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Characterisation and distribution of microplastics in the inner shelf sediments of the southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal
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Researchers sampled seafloor sediments along India's southeast coast in the Bay of Bengal and found widespread microplastic contamination, documenting the types, shapes, and chemical makeup of the particles. The findings reveal how plastic pollution is building up in coastal marine sediments that support fisheries and local food supplies.
Microplastics (MPs) are one of the major substantial pollutants in the environment and are stored in sediments worldwide, especially in marine environments. This study shed light on the abundance, distribution, sources and chemical composition of MPs present in the surface sediments collected from the shelf part of the southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal. A total of twenty-seven surface sediment samples were collected to study MPs pollution. The abundance and morphological characteristics of MPs were determined by counting using an Olympus SXZ7 stereo microscope. Raman spectroscopy analysis was used to identify the polymer type of the MPs. The average abundance of MPs in the study area is 460±275 MPs/kg in dry sediment. Regarding colour, transparent particles were predominant (46.42%), followed by blue, green, brown, etc. With respect to particle shape and size, fibres and 500-µm sized MPs are abundant. Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene (PS) are the polymer types characterised in the study area. The higher abundance of MPs in the study area can be attenuated to human interruptions, viz., tourism, fishing and inappropriate sewage disposal in the marine environment. In addition to this, population density also plays an important role in providing MPs to the marine environment. This study provides the most valuable data to extrapolate the research for mitigating MP pollution in oceans. It also informs mankind about their disastrous activities on the marine environment, which is expected to recuperate quickly and negatively impact human health and the functionality of the marine system.
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Characterization and seasonal distribution of microplastics in the nearshore sediments of the south-east coast of India, Bay of Bengal
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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
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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.
Identification and Characterization of Microplastic Pollutants from the Marine Sediments of Paradeep Coast of Bay of Bengal, India for their Sustainable Management
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Researchers characterized the abundance, size, color, and polymer types of microplastics in coastal marine sediments along the Bay of Bengal in India, contributing regional data needed to understand how microplastics accumulate on the seafloor and to develop sustainable management strategies for coastal pollution.
The Fate of Microplastics from Terrestrial to Coastal Environments Along the Western Continental Margin of India
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This study tracked the journey of microplastics from terrestrial sources through rivers to coastal waters along western India, mapping how land-based plastic pollution ultimately reaches the ocean. Understanding this transport pathway is key to identifying where interventions can most effectively reduce the flow of microplastics into marine ecosystems.
Microplastics in the Marine Ecosystem of India
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Researchers characterized the distribution, polymer composition, and ecological impacts of microplastics in India's marine ecosystems — including oceanic zones, coastal waters, and marine organisms — highlighting polymer degradation pathways and bioaccumulation in marine food webs. With India's coastline spanning over 7,500 km and supporting major fisheries, marine microplastic contamination poses direct risks to seafood safety and coastal community health.
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