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Plastics in surface water of southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka (Northern Indian Ocean): Distribution and characterization by FTIR
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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.
This study focused on investigating the occurrence, quantification, and the spatial and temporal distribution of plastics in coastal surface water from 12 coastal regions in southern part of Sri Lanka. The overall average densities of macroplastics and mesoplastics were recorded as 0.23 and 0.33 items/m, respectively. Sampling locations had no significant difference (p > 0.05) on total microplastics (MPs) density (overall mean MPs density: 17.45 ± 3.35 items/m). MPs debris of less than 1 mm size consisted of >45% of the total number of MPs, whereas the maximum size of microscopically observed plastic debris was 11.04 mm, a filament. Filaments were the most common MPs followed by films. Relatively, blue-colored MPs were highly abundant in this coastal line. The type of MPs was further confirmed by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) method. Potential plastic pollution factors are hydrodynamics and man-made activities like unsustainable harbor operations, fisheries, and tourism. More attention is needed to reduce plastic pollution regionally.
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Floating microplastics were detected in northern Sri Lanka's coastal waters for the first time, with FTIR spectroscopy identifying polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types. The study fills an important data gap for South Asian coastal waters and highlights inputs from local fishing, tourism, and domestic waste. Establishing baseline contamination data is a critical first step toward effective plastic pollution management in the region.
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Quantification and morphological characterization of plastic litter (0.30–100 mm) in surface waters of off Colombo, west coast of Sri Lanka
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Surface water off Colombo, Sri Lanka, contained an average of 140 plastic items per square meter, with 99.6% classified as small microplastics under 1 mm in size. Filament-shaped plastics dominated and concentrations were highest near the most populated coastal districts, reflecting urban plastic pollution inputs.
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