Papers

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Article Tier 2

Potential Ecological Risk Assessment Studies Based on Source and Distribution of Microplastics from the Surface Sediments of Tropical Backwaters, Kerala, India

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in surface sediments of three tropical estuaries along the southwest coast of Kerala, India, finding 407 total particles and conducting ecological risk assessment to evaluate hazard levels from microplastic accumulation.

2023 Total Environment Research Themes 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Status of Microplastic Accumulation in Water and Sediments of Selected Estuarine Ecosystem of Southern Kerala, India

Researchers measured microplastic levels in water and sediment from estuaries in southern Kerala, India, finding significant contamination in both habitats. The study identifies these coastal estuaries as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution, posing risks to local aquatic life and fishing communities.

2023 UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in Kerala's coastal ecosystems: a review of sources, distribution, and ecological implications

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.

2025 Discover Geoscience 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics' occurrence, distribution, and chemical toxicity in backwater sediments from Puducherry Coast, Southeast India

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in sediment cores from three sites along India's Puducherry coast, finding over 100 microplastic particles per square centimeter near the surface — with fibers and fragments made of PE, PP, and PET being most common — and high pollution risk scores at all sites.

2025 Kuwait Journal of Science 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial heterogeneity of microplastic pollution and associated emerging contaminants in tropical estuarine environments: Novel insights into distribution, bioavailability, and ecological risk

Scientists found tiny plastic particles in water, mud, and seafood like shellfish and crabs in two river areas in India. These microplastics carry harmful chemicals and are getting into the food chain, which could affect the safety of seafood that people eat. While the current risk appears low, this research shows we need better policies to reduce plastic pollution to protect both ocean ecosystems and human food sources.

2026 Marine Pollution Bulletin
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution and its implicated risks in the estuarine environment of Tamil Nadu, India

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution across 19 estuaries in Tamil Nadu, India, measuring contamination in water, sediment, and marine organisms. They found microplastic levels were higher during monsoon season due to stormwater discharge, and estimated that local residents may ingest approximately 781 microplastic items through fish and 2,809 through shellfish annually. The study suggests that estuarine microplastic pollution poses meaningful human exposure risks through seafood consumption.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic profile and ecological risk assessment of emerging estuarine contaminants in two tourist hotspots of northern Kerala backwaters

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in sediments and water of two tourist-heavy estuarine systems in northern Kerala, India. They found average concentrations of 187 to 259 particles per kilogram in sediments and 251 to 284 particles per liter in water, with polyamide as the dominant polymer type, indicating high ecological risk driven by tourism, fishing, and poor waste management.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Plastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal distribution, source apportionment and risk exposure of microplastic contaminants along the Muttukadu backwater estuary, Tamil Nadu, India

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in a Tamil Nadu estuary in India across wet and dry seasons, finding that microplastic levels were higher during the wet season and that fragments and fibers from single-use plastics, fishing gear, and boats were the dominant sources. Ecological risk assessment classified the estuary as facing medium to high risk, highlighting the urgent need for waste reduction policies and regular monitoring of coastal waterways in India.

2024 Results in Engineering 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent Investigation of Characterizing, quantifying, and Contamination of Microplastic in the surface water of Adyar River Estuary, Tamil Nadu, India

Researchers examined microplastic identity, characterisation, spatial distribution, and abundance in surface water samples from the Adyar River Estuary in Tamil Nadu, India, finding polyethylene at 52 percent, polypropylene at 32 percent, and polystyrene at 16 percent across 12 sampling sites totalling 82 microplastic items.

2024
Article Tier 2

The extent of microplastic pollution along the eastern coast of India: Focussing on marine waters, beach sand, and fish

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across water, sand, and fish from seven major beaches along India's eastern coast, finding widespread pollution dominated by polyethylene and polystyrene with hazard indices indicating potential ecological risk.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 50 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial, seasonal and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in sediment and surface water along the Thoothukudi, south Tamil Nadu, south east India

Researchers assessed the spatial and seasonal variation of microplastics in sediment and surface water along the Thoothukudi coast in southeastern India. The study found significant differences in microplastic abundance across sampling sites and seasons, with monsoon periods recording the highest concentrations, and conducted an ecological risk assessment of the contamination levels.

2022 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 48 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Microplastic Pollution Across the Malabar Coast, India

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.

