Status of Plastic Pollution in the Marine Sediments along the Karachi Coast, Pakistan

Shah, M.I. and Farooq, S., 2024. Status of plastic pollution in the marine sediments along the Karachi Coast, Pakistan. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 1026-1030. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Plastic pollution in marine environment is now a serious problem worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the plastic pollution in the coastal sediments of most popular beaches of Hawksbay (HB) and Mubarak village (MV) Karachi. The microplastics were found in all the samples collected from the two beaches. The fibers were the most abundant type of MPs (85 %) in all the samples followed by the fragments. The color classification indicates that the transparent MPs are the most dominant type at MV beach. Twelve plastic polymers were identified through FTIR spectroscopy. Most of the identified MPs were the main components of nylon ropes, plastics bottles, and disposable plastics boxes. The results indicate that the studied beaches were grossly polluted with MP. This study provides information which can be used in the assessment and management of marine pollution.