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Macrodebris and microplastic distribution in the beaches of Rameswaram Coral Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India: A first report
Summary
Researchers conducted the first survey of plastic debris in sediments from Rameswaram coral island in India's Gulf of Mannar, finding white irregular-shaped fragments dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene, with tourism and fishing identified as primary sources and wind-driven aeolian transport controlling spatial distribution.
This is the first study on the distribution and characteristics of plastic debris found in the sediments of Rameswaram Island, Gulf of Mannar, India. Studies on the distribution of plastics and microplastic content in highly populated coral islands and their impact on the coral ecosystem are very scarce. For this purpose, marine sediment samples were collected from 20 locations along the coastal areas of the study region. The distribution and characterization study was carried out by visual examination followed by FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed abundance of white-colored and irregular-shaped plastic debris in this study area. Polypropylene was identified as a dominant polymer variety, followed by polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride. Tourist activities and fishing practices were found to be the possible sources of the microplastic debris. Additionally, the distribution of the plastics was found to be dominantly controlled by the aeolian process and the nature of the coast.