We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characterization of plastic debris from surface waters of the eastern Arabian Sea–Indian Ocean
Summary
Researchers characterized floating plastic debris from surface waters of the eastern Arabian Sea, finding that the microplastic size fraction (0.5-5 mm) was most prevalent at over 50% of total debris, with ATR-FTIR analysis identifying polyethylene and polypropylene as dominant polymer types. The findings document widespread plastic contamination in a poorly studied region of the Indian Ocean.
The quantity of floating plastic debris (FPD) is continuously being increased in the oceans. To assess their size, structure, and composition along the eastern Arabian Sea (EAS), FPD samples were collected by using a surface plankton net. The microplastic size fraction (0.5-5 mm) was the most prevalent accounting for >50% of the total, followed by mesoplastics (5-25 mm; ~40%) and macroplastics (>25 mm; ~10%). The collected FPDs were categorized into five different types and eight colours. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (ATR-FTIR) analysis of the plastics revealed that polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon were the most dominant polymers, and these comprised mostly of fibre/fishing line. The abundance of FPD in the EAS (0.013 ± 0.012 no.s/m) was found to be very low compared to elsewhere. The prevalent microplastics presence in the oceans might have occurred mainly by the degradation of larger items. It increases bioavailability, and hence, is a risk to marine ecosystems.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Seasonal distribution and abundance of microplastics in the coastal sediments of north eastern Arabian Sea
Researchers documented seasonal variation in microplastic abundance along India's North Eastern Arabian Sea coast, finding 4,400 to 15,300 items per kilogram of dry sediment with fibers as the dominant form across ten identified polymer types.
Identification and physico-chemical characterization of microplastics in marine aerosols over the northeast Arabian Sea
Researchers collected and analyzed airborne microplastics over the northeast Arabian Sea during two sampling campaigns and found microplastics present in marine aerosols at all locations. Fibers were the most common form, primarily made of polyethylene and polypropylene, likely originating from land-based sources transported by wind. The study provides important baseline data on atmospheric microplastic pollution over open ocean regions that had not been previously measured.
Plastics in surface water of southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka (Northern Indian Ocean): Distribution and characterization by FTIR
Researchers investigated plastic pollution in coastal surface waters across 12 regions in southern Sri Lanka, finding an overall mean microplastic density of 17.45 items per cubic metre with filaments as the most common morphology. FTIR characterisation confirmed the polymer types present, with blue-coloured particles being the most abundant across sampling locations.
Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar
Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic occurrence in Qatar's Exclusive Economic Zone, identifying 30 polymer types at an average concentration of 0.71 particles per m3 using ATR-FTIR, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene most common and highest concentrations near oil rigs and shipping operations.
Occurrence and abundance of macro, meso and microplastics along the coasts of the Persian Gulf (case study: Bushehr Province coast)
This survey of 17 coastal stations in Iran's Bushehr Province on the Persian Gulf documented widespread plastic pollution at macro, meso, and microplastic scales, with fibers making up the majority and fragments under 500 micrometers being most common. Polyethylene, polystyrene, PET, and nylon were the dominant polymer types identified by infrared analysis. The Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed, heavily industrialized sea, and this data establishes baseline contamination levels needed to track how pollution changes over time.