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Holistic assessment of microplastics in various coastal environmental matrices, southwest coast of India
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A comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution along the southwest coast of India analyzed multiple environmental matrices including water, sediments, and biota, finding plastic contamination throughout coastal systems. The holistic approach revealed how microplastics move through coastal food webs and identified fishing and tourism activities as key local sources.
Plastics in the marine environment are introduced through multiple pathways, and pose serious threats to aquatic biota. Recently microplastic pollution and its possible consequences in India have been recognized by the scientific community, however the extent of the crisis has not yet been quantified. The present study attempted to ascertain the abundance, distribution and characteristics of microplastics in coastal waters (14 locations), beach sediments (22 locations) and marine fishes (11 locations) from the state of Kerala, southwest coast of India. The results showed that the mean microplastic abundance was 1.25 ± 0.88 particles/m in coastal waters and 40.7 ± 33.2 particles/m in beach sediments with higher concentrations in the southern coast of the state. The abundance of microplastics, mostly contributed by fragments, fibre/line and foam, in both coastal waters and beach sediments, were highly influenced by river runoff and proximity to urban agglomeration. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR) revealed that polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the dominant polymers in the marine environment. The digestive tracts of 15 out of 70 commercially important fishes studied, contained 22 microplastic particles. Polyethylene (PE; 38.46%) followed by cellulose (CE; 23.08%), rayon (RY; 15.38%), polyester (PL; 15.38%) and polypropylene (PP; 7.69%) were the major contributors in the fish ingested microplastic composition. A broad range of heavy metals, metalloids and other elements that are potentially indicative of hazardous chemicals were present in microplastics collected from the beaches of Kerala. These results enhance our understanding on the sources, transport pathways and the associated environmental risks of microplastics to marine ecosystems.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and commercially important fish along the Malabar coast in India. They found microplastics in all sample types, with the highest concentrations in fish gastrointestinal and gill tissues, predominantly consisting of fragments and fibers of common plastics like HDPE, PET, and nylon. The study points to direct discharges, runoff, and poor wastewater management as key sources, underscoring the need for regulatory measures to protect both marine ecosystems and the people who consume seafood from the region.
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across water, sediment, and marine fish in the coastal waters off Mumbai, India. They found an average of 372 particles per liter in water and 9,630 particles per kilogram in sediment, with pelagic fish species containing up to 9 microplastic items per individual. The study identified eleven different polymer types and emphasizes that microplastic transfer through the food chain underscores the need for processing interventions to reduce contamination in fish destined for human consumption.
Ecological footprint of microplastics in coastal and estuarine environments of India: Sediment-water interface analysis
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This study mapped microplastic pollution across 16 coastal and estuarine sites along India's coastline, finding contamination everywhere with concentrations varying based on local human activities like port operations, tourism, and fishing. The microplastics were mostly small fibers and fragments under 500 micrometers, and certain plastic types were especially good at absorbing heavy metals. This means microplastics in coastal waters serve as carriers that can transport toxic metals into the seafood chain and ultimately into human diets.
Microplastic contamination in Kerala's coastal ecosystems: a review of sources, distribution, and ecological implications
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Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in Kerala's coastal waters and sediments, finding concentrations as high as 200 particles per liter in some areas, with pollution disrupting mangrove and coral reef ecosystems, entering the food chain through seafood, and posing inflammation and endocrine disruption risks to humans.
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Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination across India's coastal ecosystems, synthesizing data on abundance, polymer types, and distribution patterns in sediments, seawater, and marine organisms along some of the world's most densely populated and industrially active coastlines. India's rapidly expanding plastic economy and limited coastal waste management create hotspots of microplastic exposure for both marine wildlife and human communities dependent on coastal fisheries.
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