Microplastic contamination in Kerala's coastal ecosystems: a review of sources, distribution, and ecological implications

Microplastic contamination poses substantial environmental challenges Kerala's coastal ecosystems, with major consequences for marine biodiversity, human health, and socioeconomic development. This study focused into the sources, distribution, ecological effects, and mitigation approaches for microplastic contamination in places especially Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Alappuzha regions. The detailed review studies exhibit and revealed alarming levels of pollution, with microplastic concentrations of up to 200 pieces per liter in Thiruvananthapuram and 180 pieces per liter in Kannur, while sediment samples showed 150 pieces per gram in Kochi, 120 pieces per gram in Kozhikode, and 100 pieces per gram in Alappuzha, respectively. The particle sizes in water ranged from 1 to 1000 µm, and in sediments, it is ranged from 5 to 500 µm. This study emphasis on critical ecological disruptions in mangrove and coral reef ecosystems, such as altered nutrient cycling, decreased habitat quality, and weakened symbiotic relationships that cascade through the marine food chain, affecting commercially valuable fish species and other marine organisms. Human health risks include inflammatory illnesses, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenic consequences, with seafood eating identified as primary source of exposure. Pollution sources mainly consist of irregular waste management, industrial discharges, tourism activities, and climate change vulnerability. The study suggests an integrated mitigation framework to address these issues, highlighting the significance of current innovations and efficient monitoring procedures. This framework includes enhanced waste management systems, more stringent regulations, sustainable tourism practices, and community awareness actions. This thorough review analysis provides critical insights for policymakers, environmental managers, and researchers, developing the path for long-term management of Kerala's coastal ecosystems while protecting biodiversity and human health.