We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic contamination in environmental matrices of multi-basin Dal Lake, Kashmir
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across water, sediment, and fish in Dal Lake, Kashmir, and found that sediments contained far higher concentrations than water or fish tissue. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene were the most common plastic types identified, with finer sediment particles trapping more microplastics. Ecological risk assessments indicated moderate pollution levels, raising concerns about this popular freshwater ecosystem.
Microplastic (MP) pollution threatens freshwater ecosystems due to its persistence and ecological risks. This study investigates MPs across environmental matrices of water, sediment, and fish (Cyprinus carpio var. communis and C. carpio var. specularis) in multi-basin Dal Lake through fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to assess MP abundance, morphology, and polymer composition. Sediments contained substantially higher MP concentrations (385-9178 MPs/kgDW) than water (10-157 MPs/L) and fish (0-15 MPs/individual), with Gagribal basin identified as contamination hotspot. MPs were dominated by pellets and fragments in both water (74.74 % and 19.25 %) and sediment (68.05 % and 21.83 %), while fish showed different trend with pellets (46 %), fibers (34 %), and fragments (15 %) reflecting bioavailability and feeding behavior. Polymer analysis revealed water contained mainly polyethylene (PE, 54.38 %), polypropylene (PP, 24.56 %), and polystyrene (PS, 21.05 %), while sediments accumulated primarily PS (37.69 %) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 25.65 %) and fish showed preferential accumulation of PE (39.7 %) and PET (33.82 %). A strong correlation between MP retention and clay and silt was observed, indicating that finer particles trap more MPs, making deposition grain size-driven rather than depth-dependent. Ecological risk assessments using pollution load index (PLI), polymer hazard index (PHI) and potential ecological risk assessment (PERI) indicated moderate pollution loads but notable polymer-specific hazards. Fish ingestion revealed that MP ingestion patterns closely mirrored basin-wise polymer composition, with smaller particles (<100 μm) being more bioavailable, raising concerns over trophic transfer and bioaccumulation. Basin-specific differences in MP abundance and polymer composition reflect both hydrodynamic processes (inflows and flushing) and localized anthropogenic pressures from sewage treatment plants, houseboats, and tourism. These combined drivers shape the spatial variability of MPs in Dal Lake and highlight the need for targeted policy interventions to curb MP pollution, given the potential risks to aquatic life and human health through contaminated water and fish consumption.
More Papers Like This
Pollution status of microplastics in the sediments of warm monomictic Dal lake, India: Abundance, composition, and risk assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic contamination in the sediments of Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India. They found concentrations ranging from 503 to over 3,000 particles per kilogram, with the highest levels occurring in spring, and identified multiple polymer types with polyester and polyethylene being most common. The study establishes baseline pollution data for this ecologically important lake and highlights the seasonal patterns of microplastic accumulation.
Preliminary studies on the microplastic pollution in Dal lake, Kashmir (first report)
AI summary Read the abstract
This study provides the first documented detection of microplastics in Dal Lake in Kashmir, India. Researchers found microplastics at all four sampling stations in surface water, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The findings establish baseline contamination data for a culturally important and ecologically sensitive high-altitude lake.
First incidence of microplastic in commercially important food fishes and waters: A case study in the dal Lake ecosystem of North-Western Himalaya (India)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics for the first time in commercially important fish and water from Dal Lake in India's Himalayas, with water containing about 197 particles per liter and fish harboring up to 22 particles each. Polyethylene was the most common plastic type found, and the presence of microplastics in food fish indicates these particles are moving up the food chain toward human consumers.
Distribution and characterization of microplastics and ecological risks in Vellayani Lake, Kerala, India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed Vellayani Lake in Kerala, India, for microplastic contamination and found particles in both water and sediment samples across the lake. The most common types were fibers and fragments, primarily from polyethylene and polypropylene, likely originating from household waste, fishing activities, and agricultural runoff. The ecological risk assessment indicated moderate contamination levels, raising concerns for this freshwater lake that serves local communities.
Identification, characterization, and quantification of microplastics in water and sediments of high-altitude Himalayan Dal Lake
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics in both the water and bottom sediments of Dal Lake, a high-altitude lake in the Himalayas. This discovery is concerning because it shows plastic pollution has reached even remote mountain areas, and these microscopic plastic pieces can enter our food chain through fish and drinking water. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination is more widespread than previously thought, potentially affecting water sources that communities depend on for drinking and fishing.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.