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Seasonal and spatial variations in the distribution pattern, sources and impacts of microplastics along different coastal zones of Tamil Nadu, India
Summary
Surveys of four coastal zones in Tamil Nadu, India found microplastics in both sediments and water at all sites, with the highest concentrations during the monsoon season when river runoff carries more plastic waste into the ocean. The researchers identified 16–23 different polymer types per season and found that weathered particles were carrying hazardous heavy metals on their surfaces. The study provides one of the most detailed spatiotemporal profiles of coastal microplastic contamination in India, underscoring the need for urgent pollution control measures in heavily populated coastal regions.
We investigated spatiotemporal variations of microplastics (MPs) in Coromandel Coast, Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar, and West Coast of Tamil Nadu, India. MPs abundance varies from 37 ± 1.52 to 189 ± 9.02 items/kg in sediment and 23 ± 15.25 to 155.25 ± 4.16 items/L in water. Highest abundance in monsoon by riverine inflow transports plastic waste to the ocean. MPs sizes 0.5-1 mm are dominant in summer with 16 polymers, while 3-4 mm dominates the monsoon with 23 polymers. Carbonyl Index shows high MP oxidation (>0.31), unrelated to spatiotemporal changes. SEM-EDAX shows weathered MPs carrying hazardous metals. High MP diversity (MPDII = 0.77) of Coromandel Coast points to many sources of pollution and the need for immediate control measures. Pollution load values indicate low degree of MP pollution (<10), polymer hazard index shows level III (10-100) and IV (100-1000), and ecological risk assessment shows minor risks (<150) at present.