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The abundance and characteristics of microplastics in surface water in the transboundary Ganges River
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Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic abundance along a 2,575-kilometer stretch of the Ganges River across pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The study found that fibers comprised 91% of microplastics, with higher concentrations before the monsoon, and estimates that the combined Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system could release 1 to 3 billion microplastic particles into the Bay of Bengal every day.
Microplastics (plastic < 5 mm in size) are now known to contaminate riverine systems but understanding about how their concentrations vary spatially and temporally is limited. This information is critical to help identify key sources and pathways of microplastic and develop management interventions. This study provides the first investigation of microplastic abundance, characteristics and temporal variation along the Ganges river; one of the most important catchments of South Asia. From 10 sites along a 2575 km stretch of the river, 20 water samples (3600 L in total) were filtered (60 samples each from pre- and post-monsoon season). Overall, 140 microplastic particles were identified, with higher concentrations found in the pre-monsoon (71.6%) than in post-monsoon (61.6%) samples. The majority of microplastics were fibres (91%) and the remaining were fragments (9%). We estimate that the Ganges, with the combined flows of the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers (GBM), could release up to 1-3 billion (10) microplastics into the Bay of Bengal (north-eastern portion of the Indian Ocean) every day. This research provides the first step in understanding microplastic contamination in the Ganges and its contribution to the oceanic microplastic load.
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Sediment and surface water microplastic contamination along the Ganges River, from the Himalayan foothills to the tidal reach downstream of Kolkata, India.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination along the full length of the Ganges River from the Himalayan foothills to the tidal reach downstream of Kolkata, India, finding particles throughout the catchment at varying concentrations. The study is one of the first comprehensive surveys of microplastics along this major river system, which is estimated to be one of the world's largest ocean plastic sources.
Microplastic in upper Himalayan Ganga river: Occurrence, seasonal dynamics and ecological risk
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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.
The seasonal variation and ecological risk of microplastics in the Lower Ganges River, Bangladesh
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Researchers characterized seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and polymer composition in the lower Ganges River, finding that monsoon flows dramatically increase microplastic loads and that dry season concentrations reflect local urban pollution.
Urbanization and population resources affect microplastic concentration in surface water of the River Ganga
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Researchers found that microplastic concentrations in River Ganga surface water were significantly higher near urbanized and densely populated areas, with fibers and fragments being the dominant types, indicating that urbanization and population density are key drivers of riverine microplastic pollution.
Spatio-temporal dynamics and flux of microplastics in the lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system and estuary
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Researchers examined the spatial and seasonal dynamics of microplastics across the lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system and estuary, one of the world's largest river systems and a major contributor to global ocean plastic inputs. The study quantified microplastic flux and found significant spatio-temporal variation driven by river discharge, monsoon seasonality, and anthropogenic land use across the catchment.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.