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Characteristics and spatial distribution of microplastics in the lower Ganga River water and sediment
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Researchers sampled microplastics in water and sediment at five cities along India's Ganga River, finding concentrations of 17–36 items/kg in sediment and 380–684 items/1000 m in water, with white film-shaped polyethylene particles as the dominant type.
Although India is one of the major plastic-waste-generating countries, few studies have been conducted on microplastics (MPs) in freshwater systems that are key contributors to oceans. The current study explores MPs in sediments and water that were collected at five major cities across the Ganga River. MPs number and mass density range in sediment were found to be 17 to 36 items/kg dry weight (d.w.) and 10 to 45 mg/kg d.w. of sediments, respectively, while in the water sample, they were 380 to 684 items/1000 m and 143 to 340 mg/1000 m, respectively. Overall, white color and film-shaped MPs were the major contributors in all samples. MPs of 2.5-5 mm size contributed to a greater number and mass as compared to other fractions. Polyethylene was found to be a widely distributed plastic-type reflecting its high usability.
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Meso- and microplastics were documented throughout the sediments of the Ganga River at sites in eastern India, with concentrations varying by location and sediment type. The study highlights that India's most sacred and heavily populated river carries significant plastic pollution that settles in sediments along its lower reaches.
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Researchers quantified microplastics at 19 sites across the upper Himalayan Ganga River over six months, finding concentrations of 100–1,550 particles per liter in water and rising contamination levels downstream toward densely populated cities, with fibers, polyethylene, and post-monsoon conditions dominating the pollution profile.
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Researchers investigated microplastic prevalence and characteristics in eight major tributaries and distributaries of the Ganga River at its lower estuarine stretch, India, analysing water and sediment samples by polymer type, shape, and color. Highly urbanised and industrialised waterways including Adi Ganga and Jalangi showed the highest contamination (up to 97.66 items/L in water), with PET dominant in water and polystyrene in sediment, and annual MP flux from the Damodar River estimated at significant quantities.
Microplastics assessment in the lower stretch of the Ganga River sediment from East Indian region: Influence of land use and rainfall patterns
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This study investigated microplastic pollution in sediments along the lower Ganga River in East India, finding that land use type and seasonal rainfall patterns significantly influence the abundance and distribution of microplastics across different stretches of the river.
Insights into the seasonal variation, distribution, composition and dynamics of microplastics in the Ganga River ecosystem of Varanasi City, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Researchers measured microplastic pollution in the Ganga River in Varanasi, India, and found contamination in both water and sediment samples across all seasons. Concentrations were higher after the monsoon season, with common plastics like polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, and PVC dominating the samples. Since the Ganga is used for drinking water, bathing, and agriculture by millions of people, this contamination raises direct concerns about human exposure to microplastics.
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