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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
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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.
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Distribution and characterization of microplastic from reef associated surface sediments of Vembar group of Islands, Gulf of Mannar, India
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Researchers collected reef sediment samples from three islands in the Vembar group in the Gulf of Mannar and found microplastic contamination dominated by polypropylene (most abundant), nylon (32.3%), polyethylene (19.6%), and polystyrene (5.7%), with irregular and fiber shapes predominating and Upputhanni Island showing the highest particle count at 154 particles.
Microplastic in the coral reef environments of the Gulf of Mannar, India - Characteristics, distributions, sources and ecological risks
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Microplastic surveys in the coral reef environments of the Gulf of Mannar, India found that polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymers, with land-based sources being the main contributor and pollution load indices indicating moderate to high ecological risk.
Contamination of microplastics, surface morphology and risk assessment in beaches along the Thoothukudi coast, Gulf of Mannar region
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in beach sediments along the Thoothukudi coast in India, finding widespread presence of fragments and films with high ecological risk scores, alongside surface morphological analysis revealing weathering and chemical changes consistent with long-term environmental exposure.
Spatial distribution of microplastics around an inhabited coral island in the Maldives, Indian Ocean
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Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation across fore reef, reef flat, and beach sediment environments surrounding a small inhabited coral island in the Maldives, finding 1,244 individual microplastic pieces across 22 sampling sites. The study reveals that even remote inhabited islands in the Indian Ocean show significant microplastic contamination, with spatial distribution patterns reflecting local hydrodynamics and human activities.
Microplastics among Islands of Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
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This study investigated microplastic presence and distribution among the islands of the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve in India. Plastic fragments and fibers were found in beach sediments and water, raising concerns about bioaccumulation through the food chain in this biodiversity-rich protected area.
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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.