Drivers of microplastic pollution in soil sediments at fish landing centers in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), South Andaman Island

Microplastic pollution poses a growing global threat to marine ecosystems, and soil sediments at fish landing centres are an often-overlooked reservoir of microplastics. Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), located in South Andaman Island, is critical for fisheries and marine biodiversity, making it an important area for studying microplastic pollution. This study aims to identify the key drivers of microplastic pollution in soil sediments at fish landing centers. The specific objectives included assessing microplastic abundance, characterizing polymer types, and identifying potential pollution sources, such as fishing gear, plastic packaging, and urban runoff. Sediment samples were collected from six fish landing centres such as Junglighat, Dignabad, Chatham, Guptapara, Wandoor and Chidiyatapu. The study revealed significant spatial variation in microplastic concentrations, with higher contamination in the northern region. Notably, the northern region (centers) had a significantly higher mean abundance of 251.4 ± 110.3 particles/kg compared to the southern region's (centers) 105.0 ± 57.1 particles/kg. The Mann-Whitney U Test (U = 283.0, p-value = 0.00014) substantiated this significant difference. Dominant polymer types included aramid fiber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, and polyisoprene, indicating industrial and consumer waste sources. Potential sources were linked to urban runoff, fishing activities, and inadequate waste management. This study contributes to understanding microplastic pollution drivers in tropical coastal environments. The findings highlight the impact of anthropogenic activities and land use patterns on microplastic pollution in fish landing centres. This information is crucial for developing targeted mitigation strategies in similar coastal regions.