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Source Apportionment of Marine Microplastics: First Step Towards Managing Microplastic Pollution
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Monthly beach sediment sampling in India identified the sources of microplastics deposited on the coast, finding higher plastic loads during monsoon seasons. Identifying specific pollution sources is essential for targeting interventions to reduce microplastic input to marine environments.
Abstract Monthly sampling from August 2018 to December 2019 was carried out in the beach sediments of Calicut to understand the monthly accumulation and deposition pattern of microplastics (MP). The average abundance in terms of items per kg dry sediment during monsoon months was higher than that of non‐monsoon months. The sources and pathways of the sampled microplastics were identified using an existing forensic framework. The pathways of pellets and fibers were seen as drainage outlet and harbor, respectively. Exactly identified sources include polycarbonate urethane (PCU) fragments from foam, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE)+PP films from paints of boats, and PE and PE+PP from fishing nets. The MP concentration in recreational areas was consistently higher except during flood periods.
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Indian coastal sediment survey finding MP peaks near river mouths during monsoon - 80748 — Spacecraft deployable structure microdynamics (not microplastics-related) - 34291 — AFM study of early-stage polymer wear at nanoscale (MP generation mechanism) - 60453 — New all-glass flotation method for extracting MPs from sediment, 92% recovery - 60446 — Low-cost sediment trap captures ~25% of MPs in flowing water - 60445 — Rural Kansas rivers contain MPs even upstream of urban areas - 60408 — Seabirds transport marine MP fibers to remote atoll soils via guano - 60404 — MPs found in mountain snowpack dust, possibly reducing snowmelt albedo - 60397 — Urban land cover correlates with MP levels in karst groundwater springs - 60376 — Asian clams may biologically indicate seasonal MP variation in freshwater - 60369 — MPs detected inside Mammoth Cave; surface rivers the primary entry vector - 60359 — First evidence of MPs in hailstones, showing atmospheric circulation of plastics - 60284 — Turbulent flow vertical mixing study for MP transport modeling - 60231 — Tire wear optimization method; tire particles are top MP source - 60206 — Rhizobiome microbes may help mitigate plastic pollution in soil - 59687 — Review of microbial plastic degradation capabilities and challenges - 59678 — Review of MP hazards and interactions in soil environments - 59675 — MPs found across cryosphere; ice melt may release stored plastics - 59671 — Review of microbial approaches to degrading macroplastic ocean waste - 59603 — Review of MP detection methods in water samples - 59591 — Particle size and density govern MP vertical mixing in water columns - 59538 — Review calling for standardized MP sampling and analysis protocols - 59513 — Review of micro/nanoplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems - 59468 — Review of MPs in water and removal performance of wastewater treatment plants - 59467 — Review of MP generation, spread, and management strategies - 59464 — Transformer neural network for automated, explainable MP detection in images - 59436 — Review of MP ecotoxicology across aquatic food webs - 59429 — Polymer type analysis of coastal MPs and the "missing plastics" question - 59420 — Pollution baseline assessment for North Evoikos Gulf, Aegean Sea - 59308 — Review of MP research gaps and data needs in South Asia
Coastal Lagoon's dual role as a sink and source for microplastics: A case study from India
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Researchers studied a coastal lagoon's simultaneous role as a sink accumulating microplastics and a source releasing them back to the ocean, measuring particle concentrations, types, and seasonal fluxes. The findings show that lagoons can act as important temporary reservoirs that later export microplastics during storm events.
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