We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic in upper Himalayan Ganga river: Occurrence, seasonal dynamics and ecological risk
Summary
Researchers quantified microplastics at 19 sites across the upper Himalayan Ganga River over six months, finding concentrations of 100–1,550 particles per liter in water and rising contamination levels downstream toward densely populated cities, with fibers, polyethylene, and post-monsoon conditions dominating the pollution profile.
Ganga river supports about 500 million population in the Gangetic Plain. Still, the occurrence of toxic pollutants in the Ganga river is an emerging concern, questioning its ecological health. This study is the first to quantify the microplastic (MP) and its characteristics, seasonal dynamics (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon), and environmental risk in the 19 sites (sample size, n = 228) in the upper Himalayan stretch of Ganga (Devprayag, Zone-I; Rishikesh, Zone-II; Haridwar, Zone-III) with multiples sampling (6 months). Average MP particles were found in the range of 100-1550 particles/L in water and 50-1300 particles/kg in sediment samples. MP flux showed an increased trend (Zone-I < Zone-II < Zone-III) while the river flows from the foothills of the Himalayas to densely populated bank cities. MP-sized 500 μm to 5 mm were dominant in sediment (45.68 %) and water (52.73 %) during pre-monsoon. MP-sized 500 μm to 5 mm, 250 μm to 500 μm, and 50 μm to 250 μm were found to be 45.68 %, 27.57 %, and 26.75 % in water and 52.73 %, 23.03 %, and 24.24 % in sediments, respectively with abundance during post-monsoon. μATR-FTIR analysis revealed polyethylene, polyamides and polystyrene as dominant polymers and no drastic change occurred in polymer types between studied seasons. The fibers were the predominant particle type, followed by fragments and films across the studied stretch of the Ganga river. The pollution load index suggested that Zone-I and Zone-II fall under hazard category 1 while Zone-III in category 2. Polymer hazard index and potential ecological risk index data suggested an extreme pollution level of MP in a studied stretch of the Ganga river. This study emphasizes the adverse impacts of beach activities, tourist accommodations, and open waste disposals on river health, highlighting the urgent action required for effective plastic waste management. We urged a comprehensive study on MPs in the Ganga river basin, which serves as pathways and sinks for these particles into the ocean.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
First report on microplastics in tributaries of the upper Ganga River along Dehradun, India: Quantitative estimation and characterizations
Researchers quantified microplastics in tributaries of the upper Ganga River near Dehradun, India, finding significant contamination in both water and sediments dominated by fibers and fragments, providing the first baseline data for this ecologically important region.
Sources and factors influencing microplastic concentration during monsoon season in the Ganga River, Bihar, India
Researchers investigated sources and factors influencing microplastic concentrations in the Ganga River during monsoon season, finding that untreated residential and industrial waste from major Indian cities contributes significantly to contamination of one of the world's most biodiverse rivers.
Urbanization and population resources affect microplastic concentration in surface water of the River Ganga
Researchers found that microplastic concentrations in River Ganga surface water were significantly higher near urbanized and densely populated areas, with fibers and fragments being the dominant types, indicating that urbanization and population density are key drivers of riverine microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in the River Ganga and its fishes: Study of a Himalayan River
This study investigated microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and fish in the upper stretch of the River Ganga in Uttarakhand, India, providing baseline data on microplastic distribution in a Himalayan river reach previously unstudied.
Insights into the seasonal variation, distribution, composition and dynamics of microplastics in the Ganga River ecosystem of Varanasi City, Uttar Pradesh, India
Researchers measured microplastic pollution in the Ganga River in Varanasi, India, and found contamination in both water and sediment samples across all seasons. Concentrations were higher after the monsoon season, with common plastics like polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, and PVC dominating the samples. Since the Ganga is used for drinking water, bathing, and agriculture by millions of people, this contamination raises direct concerns about human exposure to microplastics.