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Occurrence, quantification and characterisation of microplastics in Godavari River, India
Summary
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the Godavari River in India, finding an average of 3.9 particles per liter across six sites, with fibers making up over 80% of particles and polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymer types. Urban areas had higher concentrations, and the presence of these plastics in a major river system poses risks to agriculture and human health through contaminated water and food sources.
One of the difficult and well-known pollutants that has a negative impact on human health is Microplastics (MPs). This study's primary goal is to present the state of our understanding of the evidence, quantification, origin, and effects of MPs in the Godavari River. According to the quantitative analysis of our investigation (digestion, separation, filtration, and characterization), the mean MP concentration in the river was found to be 3.9 items/L (3900 Items/m3). MPs were found at all six sites, with concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 2.2 items/L (6500–2200 items/m3). The most prevalent MP shape was fiber (81.5 %), followed by foam (13.2%), fragments (4.4%), and film (0.7%). The MP colors observed in the river were blue (26%), Transparent (25%), pink (17%), yellow (9%), black (8%), white (6%), green (3%), red (2%), and violet (0.7%). From the chemical characterization by ATR-FTIR, the polymers detected were polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) ABS, (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) EVA, (polystyrene) PS, and nylon. Urban areas have higher MP concentrations than less populated areas. Through direct or indirect consumption, the MPs in the Godavari River may present a risk to agriculture, and living beings. The current study adds to the understanding of MP pollution in the Godavari River and provides baseline data that can be used to assess precise mitigation.