chemical composition including polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and nylon. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images exhibited the MPs with cracks and pits. This work enhances our understanding of the destiny, origins, and migration of microplastics from this river to the ocean. The implementation of efficient pollution control techniques helps to protect the river for future generations.
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