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Tracing microplastic footprints in Bangladesh’s largest baors (Oxbow Lake): First insights into characterization, ecological risks, and implications for aquatic health
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Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution in Bangladesh's largest oxbow lakes, sampling water, sediment, and biota across three major lakes. The study found alarming concentrations of microplastics dominated by fibers, with ecological risk assessments indicating potential threats to aquatic health in these understudied freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastics (MPs) contamination has emerged as a pressing global environmental challenge, yet freshwater ecosystems remain critically understudied compared to marine systems. Addressing this gap, the present study provides the first comprehensive assessment of MP occurrence, characterization, and ecological risks across water, sediment, and biota in Bangladesh's Oxbow Lakes (Baors). Samples from three major lakes-Bukbhara, Marjat, and Jhanpa-revealed alarming MP concentrations: 36.0-356.0 items/L in water, 398.0-2763.0 items/kg in sediment, and 3.0-24.0 items/individual in biota. Fibers dominated the morphology, with multi-colored MPs detected in all matrices. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the primary polymers, likely originating from household waste, agricultural runoff, and fishing activities. Pollution indices (PLI >1; Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI) indicating moderate to severe levels) confirmed substantial contamination, while polymer-based risk assessments highlighted ecological threats ranging from low (Grade-I) to very high (Grade-V). Biota hazard indices further indicated species-specific risks, with O. mossambicus showing the highest MP accumulation in muscle tissues and A. grammepomus the lowest. Importantly, dietary exposure analysis revealed that children ingest MPs at rates 3.67 times higher than adults via biota consumption. This pioneering study quantifies MP pollution in Bangladesh's freshwater ecosystems and underscores its ecological and human health implications, calling for urgent mitigation strategies to safeguard aquatic biodiversity and public health.
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Unveiling microplastics pollution in a subtropical rural recreational lake: A novel insight
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Researchers conducted the first detailed assessment of microplastic pollution in a rural recreational lake in Bangladesh, analyzing both water and sediment samples. They found microplastics present throughout the lake, with fragments and fibers being the most common types, likely originating from agricultural runoff and recreational activities. The study reveals that microplastic contamination extends well beyond urban waterways into rural environments that have received little scientific attention.
Risk assessment of microplastic pollution in urban lakes and peripheral Rivers of Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and ecological risk in urban lake and river surface water and sediments across Dhaka, Bangladesh. Microplastics were detected at all 19 sites, with polymer hazard quotients indicating elevated ecological risk, particularly in heavily urbanized and industrialized locations.
Unveiling the microplastic crisis: Insights into Bangladesh's aquatic ecosystems - origins, impact, and solutions
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This review examines the growing microplastic crisis in Bangladesh's rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters, finding that the country's rapid urbanization and limited waste management have led to widespread contamination. Microplastics were documented in water, sediment, and fish across multiple Bangladeshi water systems. Since over 160 million people in Bangladesh depend on these water resources for drinking, farming, and fishing, the contamination poses a significant public health concern.
Bioaccumulation of microplastics in the edible tissues of fish collected from urban lakes of Bangladesh: a potential exposure to public health
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Researchers analyzed fish from urban lakes in Bangladesh and found microplastics present in the edible tissues of all species examined, with fibers being the most common type. The level of contamination varied by fish species and lake location, reflecting differences in local pollution levels. The findings raise public health concerns about microplastic exposure through freshwater fish consumption in densely populated urban areas.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban wetlands of Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Microplastics were found in water, sediment, and fish from three major urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with concentrations ranging from 0 to 9 items per liter in water samples. Fibers were the most common type across all matrices, pointing to textile washing and wastewater discharge as key local sources.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.