We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in Indian Brackish Water Lagoon: Occurrence and Distribution in the Chilika Lake
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in Chilika Lake, one of the world's largest brackish water lagoons in India, finding microplastics present in both water and sediment samples across the lake — raising concerns about contamination of a critical ecological and fisheries habitat that millions of people depend on.
Microplastics have become a serious concern in the contemporary world due to their widespread and hazardous nature. This study investigates microplastic distribution in one of the largest brackish water lagoons in the world (Chilika Lake, India) to bridge the knowledge gap in a transitional environment. Sediment and water samples were investigated to estimate microplastic count and were categorized based on their shape, color, size, and polymer type. The overall abundance of microplastic in sediment and water sample from Chilika Lake varied from 25.2 ± 9.8 items/kg to 7 ± 2.2 items/kg and 110.7 ± 35.6 items/100L to 26 ± 8.1 items/100L, respectively. Anthropogenic activities such as extensive fishing activities and tourism were attributed to be the major source of microplastic besides upstream loads through inflowing rivers. Fragments and foams were the most commonly occurring microplastic shapes in sediment and water samples, respectively. Sediment samples were found to be highly abundant in microplastic particle size <1 mm. Water samples were dominated by white-color foams in 2–5 mm size range of microplastics. Ten different types of microplastic polymers were identified, of which polypropylene and polystyrene were the most dominant microplastic in sediment and water samples. Microplastic morphology showed surface features that can be attributed to their weathering. The study provides baseline information on microplastics in Chilika Lake to develop an insight into the associated environmental and health risks.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence and Characteristics of Microplastics in the Surface Water and Sediment of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized the occurrence, abundance, and physical properties of microplastics in the surface water and sediments of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria, identifying key polymer types and potential local sources. This study fills an important data gap for West African urban water bodies, demonstrating that rapidly developing coastal megacities face acute microplastic contamination threatening both local fisheries and public health.
Microplastic in the Inland Water Ecosystem of India
AI summary Read the abstract
This review documented microplastic contamination in India's inland water systems — including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater — identifying land-based pollution sources and assessing concentrations relative to international benchmarks. Inland freshwater contamination is particularly concerning because these systems supply drinking water and irrigation to hundreds of millions of people, creating direct human exposure routes.
Quantification and Characterization of Microplastics in Kanke Lake, a Freshwater System of Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic particles smaller than 5mm were found contaminating Kanke Lake, a freshwater system in Jharkhand, India, signaling degradation of water quality in a region where freshwater resources are already under pressure. The study underscores how emerging plastic contaminants are reaching inland water bodies that communities depend on for daily use.
Assessing Microplastic Pollution in Indian Lake Ecosystems: A Mini Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This mini-review synthesizes findings from the 12 Indian lakes studied for microplastic contamination since the field's 2017 inception in the country, examining contamination levels, methodologies, and pollution sources across surface water, sediments, and biota. Freshwater lakes are critically understudied relative to marine environments, and the lack of standardized methods across studies makes cross-comparison difficult—limiting effective policy responses.
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.