Papers

61,005 results
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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, 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

Ecological risk assessment and characterization of microplastics in the beach sediments of southeast coast of India

Surveys along India's southeast coast found hundreds of microplastic particles per kilogram of beach sediment, with fibers being the most common shape and polystyrene among the dominant polymer types. Ecological risk indices suggest the pollution is at low-to-medium levels currently, but the study underscores the need for targeted waste reduction strategies to protect coastal biodiversity in one of the world's most densely populated shorelines.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution, morphological characteristics, and risk assessment of microplastics in the beach sediments of Odisha Coast, India

A large survey of 34 beach sites along the Odisha coast of India found an average of 948 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment, with fibers making up nearly 99% of particles, and ecological risk indices rating the coast as 'extremely dangerous.' This is one of the first spatially extensive assessments of microplastic pollution on India's eastern coastline, establishing a critical baseline for a densely populated and ecologically important region. The high polymer hazard scores—driven by PET, PP, and PE—point to urgent need for pollution reduction and policy intervention.

2026 Frontiers in Water
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

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 distribution patterns in Kappil Beach sediments, Kerala

Beach sediment samples from Kappil, Kerala in India revealed 766 microplastic particles dominated by nylon fibers (78%), along with polyethylene and polystyrene, with the majority smaller than 1 mm. Risk assessments classified contamination as moderate to high, suggesting active fragmentation of larger plastic debris is ongoing. This baseline data is valuable for tracking pollution trends in Indian coastal ecosystems where fishing and tourism create significant plastic inputs.

2026 Discover Geoscience
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Assessment of potential ecological risk of microplastics in the coastal sediments of India: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis assesses the ecological risk of microplastics in coastal sediments along India's coastline, finding high hazard levels in several areas. The presence of harmful plastic polymers in coastal sediments is concerning because these areas are important for fishing and seafood harvesting that feeds millions of people.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 474 citations
Article Tier 2

Human health risk perspective study on characterization, quantification and spatial distribution of microplastics in surface water, groundwater and coastal sediments of thickly populated Chennai coast of South India

Researchers characterized microplastics in surface water, groundwater, and coastal sediments along Chennai's densely populated coast in South India, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant shape and identifying urban proximity as a key factor in microplastic abundance.

2022 Human and Ecological Risk Assessment An International Journal 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characterization of microplastics in beach sand from three different Indian coastal environments

Beach sands from three locations on the Indian coast were analyzed for microplastics, finding concentrations of 45–220 particles/kg dry sand with polyethylene (43%) as the dominant polymer, followed by PET and polystyrene. The study establishes baseline contamination data for Indian beaches and demonstrates consistent polymer profiles across geographically distinct coastal environments.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 432 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

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

Microplastics, their abundance, and distribution in water and sediments in North Chennai, India: An assessment of pollution risk and human health impacts

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in water and sediment samples from North Chennai, India, finding contamination at all sampling sites. Landfills, densely populated areas, and tourist spots had the highest concentrations, with pollution risk levels ranging from low to extremely high. The presence of microplastics in lake water used for drinking purposes is a concern for human health in the region.

2024 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro-plastic pollution along the Bay of Bengal coastal stretch of Tamil Nadu, South India

Researchers quantified microplastic particles in water column, wet sediment, and dry sand samples from Marina Beach, Chennai, India — one of the world longest urban beaches — using optical microscopy. Fibrous microplastics were dominant across all matrices (52-79%), with concentrations indicating significant pollution along this heavily urbanised coastline.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of microplastics in the beach sediments of Marina tourist beach, Chennai, India

Researchers conducted the first baseline study of microplastic pollution in beach sediments at Marina and Pattinapakkam beaches in Chennai, India. They identified an average of 459 and 297 microplastic particles at the two sites respectively, with polyethylene being the dominant polymer type. The study suggests that both human activities and natural coastal processes contribute to microplastic accumulation at these popular tourist beaches.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 47 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 Contamination Analysis For Chennai Coastal Region

A survey of microplastic contamination at 25 sites along the Tamil Nadu (Chennai) coastline of India found widespread contamination from multiple sources. The findings document the scale of microplastic pollution in a major coastal region and highlight the need for local management interventions.

2023 Applied Environmental Biotechnology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, characteristics and surface degradation features of microplastics in beach sediments of five coastal areas in Tamil Nadu, India

Microplastic abundance and surface weathering features were characterized in beach sediments from five coastal areas in Tamil Nadu, India, with concentrations reaching up to 439 particles per kg and polyethylene and polypropylene dominating.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 270 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution of microplastics in sediment columns along the coastline of China

Sediment column samples collected from 11 provinces along China's coastline revealed that microplastic pollution decreases with depth and is more diverse in vertical profiles than in surface sediments, with fibers dominating. Estuarine and coastal areas showed higher contamination than mangrove reserves.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Estimation of microplastics in sediments at the southernmost coast of India (Kanyakumari)

This study estimated microplastic abundance in beach sediments at Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, finding higher concentrations at harbors and tourist areas compared to residential fishing communities. The results indicate that both recreational activity and harbor operations are significant sources of microplastic accumulation on Indian beaches.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of microplastic contamination in the sediments of Noyyal River- Southern India

Researchers documented microplastic contamination across 15 sites in the urban Noyyal River in southern India, finding concentrations up to 6,500 particles per cubic meter in dried sediments, with fragments and fibers in a variety of colors the most common forms.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 34 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

Macro-, meso- and microplastic debris in the beaches of Tuticorin district, Southeast coast of India

Researchers surveyed eight sandy beaches along the Tuticorin district coast in southeast India for macro-, meso-, and microplastic debris. The study found microplastic concentrations ranging from 25 to 83 items per square meter, with contamination levels varying by site depending on the intensity of fishing and other human activities, confirming widespread plastic pollution along India's southeastern coastline.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 232 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in the sediments of Odisha beaches, southeastern coast of India

This first study of microplastic prevalence on beaches of the Odisha coast in southeastern India documented widespread contamination, with fiber and fragment types dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene across multiple beach sites.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 73 citations