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Assessment of spatial distribution, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics in the estuarine and coastal regions of the northern Bay of Bengal
Summary
Surveys of the northeastern Bay of Bengal found surface water MP concentrations up to 1,640 items/m³ in the Karnaphuli estuary, dominated by fiber-shaped polypropylene particles, with pollution risk indices ranging from medium to very high across estuarine and coastal zones. The high MP burden in this densely populated coastal region poses serious risks to marine biodiversity, local fisheries, and the millions of people who depend on Bay of Bengal seafood as a dietary staple.
Microplastics (MPs) have recently emerged as a significant environmental problem with devastating consequences for organisms. Understanding MPs pollution in the Bay of Bengal is crucial for assessing its ecological impact on marine biodiversity and human health. This study examined the occurrence, spatial distribution, physical and chemical properties, ecological risks, and probable sources of MPs in estuarine and coastal marine environments in the northeastern Bay of Bengal. The average concentration of MPs in surface water of the Karnaphuli estuary, the Meghna estuary, and the southeastern coastal region were 916.7±462.6 items/m3, 462.9±324.5 items/m3, and 350.0±190.5 items/m3 respectively, varying from 105.0±324.5 items/m3 to 1 640.0±462.6 items/m3. In the sediments of the Karnaphuli estuary, the Meghna estuary, and the southeast coast of Bangladesh, the average amount of MPs were 94.3±33.1 items/kg, 157.6±89.0 items/kg, and 134.3±38.7 items/kg, with a range of 60± 33.1 items/kg to 334.3±89.0 items/kg. Most observed MPs were fibers (60.0% in the water; 56.0% in the sediments), followed by fragments and lines. Detected MPs were dominated by polypropylene (20.7%) in the water, and acrylic (15.4%) in the sediment, black colored (76.2% in the water, 72.7% in the sediments), and 200–500 µm sized (48% in the water, 37% in the sediments). Pollution Risk Index (PRI) indicated significant pollution levels (from medium to very high) in estuarine and coastal areas. Multi-statistical analysis indicated land-based inputs (tourists, local waste, agriculture, and industry) dominated the studied regions. The study emphasized the potential impact of MPs pollution on aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing the need for effective management, mitigation methods, continuous surveillance, and thorough evaluation.