Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Policy & Risk Sign in to save

A first report on the spatial and temporal variability of microplastics in coastal soils of an urban town in south-western India: Pre- and post-COVID scenario

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2023 20 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

G.H. Aravind, Anish Kumar Warrier Mohan Reethu, Mohan Reethu, Anish Kumar Warrier R. Biswajit, Anish Kumar Warrier R. Biswajit, G.H. Aravind, G.H. Aravind, 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 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 G.H. Aravind, A.K. Rafaz, K. Sandeep, K. Sandeep, G.H. Aravind, Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier A.K. Rafaz, K. Sandeep, Anish Kumar Warrier A.V. Sijinkumar, K. Sandeep, Anish Kumar Warrier A.V. Sijinkumar, Anish Kumar Warrier A.V. Sijinkumar, 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 Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier Anish Kumar Warrier

Summary

Temporal monitoring of coastal soil microplastic abundance in an urban area of southwest India between 2019 and 2021 found concentrations nearly doubled from 515 to 960 particles per kg, with the increase attributed in part to enhanced surgical mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polymers

LDPE PE PP

We present a first study on the temporal changes (2019-2021) in the microplastic abundance in the coastal soils of an urban town in the south-western part of India. All sampling stations exhibited higher abundances of microplastics in soils collected during 2021 (959.7 ± 277.7 particles/kg) compared to those collected in 2019 (515.1 ± 182.7 particles/kg). Morphologically, flakes, fibres, and films are the most abundant types documented in the soil environment. The microplastics of 0.3-5 mm size are relatively more abundant (60.6 %) compared to those of 0.03-0.3 mm size (39.4 %) in 2021. The three main types of polymers (polypropylene and high- and low-density polyethylene) in the soil exhibited an increase in abundance during an interval of 15 months (October 2019 to March 2021). In addition to packaging materials, the enhanced use of surgical masks during the COVID-19 period might have acted as a source of microplastic contamination in the soils.

Read via DOI PubMed

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email