2024 Environmental Quality Management 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Ecological footprint of microplastics in coastal and estuarine environments of India: Sediment-water interface analysis

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.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence of microplastics in estuarine environment: a case study from Kavvayi and Kumbla backwaters of Malabar Coast, Kerala, India

Researchers investigated the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in sediments and organisms from two backwater estuaries along the Malabar Coast in Kerala, India. The study detected microplastics in all samples analyzed, confirming widespread contamination across these estuarine environments, with particles identified down to 1 micrometer in size using optical microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal and spatial variations in the distribution pattern, sources and impacts of microplastics along different coastal zones of Tamil Nadu, India

Surveys of four coastal zones in Tamil Nadu, India found microplastics in both sediments and water at all sites, with the highest concentrations during the monsoon season when river runoff carries more plastic waste into the ocean. The researchers identified 16–23 different polymer types per season and found that weathered particles were carrying hazardous heavy metals on their surfaces. The study provides one of the most detailed spatiotemporal profiles of coastal microplastic contamination in India, underscoring the need for urgent pollution control measures in heavily populated coastal regions.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative study on the status of microplastics in different functional areas of Tuticorin, Southeast coast of India

Researchers compared microplastic abundance, composition, and associated heavy metal contamination across different functional zones (industrial, fishing, tourism) of Tuticorin coastal waters in India, finding that spatial and seasonal factors significantly affect microplastic distribution and risk.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination and characterization of microplastics in different sediments of the river estuaries (the inner Gulf of Thailand)

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in river estuary sediments in the inner Gulf of Thailand, finding widespread contamination at all sites. The study characterizes the types and abundance of microplastics in a highly trafficked coastal region of Southeast Asia.

2019
Article Tier 2

Quantification, characterization and risk assessment of microplastics from five major estuaries along the northern Bay of Bengal coast

Researchers measured microplastic pollution in five major estuaries along the Bay of Bengal coast in Bangladesh and found contamination at every site, with polyethylene being the most common plastic type. The rivers were classified at the most severe hazard level for microplastic contamination based on the types of polymers found. Since these estuaries supply water and fish to millions of people, the contamination raises concerns about human exposure through drinking water and seafood.

2023 Environmental Pollution 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation, polymer hazard risk and controlling factors of microplastics in beach sediments along the southeast coast of India

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination at six beaches along India's southeast coast, comparing seasonal variation and hazard risk. They found that polyethylene and polypropylene fibers were the most common types, likely originating from fishing, textile, and urban activities. Although overall contamination levels were low, the presence of hazardous polymers like PVC and polystyrene contributed to a very high ecological risk index for marine life.

2022 Environmental Pollution 100 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and risk assessment of microplastics accumulated in sediments and benthic molluscs in the mangrove wetlands along the south-west coast of India

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in mangrove sediments and four species of benthic molluscs from Vembanad Lake, a major estuary on India's southwest coast. Average sediment contamination levels were relatively high compared to other mangrove regions in India, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymers, and ecological risk indices indicated severe microplastic pollution risk for the molluscs studied.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Contaminants and their ecological risk assessment in beach sediments and water along the Maharashtra coast of India: A comprehensive approach using microplastics, heavy metal(loid)s, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and plasticisers

Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of multiple contaminant types along India's Maharashtra coast, including microplastics, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and plasticizers in both water and sediment. They found widespread contamination with microplastics present at all 17 sampling stations, alongside concerning levels of other pollutants. The study highlights how coastal communities face exposure to a cocktail of emerging contaminants, with microplastics potentially acting as carriers for other harmful substances.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 41 citations
Article Tier 2

The estuarine plastics menace: Insights into prevalence, characterization and polymeric risk assessment of microplastics in the Mahi River Estuary, Gujarat, India

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination along 30 sites of the Mahi River Estuary in Gujarat, India, characterizing particle abundance, morphology, polymer type, and ecological risk. Microplastics were found at all sites with concentrations and polymer risk indices reflecting the estuary's proximity to urban and industrial sources.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in surface water from a mighty subtropical estuary: First observations on occurrence, characterization, and contamination assessment

Researchers documented the first observations of microplastic contamination in surface waters of the Meghna estuary in Bangladesh, finding widespread pollution that poses risks to this ecologically and economically critical subtropical ecosystem.

2023 Environmental Research 47 citations
Article Tier 2

The Prevalence of Microplastics in Water and Sediment Collected from Vellar Estuary in South India

Microplastic contamination was assessed in water and sediment samples from Vellar Estuary in Tamil Nadu, South India, finding widespread MP presence with fibres and fragments most common. The study identified this coastal estuary as significantly impacted by microplastic pollution from adjacent urban and industrial activities.

2024 UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY