Papers

61,005 results
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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

Microplastics pollution in tropical estuary (Muttukadu Backwater), Southeast Coast of India: Occurrence, distribution characteristics, potential sources and ecological risk assessment

Scientists surveyed microplastic contamination in the water and sediments of a tropical estuary on India's southeast coast. They found moderate to high levels of microplastic pollution, with common polymers like polyethylene and polystyrene contributing the most to ecological risk. The presence of trace metals on microplastic surfaces suggests these particles may also serve as carriers for heavy metal contamination in coastal ecosystems.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 4 citations
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

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

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 variation, spatial distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in surface waters of Periyar River, Kerala, India

Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution in the Periyar River in Kerala, India, examining seasonal variation and spatial distribution from upstream to downstream reaches. They found that microplastic concentrations were highest during the monsoon season and increased toward downstream urban areas, with fibers being the dominant particle type. The risk assessment indicated moderate ecological concern, highlighting the need for waste management interventions along the river.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 15 citations
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

Seasonal distribution of microplastics in the surface water and sediments of the Vellar estuary, Parangipettai, southeast coast of India

Seasonal surveys of Vellar estuary on southeast India's coast found microplastics in both surface water (1.15 to 5.14 items/m3) and sediments (24.8 to 43.4 particles/kg dry weight), with fibers dominating and concentrations varying between seasons.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 70 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and seasonal variation of microplastics and possible sources in the estuarine system from central west coast of India

Researchers collected samples from an estuarine system on India's west coast across two seasons, finding significant spatial and seasonal variation in microplastic abundance — with monsoon season delivering higher loads — and identifying local fishing activities and urban runoff as primary sources.

2021 Environmental Pollution 135 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation of microplastics in tropical mangrove waters of South-western India

Researchers measured seasonal variations in microplastic contamination within tropical mangrove waters in South-Western India. They found that post-monsoon concentrations were highest at 1.42 microplastics per liter, while monsoon season had the lowest levels at 0.19 per liter. Fibers were the most common particle type, with polymers including polypropylene, PET, and polyethylene identified, likely originating from local tourism, aquaculture, and marine industries.

2023 Regional Studies in Marine Science 30 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

Insights into the seasonal distribution of microplastics and their associated biofilms in the water column of two tropical estuaries

Researchers tracked microplastic levels and the bacterial communities growing on them in a tropical estuary in southwest India across wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations were about seven times higher during the wet season due to increased runoff, and the biofilms on these plastics included potentially harmful bacteria. The study shows that seasonal weather patterns influence how much microplastic contamination reaches coastal waters where local communities fish and collect seafood.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Risk assessments of microplastics accumulated in estuarine sediments at Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, southeast coast of India

This study measured microplastic abundance and composition in sediments from two estuaries in Cuddalore, India, finding 36-52 particles per kg dry weight with fibers dominant, and conducted ecological risk assessments highlighting potential hazards to estuarine organisms.

2023 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 17 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
Article Tier 2

Seasonal microplastic variations in estuarine sediments from urban canal on the west coast of Thailand: A case study in Phuket province

Researchers investigated seasonal variations in microplastic contamination in estuarine sediments from an urban canal in Phuket, Thailand. They found microplastic abundance was higher in the dry season than the rainy season, with rayon and polyester being the most common polymer types, suggesting that seasonal hydrological patterns and human activities both influence microplastic distribution in urban estuaries.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 70 citations
Article Tier 2

Ecological assessment of microplastic contamination in surface water and commercially important edible fishes off Kadalundi estuary, Southwest coast of India

Researchers documented microplastic contamination in both the surface water and 12 commercially important fish species from the Kadalundi estuary in India. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, with contamination levels varying across fish species. The findings are significant because this estuary is Kerala's first community reserve, and the contaminated fish are widely consumed by local populations.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 8 citations
Article Tier 2

First Evidence of Microplastics Burden in Surface Waters of Budhabalanga Estuary, Chandipur, Eastern India: Potential Threat to Aquatic Ecosystem

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Budhabalanga Estuary in eastern India. They found microplastics at all sampling locations, with fibers being the dominant type, likely originating from fishing activities and domestic waste. The study provides baseline data on microplastic contamination in this previously unstudied estuary and flags potential threats to the local aquatic ecosystem.

2025 Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in inland aquatic ecosystems of India with a global perspective on sources, composition, and spatial distribution

Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in India's rivers, lakes, and wetlands, finding widespread pollution across water, sediment, and wildlife, with concentrations peaking during monsoon season due to runoff. The review highlights a critical gap: most studies don't account for how water flow and seasonal variation affect where microplastics go, making it hard to gauge the true health risk to people and ecosystems.

2024 Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies 18 citations
Article Tier 2

A baseline study of microplastic pollution in a Southern Indian Estuary

This baseline study characterized microplastic distribution across surface, middle, and bottom water layers of the Udyavara River Estuary in southwest India, finding that concentrations varied by depth and season. The vertical distribution data improve understanding of how estuarine hydrodynamics influence microplastic accumulation and exposure risks to benthic organisms.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variations in microplastics in a coastal wetland in southwest India as well as their risks to Sillago sihama and Gerres filamentosus

Researchers conducted seasonal sampling of microplastics in a mangrove ecosystem in southwest India and examined contamination in two fish species. They found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by season and water depth, with fibers being the most common type. The study also assessed potential health risks to both the fish and humans who consume them, highlighting how coastal wetland pollution can move through the food chain.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 4 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

Microplastic contamination in water and sediments of Mahanadi River, India: An assessment of ecological risk along rural-urban area

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in the water and sediments of the Mahanadi River estuary in India during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. The study found microplastics across all sampling sites, with fibers as the most common shape and polyester as the dominant polymer type, and risk indices indicating very high pollution hazard levels. Evidence indicates that urban runoff and domestic waste are major contributors to microplastic pollution in this coastal river system.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 54 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

Characterization and distribution of microplastics in estuarine surface sediments, Kayamkulam estuary, southwest coast of India

Microplastic characterization in surface sediments of the Kayamkulam estuary in southwestern India found fibers and fragments dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene, establishing a pollution baseline for this ecologically important wetland.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 89 citations