We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in Sediment of the Tropical (Mandovi) Estuary, India: Physical Pollutant and Vectors of Metals
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics—predominantly fibers from fishing and laundry—throughout sediments of the Mandovi Estuary in Goa, India, and discovered that zinc and iron accumulate on the plastic surfaces at elevated concentrations. This double-pollutant role, where microplastics act as carriers of toxic metals, raises the stakes of plastic contamination well beyond the plastics themselves.
Microplastics have emerged as pervasive pollutants in marine environments, originating from the degradation of larger plastic debris and direct inputs from anthropogenic sources. Their small size, persistent nature and low density enable wide dispersion via coastal currents, leading to accumulation in estuarine sediments through hydrodynamic processes. The present study investigated abundance, spatial distribution, and pollution levels of microplastics in surface sediment of the Mandovi Estuary, Goa, with particular emphasis on their role in metal adsorption. Fiber-type was the predominant shape ranging from 53.02%—94.61% of microplastics in sediment contributed mainly from fishing activities and cloth cleaning waste. Among polymer types, polyethylene (PE) was consistently dominant and present across all sampling stations (M1-M8), whereas polypropylene (PP) was restricted to station M5, indicating localized input sources. The prevalence and severity of fiber pollution were validated through the Coefficient of Microplastic Impact (CMPI), revealing maximum to extreme levels of pollution. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) further confirmed significant microplastic pollution in intertidal sediment across lower to middle regions of the Mandovi Estuary. The metals such as Zn and Fe displayed strong affinity for microplastic surfaces, as inferred from their elevated concentrations on isolated microplastic particles. It underscored the complex interactions between microplastic pollution and metal dynamics in the estuarine environment. The study highlighted the dual ecological threat posed by microplastics as both physical pollutants and vectors of metals.
More Papers Like This
Abundance, distribution and characterization of microplastics in Tropical River Estuary, South East Coast of India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled water and sediment across seven sites along the Palar River estuary in southeast India, finding that fiber-shaped high-density polyethylene microplastics dominate, likely originating from fishing gear and industrial discharge. The study establishes a contamination baseline for a multi-source river system, highlighting how riverine environments serve as highways transporting plastic pollution from inland industrial and agricultural sources into coastal marine ecosystems.
Microplastic in the Sediment Ecosystem of India
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated microplastic accumulation in sediment ecosystems across India, including deep-sea environments, finding widespread contamination across diverse marine habitats. Sediment microplastics are a critical concern because they act as long-term reservoirs that slowly release particles and associated toxins into benthic food webs, ultimately reaching commercially harvested seafood consumed by humans.
Microplastic Pollution in Indian Aquatic Ecosystems: Insights and Implications
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers documented widespread microplastic contamination across Indian lakes, rivers, and coastal waters — including in remote high-altitude regions like Ladakh — showing that no aquatic ecosystem in the country is untouched, with direct implications for the hundreds of millions of people who depend on these water sources.
Distribution of Microplastics in Semi-urban Estuary Water Along the West Coast of India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in semi-urban estuary waters along India's west coast, finding that human activities such as port operations, tourism, fishing, and industrial discharges are major contributors to microplastic contamination in these ecologically vital coastal ecosystems.
Microplastic Pollution in Freshwater Sediments: Abundance and Distribution in Selangor River Basin, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled 25 sites along the Selangor River Basin in Malaysia and found microplastics in every sediment sample, with concentrations of 10–55 particles/kg dominated by small black polypropylene and polyester beads from residential, agricultural, and industrial sources. The findings confirm that freshwater river basins are significant reservoirs of microplastic pollution, highlighting the need for monitoring and mitigation beyond ocean-focused research.
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.