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Microplastic Contamination in Kollidam River Estuary, East Coast of India: A Comparative Study Across Inner, Outer and Mangrove Estuarine Regions
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination across inner, outer, and mangrove zones of the Kollidam River estuary on India's east coast, finding polypropylene and polyethylene as dominant polymers and identifying mangrove regions as significant sinks for MP accumulation. The designation of mangroves as MP hotspots is ecologically important because these coastal nursery habitats support fisheries and biodiversity, meaning plastic accumulation there can enter food webs that ultimately reach human consumers.
Increased mismanaged plastic has led to widespread microplastic (MPs) contamination in the marine environment. Our study investigates MPs across the inner, outer, and mangrove regions of the Kollidam River estuary on the east coast of India. Surface water and sediment samples at 18 locations were analysed for size, shape, colour, and polymer type. The average MP abundance in surface water and sediment was 2.42 particles. m−3and 1580 ± 705 particles. kg−1d.w. respectively. The predominant polymer types observed were PP (40%), PE (26%), and PAc (24%). Medium-sized particles (1–2.5 mm) are more in surface water (44%), and small-sized (0.01–1 mm) particles dominate in sediment samples (50%). The most common MP shapes were fibres and fragments, with transparent MPs being the most frequently observed colour. The results highlight that the mangrove region acts as a potential sink for microplastic pollution.
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Researchers reviewed microplastic pollution dynamics along RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, India, synthesizing evidence on how particle accumulation in nearshore marine environments threatens local ecosystems and represents a potential exposure pathway for coastal communities.
Assessment of spatial distribution, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics in the estuarine and coastal regions of the northern Bay of Bengal
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