We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics pollution studies in India: a recent review of sources, abundances and research perspectives
Summary
This review summarizes microplastic pollution studies conducted across India, covering sources, distribution, and concentrations in aquatic environments and aquatic organisms. The study highlights the growing scale of microplastic contamination in Indian water bodies and the need for standardized national monitoring programs.
Abstract Purpose: Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous, persistent pollutants that are reported in abundance in all environments and biota. This review highlights the identification, distribution and concentration of microplastics in all aquatic environments and biota in the India region which is one of the least studied with only forty-four papers published on microplastics during 2013-2020 in the web of science. Results: The present review focuses on 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. Conclusion: Consequently, we studied the distribution and occurrence of pollution from MPs in coastal and freshwater environments such as rivers, lakes and biota. Therefore, we propose extending studies in all the above areas of microplastics knowing that there are many unique aquatic habitats and species that are yet unexplored. For future research, we suggest new methods for sampling MPs in all marine ecosystems and biota. Assessing research in each of these ways will allow suggesting a microplastic threshold level and devising control initiatives to minimize plastic consumption and its eventual hazard to the aquatic ecosystem. Moreover enforcing strict laws, enhancing legal initiatives, well-planned comprehensive waste management policies and spontaneous public engagement are essential to create awareness of marine plastic pollution and reduce the adverse effects of land-based plastics.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics pollution studies in India: a recent review of sources, abundances and research perspectives - a comparison with global research
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.
Microplastics – an emerging threat in the Indian waterbodies
This review examines the current state of microplastic research in Indian aquatic ecosystems, documenting widespread contamination in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters alongside growing evidence of impacts on aquatic biota. The authors call for standardized national monitoring frameworks to better characterize and address India's emerging microplastic pollution crisis.
Microplastics as contaminants in Indian environment: a review
This review surveys the current state of microplastic contamination across India, covering freshwater, marine, soil, and atmospheric environments. Researchers found that microplastics are widespread throughout the country, with particularly high concentrations near urban centers and coastal areas. The study calls for standardized monitoring methods and comprehensive policies to address India's growing microplastic pollution challenge.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems in India: A Comprehensive Review
This review examines the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics across freshwater ecosystems in India, synthesizing current literature on contamination levels in rivers, lakes, and other inland water bodies.
Microplastics pollution: An emerging threat to freshwater aquatic ecosystem of India
This review examined microplastic pollution as an emerging threat to freshwater aquatic ecosystems in India, discussing sources, distribution, ecotoxicological effects on aquatic biota, and potential human health hazards. The authors highlighted that while marine microplastic research is extensive, freshwater ecosystems in India remain critically understudied relative to the scale of contamination.