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Assessment of secondary microplastics trapped in mangrove ecosystem of a highly populated tropical megacity, India
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Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in Mumbai's mangrove ecosystem across six zones and 30 sampling sites. They found an average of 6,730 microplastic particles per kilogram of dry sediment, dominated by fibers and polyethylene, with concentrations decreasing at greater sediment depths, highlighting the need for management policies to protect coastal environments.
• Mumbai mangrove sediments contain 6730±2063 MPs particles/kg dry weight. • Sediment samples are dominated by silt, followed by sand and clay. • Microplastic load decreases with increasing sediment depth in the mangrove ecosystem. • Fibers (56.1%), particles <100 µm (38.5%), and polyethylene dominate microplastic types. This study quantified microplastics (MPs) in six zones of the Mumbai mangrove ecosystem through random sampling at 30 sites using the density separation method for extraction and analysis. A total of 2,035 particles were identified based on their shape, color, and size using a stereomicroscope. The results revealed a high abundance of MPs in mangrove sediments, averaging 6,730.2 ± 2,063.9 particles/kg dry weight. The highest average was recorded in the Versova region (7,885.7 particles/kg d.w.), while the lowest was in Sewri (5,785.7 particles/kg d.w.). Fibers (56.1%), particles < 100 µm (38.5%), and translucent/transparent items (30.8%) were the predominant types. Micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that the most common plastic polymer was polyethylene (36.91%), followed by polyester (21.33%) and polyamide (13.47%). This study provides critical estimates of MPs abundance in Mumbai's mangrove sediments, highlighting the urgent need for management plans and policies to address microplastic production and release into coastal waters, thereby protecting marine organisms.
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Spatiotemporal variations of microplastics in the surface sediments of a tropical mangrove ecosystem in south-western India
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Researchers studied microplastic distribution in mangrove sediments along India's southwestern coast across different seasons and found contamination present year-round. Microplastic concentrations varied seasonally, with higher levels detected during certain periods linked to monsoon runoff and human activity. The study highlights that mangrove ecosystems, which provide critical environmental services, are accumulating microplastic pollution from surrounding areas.
Occurrence, distribution and characterization of microplastics from a tropical blue carbon ecosystem in southwest india
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Microplastics were found in mangrove sediments along a tropical coastline, with concentrations varying by location depending on proximity to urban areas and river inputs. Mangroves are increasingly recognized as habitats that trap both terrestrial and marine plastic debris, concentrating it in their sediments. The findings add to growing evidence that mangrove ecosystems are significant sinks for microplastic pollution with potential consequences for the rich biodiversity they support.
Microplastic pollution in coastal ecosystem off Mumbai coast, India
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across water, sediment, and marine fish in the coastal waters off Mumbai, India. They found an average of 372 particles per liter in water and 9,630 particles per kilogram in sediment, with pelagic fish species containing up to 9 microplastic items per individual. The study identified eleven different polymer types and emphasizes that microplastic transfer through the food chain underscores the need for processing interventions to reduce contamination in fish destined for human consumption.
Evidence of elevated microplastic accumulation in Pacific Island mangrove sediments
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Researchers found that mangrove sediments in Fiji contained nearly ten times more microplastics than surrounding non-mangrove areas, with consistent results across both urban and rural sites. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, and the contamination levels were comparable to heavily polluted regions elsewhere in the world. The study highlights that mangroves, while vital coastal ecosystems, may be acting as significant traps for microplastic pollution in Pacific Island nations.
ACCUMULATION OF MICROPLASTICS (<300 µM) IN MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF BANDA ACEH CITY, INDONESIA
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Researchers measured microplastic accumulation in mangrove sediments in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, finding up to 3,840 particles per kilogram of sediment — with plastic pellets and fibers smaller than 300 micrometers being the most common types — suggesting these coastal ecosystems are acting as significant traps for plastic pollution from nearby land and waterways.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.