Back to papers
0
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. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Floating microplastics in northern coastal waters of sri lanka: Quantification and characterization by FTIR

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) 2022
Shobiya Gobiraj, Sivashanthini Kuganathan, Grøsvik Bjørn Einar, A.A.D. Amarathunga

Summary

Floating microplastics were detected in northern Sri Lanka's coastal waters for the first time, with FTIR spectroscopy identifying polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types. The study fills an important data gap for South Asian coastal waters and highlights inputs from local fishing, tourism, and domestic waste. Establishing baseline contamination data is a critical first step toward effective plastic pollution management in the region.

Study Type Environmental

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing issue in Sri Lanka. However, few findings have been reported in the Northern coastal belt of Sri Lanka. This study provides the first evidence of the prevalence and abundance of MPs in the Northern Sri Lankan coastal waters of Mathagal, Point Pedro and Charty Beach in Jaffna. Floating MPs were collected using a plankton net with a mesh size of 153 µm horizontally at the surface once a month from August 2020 to January 2022. The MPs were characterized based on their physical morphology; size, shape and colour by stereo microscope and chemical composition by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MPs (1-5 mm) were found in each site studied. The MP abundance was significantly varied both spatially and temporally (p Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426747/document

Read via DOI Download PDF

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email