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The extent of microplastic pollution along the eastern coast of India: Focussing on marine waters, beach sand, and fish
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across water, sand, and fish from seven major beaches along India's eastern coast, finding widespread pollution dominated by polyethylene and polystyrene with hazard indices indicating potential ecological risk.
In this study, for the first time, we evaluated microplastic contamination in water, beach sand, and fish samples collected from the seven most famous and crowded beaches of the eastern coast of India, which cover around 1200 km. The average number of microplastics found was 80 ± 33 microplastics/m and 4 ± 2 microplastics/kg dry weight with a numerical abundance of polyethylene and polystyrene for water and sand samples, respectively. The polymer hazard index score, which represents the severity of the microplastics scenario in the studied locations, depicts that this coastline falls under hazard levels IV and V (most hazardous) for water and sand samples, respectively. The study revealed that approximately 30 % of the commercially important fishes collected from the locations contained microplastics with polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene being the most abundant types. Rastrelliger kanagurta and Sardinella gibbosa were identified as the most polluted species.
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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.
Assessment of micro and macroplastics along the west coast of India: Abundance, distribution, polymer type and toxicity.
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This study assessed the abundance and types of micro- and macroplastics on ten beaches along India's west coast, finding plastic in all locations with fragments being the most common form. Polymer analysis revealed polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene as the dominant types, and toxicity testing indicated the plastic-contaminated sediments posed ecological risks.
Assessment of potential ecological risk of microplastics in the coastal sediments of India: A meta-analysis
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This meta-analysis assesses the ecological risk of microplastics in coastal sediments along India's coastline, finding high hazard levels in several areas. The presence of harmful plastic polymers in coastal sediments is concerning because these areas are important for fishing and seafood harvesting that feeds millions of people.
Seasonal variation, polymer hazard risk and controlling factors of microplastics in beach sediments along the southeast coast of India
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination at six beaches along India's southeast coast, comparing seasonal variation and hazard risk. They found that polyethylene and polypropylene fibers were the most common types, likely originating from fishing, textile, and urban activities. Although overall contamination levels were low, the presence of hazardous polymers like PVC and polystyrene contributed to a very high ecological risk index for marine life.
Prevalence of microplastics in the sediments of Odisha beaches, southeastern coast of India
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This first study of microplastic prevalence on beaches of the Odisha coast in southeastern India documented widespread contamination, with fiber and fragment types dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene across multiple beach sites.
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.