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Environmental Sources
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Did the COVID-19 pandemic play a role in the spatial and temporal variations of microplastics? Evidence from a tropical river in southern India
Marine Pollution Bulletin2023
12 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 40
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
K. Amrutha,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
K. Amrutha,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
K. Amrutha,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
K. Amrutha,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
K. Amrutha,
Anish Kumar Warrier
K. Amrutha,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Nelson Rangel-Buitrago,
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Anish Kumar Warrier
Summary
Monitoring of the Netravathi River in southern India before and after COVID-19 lockdowns found that microplastic concentrations were highest during monsoon seasons and actually declined during the lockdown period, likely due to reduced rainfall and restricted human activity. After the lockdown ended, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — associated with PPE and food packaging — rose sharply to 74% of all polymers detected in post-monsoon samples. The study shows how pandemic-related changes in plastic use and movement can rapidly shift the composition and quantity of microplastics in rivers.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) use has increased because of COVID-19, producing more microplastics (MPs). The pandemic's impact on MP pollution in Indian rivers is little understood. In this study, the Netravathi River in Karnataka was investigated for the spatiotemporal distribution of MPs. The MPs abundance, size, and categories varied seasonally, with a higher concentration during the monsoon seasons. The reduction in rainfall during MON20 and the COVID-19 lockdown can be the reasons for the significant decrease in the MP concentration when compared to MON19. Polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate were the most abundant polymers, with a shift from polyethylene to the latter (74 %) during post-monsoon season post-lockdown. The situation of MP pollution in Western Ghats can be mitigated with the aid of appropriate waste management of plastic trash and greater public awareness about the disposal of single-use plastics, which has risen significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.