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Monthly variation and transport of microplastics from the Soan River into the Indus River
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The first year-long monthly study of the Soan River (Pakistan) found microplastics present in high concentrations throughout the year — peaking in August at over 641 items/m² during the monsoon — with PET fibers as the dominant form. Seasonal flow dynamics and riverbed morphology shaped the distribution patterns, and the urban character of the catchment drove contamination. As a tributary of the Indus, the Soan represents an important pathway for microplastics reaching one of Asia's major river systems and ultimately the ocean.
The presence of plastic and microplastic pollution in freshwater systems receives extensive concerns for its accumulative trend and potential ecological impacts. This is the first annual study that investigated the monthly profile of plastic pollution in the mouth of the Soan River. Plastic pollutants comprising microplastic content up to 91.7 % were abundantly found during different seasons around the year, ranging from 132.7 items/m to 641.3 items/m. The average abundance of plastics was significantly higher in August (641.3 ± 23.7 items/m) than in other months. Overall, fibers, large microplastics (L-MPs), and transparent items were dominant by shape (57.7 %), size (61.9 %), and color (24.6 %), respectively. The highest average number of fibers (374.3/m) and L-MPs (396 items/m) were recorded during May and remained higher in the surface water from December to May. Fragments (432.3/m) and S-MPs were observed higher (362.3 items/m) during the peak rainy month of the summer monsoon season (August). Variations in the abundance and morphotypes were seemingly not only influenced by the seasonal change but also might be due to hydromorphological characteristics of the river, especially riverbed morphology, and the flow of the water. Only 5.2 % of the total items found were identified using μ-FTIR (micro-Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscope) which consisted of 70.7 % plastic items. Spectroscopy revealed that polyethylene terephthalate was an abundantly found polymer that largely prevailed in the form of fibers, followed by polypropylene and polyethylene. Most of the fragments, foams, and films were composed of polypropylene, polystyrene, and rayon respectively. Being an urban river, the polymeric profile demonstrated that anthropogenic activities had a significant impact on polluting the river. These findings are a very important source to understand the profile of plastic pollution in the Soan River and also a significant reference for policy-making in controlling plastic pollution among the riverine networks.
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Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Sediments and Water of River Soan, Punjab, Pakistan
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Sampling at seven sites along Pakistan's River Soan found hundreds of microplastic particles per quarter-square-meter of water surface, with even higher concentrations in river sediments, and seasonal variation showing more particles in summer than winter. FTIR analysis identified a range of polymer types, pointing to diverse pollution sources in this South Asian river and raising concerns about drinking water and ecosystem health.
Microplastic pollution in Indus Water System of Pakistan
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This study documents microplastic pollution across multiple compartments of the Indus River system in Pakistan, one of Asia's major waterways. Microplastics were found in water, sediment, and biological samples throughout the basin. This appears to be a conference abstract or short communication rather than a full research article.
Spatio-temporal characteristics of microplastics in river surface water: insights from multi-year field monitoring.
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Researchers sampled river water across two years and four seasons to study tiny plastic particles. Microplastic counts were higher in dry seasons than rainy seasons, mainly because higher water flow diluted them, and city pollution sources created persistent hotspots. Flux (the total amount moving through the river) and discharge showed a linear relationship.
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Monitoring of urban rivers showed that microplastic concentrations fluctuate significantly with varying hydrological conditions such as storm events and seasonal flow changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurately characterizing the river microplastic load and its variability over time.
Monsoon-driven spatio-temporal dynamics of microplastics in Brahmaputra riverbank sediments: Quantification using spectroscopic, pollution index and multivariate analysis
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Scientists studying India's Brahmaputra River found that tiny plastic bits called microplastics—mostly from clothing fibers, packaging, and household waste—build up more heavily near cities and spike dramatically when monsoon rains wash debris into the water. These plastics eventually make their way into fish and drinking water sources, so understanding when and where they accumulate most helps communities and regulators target cleanup efforts and reduce human exposure to this pollution.
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