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Exploring the presence and distribution of microplastics in subterranean estuaries from southwest India
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Researchers explored microplastic distribution in subterranean estuaries of southwest India, finding microplastics in pore water, groundwater, and seawater with fibers as the dominant shape, revealing a previously understudied pathway for plastic contamination.
Rivers, surface runoff, and the wind all transport microplastics (MPs) to the ocean. There is a knowledge gap concerning the distribution of microplastics in transitional subterranean estuaries. Here, we report the presence of microplastics in the pore water, groundwater, and sea water from four locations in southwest India. Pore water, groundwater, and seawater had mean MP abundances (± standard deviations) of 0.75 (±0.66), 0.15 (±0.1), and 0.11 (±0.07) MPs/l, respectively. Fibres were the dominant category of MPs found. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of polymers like polyester, low-density polyethylene, and polystyrene. Possible sources of microplastic are fishing activities, tourism, and coastal residents. The microplastics-derived risk assessment scores indicate severe risk to the ecosystems. Fibrous microplastics in pore water indicate that these linear particles can migrate vertically through sandy sediments, reaching subterranean estuaries. We believe submarine groundwater discharge can act as a possible pathway for microplastics to enter the oceans.
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Subterranean estuaries: An overlooked pathway for microplastic transport to our oceans
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Researchers quantified microplastic concentrations in the subterranean estuary of Malpe, India, and calculated the flux entering the Arabian Sea through submarine groundwater discharge, finding a mean concentration of 7.56 MPs/L and demonstrating that subterranean estuaries represent a significant but overlooked microplastic transport pathway.
Microplastic flux through submarine groundwater discharge in a subterranean estuary of Southwest India
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Researchers investigated submarine groundwater discharge as a transport pathway for microplastics in a subterranean estuary on the southwest coast of India, finding that this understudied coastal process contributes measurably to marine MP inputs alongside rivers and surface runoff.
Microplastic flux through submarine groundwater discharge in a subterranean estuary of Southwest India
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Researchers investigated submarine groundwater discharge as a transport pathway for microplastics in a subterranean estuary on the southwest coast of India, finding that this understudied coastal process contributes measurably to marine MP inputs alongside rivers and surface runoff.
Subterranean estuaries: An overlooked pathway for microplastic transport to our oceans
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the subterranean estuary of Malpe in southwestern India and quantified the flux of microplastics entering the Arabian Sea via submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), finding a mean concentration of 7.56 MPs/L and identifying SGD as a previously overlooked but significant transport pathway to marine environments.
Microplastic flux through submarine groundwater discharge in a subterranean estuary of Southwest India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified microplastic flux through submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in a subterranean estuary on the southwest coast of India, identifying this previously overlooked pathway as a conduit for microplastic transport to the marine environment. The study found that SGD delivers substantial quantities of microplastics to coastal waters, with fluxes influenced by tidal dynamics and the mixing of terrestrial groundwater with saline porewater.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.