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Unraveling the land-based discharge of microplastics from sewers to oceans – A comprehensive study and risk assessment in wastewaters of Goa, India
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Researchers conducted a comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution entering the ocean from land-based sources in Goa, India, including sewers, creeks, and drainage outlets. They found significant levels of microplastics in wastewater across all pathways studied, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The study highlights the urgent need for improved wastewater treatment to reduce microplastic discharge into coastal marine environments.
Owing to their pervasive dispersion in the environment and their potential ramifications on both marine life and human health, microplastics (MPs) are of increasing concern. However, there is still a lack of research on the release of MPs from different land-based pathways like creeks, drainage outfalls, and conduits into coastal water systems in India. This study represents comprehensive research into the attribution of MPs in the estuarine system, specifically those emanating from wastewater sources in Panjim City, Goa, India. Urban wastewater collected from different locations in and around Panjim City exhibited values ranging from 79 ± 21 to 338 ± 7 MPs/L, with a prevalence of fibrous and black MP particles. The size range of the MPs at all sampling sites was 100-300 μm. Analysis by μ-FTIR revealed 35 distinct polymeric compositions in wastewater, with a dominance of polyacrylamide (PAM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyamide (PA). Additionally, primary and secondary MPs were studied to unravel the contributions from land-based sources. This included the quantification of MPs in ten samples from personal care products (PCPs) and twenty samples from washing machine effluents (WMEs). MPs in PCPs ranged from 1.8 to 1554 MPs/g. Microfibres and fragments were predominant in WMEs (3986 to 4898 MPs/L). This study suggests a strong relation between polymers found in wastewater effluent and those present in PCPs and WMEs. The identified polymers showed high polymer hazard indices (IV and V), posing a significant threat to the ecosystem and a potential risk to human health.
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Microplastics in seafood as an emerging threat to marine environment: A case study in Goa, west coast of India
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and shellfish from the Sal estuary in Goa, India. They found microplastics present across all environmental samples, with sediment containing particularly high concentrations. The study highlights that commercially important seafood species in this region are accumulating microplastics, posing potential concerns for both marine ecosystems and human dietary exposure.
Point-source tracking of microplastics in sewerage systems. Finding the culprit
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Researchers traced microplastic pollution back to specific sources within sewerage systems by sampling wastewater from hospitals, food processing facilities, and domestic drains. They found that each source had a distinct microplastic fingerprint in terms of polymer type, size, and concentration. The study demonstrates that targeted source tracking within sewer networks could help identify and reduce the largest contributors of microplastic pollution before it reaches treatment plants.
An Investigation on Microplastics at Wastewater Confluence Points in the Southern Coastal Regions of Tamil Nadu, India
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A survey of 16 wastewater samples at mixing points near Tamil Nadu's southern coast found microplastic concentrations between 20 and 51 particles per liter, with polyethylene being the dominant polymer type at 45%. Fibers were the most common shape, pointing to domestic textile waste as a key source alongside industrial discharge. The study highlights wastewater effluent as a major pathway delivering microplastics into coastal marine ecosystems.
Assessment of Microplastic Pollution Across the Malabar Coast, India
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and commercially important fish along the Malabar coast in India. They found microplastics in all sample types, with the highest concentrations in fish gastrointestinal and gill tissues, predominantly consisting of fragments and fibers of common plastics like HDPE, PET, and nylon. The study points to direct discharges, runoff, and poor wastewater management as key sources, underscoring the need for regulatory measures to protect both marine ecosystems and the people who consume seafood from the region.
Contaminants and their ecological risk assessment in beach sediments and water along the Maharashtra coast of India: A comprehensive approach using microplastics, heavy metal(loid)s, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and plasticisers
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Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of multiple contaminant types along India's Maharashtra coast, including microplastics, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and plasticizers in both water and sediment. They found widespread contamination with microplastics present at all 17 sampling stations, alongside concerning levels of other pollutants. The study highlights how coastal communities face exposure to a cocktail of emerging contaminants, with microplastics potentially acting as carriers for other harmful substances.
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