We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Soils and Freshwater Ecosystem of Northeast India: Current Status, Pathways, and Knowledge Gaps
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesizes research on microplastic contamination in Northeast India, a region recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot facing growing pollution from domestic waste, agriculture, and aquaculture. The authors assess sources, environmental pathways, and ecological impacts of microplastics in the region's freshwater ecosystems and agricultural soils. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps and calls for targeted policy interventions and community-level strategies to address this emerging environmental threat.
Aim: Microplastics contamination is an escalating environmental threat in Northeast India, critically impacting its fragile ecosystems, agriculture, and public health. The region, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, faces growing microplastics pollution from diverse sources such as domestic waste, agriculture, industrial activities, and aquaculture. This study explores the comprehensive understanding that can guide future research, governance, and regional mitigation strategies. Objective: This review aims to synthesize existing research on microplastics contamination in Northeast India, assess their sources and environmental pathways, evaluate ecological and agricultural impacts, identify critical knowledge gaps, and highlight policy and community-level interventions required for effective management. This review uniquely integrates freshwater–soil linkages, monsoon-driven transport mechanisms, and region-specific policy challenges within the Eastern Himalayan context. Methodology: The review compiles and analyzes available scientific literature, government reports, and regional environmental assessments related to microplastics contamination in Northeast India. A comprehensive search was conducted from 2020 to 2025 using major scientific databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Studies focusing on freshwater ecosystems, soils, biodiversity impacts, and regional waste-management practices were systematically evaluated. Results: Microplastics are commonly found in freshwater systems and agricultural soils, highlighting widespread contamination. Freshwater ecosystems often contain higher levels of microplastics, with significant biological uptake in fish and other aquatic organisms, suggesting potential for trophic transfer and bioaccumulation. In agricultural soils, contamination is linked to practices like plastic mulching, irrigation infrastructure, and land use. Despite these growing concerns, research efforts remain limited and inconsistent, with a lack of standardized methodologies and long-term monitoring. Significance: This review highlights the urgent need for comprehensive monitoring, standardized assessment techniques, and targeted policy action to address microplastics contamination in Northeast India.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soil: A Critical Review in North-East India
AI summary Read the abstract
Northeast India's biodiversity-rich ecosystems face widespread microplastic contamination driven by domestic waste, agriculture, industry, and aquaculture, with significant plastic ingestion documented in fish across major freshwater systems. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps and calls for integrated governance and community-level interventions to address a growing threat to agriculture and public health in a globally important biodiversity hotspot.
Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Across India: A Systematic Review of Studies and Research Gaps
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across India, an area that has received far less attention than waterways. The research identifies polluted irrigation water, industrial discharge, and plastic mulch as key contamination sources, raising concerns about microplastics entering the food supply through crops grown in contaminated soil.
Microplastics pollution: An emerging threat to freshwater aquatic ecosystem of India
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined microplastic pollution as an emerging threat to freshwater aquatic ecosystems in India, discussing sources, distribution, ecotoxicological effects on aquatic biota, and potential human health hazards. The authors highlighted that while marine microplastic research is extensive, freshwater ecosystems in India remain critically understudied relative to the scale of contamination.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems in India: A Comprehensive Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics across freshwater ecosystems in India, synthesizing current literature on contamination levels in rivers, lakes, and other inland water bodies.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems of India: Current Trends and Future Perspectives
AI summary Read the abstract
The study provides a comprehensive review of microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems across India, including lakes and rivers. Researchers found that microplastic research in Indian freshwater environments has grown significantly but remains limited compared to marine studies, highlighting the need for expanded monitoring given India's increasing plastic production and low recycling rates.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.