We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spatio-temporal distribution and ecological risks of microplastics in surface water and sediments of Bangshi River
AI summary Read the abstract
A seasonal survey of the Bangshi River in Bangladesh found microplastics at all 10 sampling sites, with concentrations spiking during monsoon season as runoff flushed plastics from urban and industrial areas into the river. Ecological risk assessments classified both the water and sediments in the most extreme hazard category, signalling urgent risks to the river's aquatic life and the communities that depend on it.
This study investigates the spatio-temporal distribution, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics (MPs) in the surface water and sediments of the Bangshi River, which is exposed to intense urban and industrial pressures. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from 10 sites during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. MPs were isolated through chemical digestion and density separation, morphologically characterised by stereomicroscopy, and polymer types identified using FTIR spectroscopy. MP concentrations ranged from 0.07–0.19 MPs/L in water and 120–360 MPs/kg in sediments. Fibres were dominant (≈50% in water, up to 87% in sediments), with black, blue, and transparent particles common in water, and red and black more prevalent in sediments. Smaller MPs (100–1500 µm) were most abundant. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) dominated in water, while polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prevailed in sediments. PHI classified both matrices in hazard category V (extreme danger), and PERI revealed severe risks, especially in sediments (PERI = 7219.30), despite a low PLI. MP levels were higher near urban/industrial areas, with sediments showing significant monsoon increases. Overall, results highlight urgent ecological threats and provide baseline data for targeted MP pollution management in Bangladesh.
More Papers Like This
Spatio-temporal Distribution and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Water and Sediment of the Downstream Ganges River, Bangladesh.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested water and sediment from nine sites along the downstream Ganges River in Bangladesh across two years, finding microplastics in all samples, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene. Risk calculations showed very high ecological risk in water and danger-level risk in sediment.
Assessment of microplastics in the Mahananda, Barnoi, and Baral rivers of Bangladesh and their ecological risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested water and sediment from three rivers in Bangladesh and found widespread microplastic contamination, mostly small blue and red particles under 1 mm. The Barnoi River had the highest levels, and risk measurements showed sediments posed especially severe ecological danger to aquatic life across all three rivers.
Microplastic pollution in the water and sediment of the Karnaphuli River, Bangladesh: An ecological risk assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics along the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Microplastic concentrations were higher in sediment than surface water and elevated in downstream locations, with fibers and fragments of PET, polyethylene, and polystyrene being the most common types, and the ecological risk assessment rated the pollution as Category I, indicating a significant pollution load.
Potential Ecological Risk and Characterization of Floating Microplastics in the Surface Water of a Highly Urbanized Large River in Southeast Asia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized floating microplastics in the Jamuna River in Bangladesh, finding significant contamination likely originating from industrial, domestic, and hospital waste, and assessed the ecological risks posed by the identified polymer types to aquatic organisms.
The seasonal variation and ecological risk of microplastics in the Lower Ganges River, Bangladesh
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and polymer composition in the lower Ganges River, finding that monsoon flows dramatically increase microplastic loads and that dry season concentrations reflect local urban pollution.
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.