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Microplastics pollution studies in India: a recent review of sources, abundances and research perspectives - a comparison with global research
Summary
This review summarizes published research on microplastic pollution in India, identifying sources and distribution across aquatic environments while noting that India remains one of the least-studied countries despite being a major plastic-producing and plastic-polluting nation. The paper compares Indian findings to global research and calls for expanded monitoring.
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous, persistent pollutants reported in abundance in all environments and biota. The main objective of this review is to identify the sources, distribution, and concentration of microplastics in all aquatic environments and biota in India. It is one of the least studied, with only 45 papers published on microplastics during 2013–2020 in the web of science. To define the concentration of microplastics in different aquatic environments such as 3096 items/kg in marine sediments, 106 items/kg in biota, 59 items/L in seawater, 175 items/kg in sea salt, 33.9 items/L in lake water, 336 items/kg in lake sediments, 288 pieces/m3 in river water, and 328 items/kg in river sediments. Hence we investigated MPs pollution in coastal and freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and biota. However, knowing that many aquatic habitats and species were unexplored, we recommend extending investigations in all of the following areas. To reduce plastic consumption and its eventual threat to aquatic ecosystems, researchers should assess studies in each of these ways. Enforcing severe regulations, enhancing legal activities, well-planned comprehensive waste management plans, and spontaneous public engagement are also required to prevent land-based plastic pollution.