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Hidden problems in geological heritage sites: The microplastic issue on Saint Mary's Island, India, Southeast Arabian Sea
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Researchers found microplastics in beach sediments of Saint Mary's Island, a geological heritage site in India's Arabian Sea, documenting their occurrence and distribution for the first time and highlighting how microplastic pollution threatens even protected geological sites.
Microplastics (MPs) have become a dominant constituent of several oceanic islands. This study focuses on the occurrence and distribution of MPs present in the beach sediments of Saint Mary's Island (SMI), a geological heritage site located in the south-eastern part of the Arabian Sea. The average (standard deviation) abundance of MPs on this island was 97.18 (80.49) particles/kg. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that MPs are composed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyamide (PA). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) highlighted the presence of Cr, As, Pb, and Cd (harmful pollutants) on MP surfaces. The MPs in the SMI are largely contributed by the nearby fishing harbour, touristic beaches and estuaries. The results of this study, act as a starting point for continuous environmental monitoring in this unique region of the world.
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Researchers surveyed microplastic occurrence in surface water and sediments around Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal, finding widespread contamination with spatial distribution patterns linked to tourism and fishing activities, and conducted ecological risk assessment.
Occurrence, spatial distribution, and risk assessment of microplastics in surface water and sediments of Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal
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Researchers surveyed microplastic occurrence, spatial distribution, and pollution risk in surface water and beach sediments of Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal, finding 3,166 particles/kg in beach sediments and elevated polymer risk indices indicating significant coastline pollution despite a low overall risk category.
Microplastic Occurrence in Sediments and Associated Ecological Risk: A Study of Saurashtra Coastline, Gujarat, India
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in sediments along the Saurashtra coastline in Gujarat, India, documenting MP occurrence and assessing associated ecological risks, including toxicity and bioaccumulation in living organisms including humans.
Spatial distribution of microplastics around an inhabited coral island in the Maldives, Indian Ocean
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Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation across fore reef, reef flat, and beach sediment environments surrounding a small inhabited coral island in the Maldives, finding 1,244 individual microplastic pieces across 22 sampling sites. The study reveals that even remote inhabited islands in the Indian Ocean show significant microplastic contamination, with spatial distribution patterns reflecting local hydrodynamics and human activities.
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Microplastic contamination in the waters around the Lakshadweep Islands (a remote Indian Ocean archipelago) was documented for the first time. The detection of microplastics in this relatively pristine and ecologically sensitive location underscores the reach of plastic pollution across the global ocean.
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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.