Characterization and distribution of microplastics and plastic debris along Silver Beach, Southern India

A. Vidyasakar; S. Krishnakumar; K. Kasilingam; K. Neelavannan; V. Arun Bharathi; Prince S. Godson; K. Prabha; N. S. Magesh

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111421

Characterization and distribution of microplastics and plastic debris along Silver Beach, Southern India

A. Vidyasakar, S. Krishnakumar, K. Kasilingam, K. Neelavannan, V. Arun Bharathi, Prince S. Godson, K. Prabha, N. S. Magesh^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microplastics are causing serious environmental threats worldwide. To evaluate the current state of microplastics pollution, 28 sediment samples were examined for microplastics and plastic debris contamination along Silver Beach, Southern India. Visual identification followed by FT-IR spectroscopy was used to estimate the overall distribution and characterization of plastic debris. The results reveal that white-colored (44%) and irregularly-shaped (82%) plastics are prevalent in the study area. Moreover, the dominant polymer in the study area is polyvinyl chloride (79%) followed by polyethylene (14%) and nylon (7%). Based on size fractions, mesoplastics are widely distributed in the beach sediments (65%), followed by microplastics (18%) and macroplastics (17%). The regional sources of plastic debris are tourism and fishing activities followed by storm water runoff through the Gadilam river and wave-induced deposition through high tides. Strict policy measures need to be implemented in recreational beaches like Silver beach to reduce plastic pollution.

Original language	English
Article number	111421
Journal	Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume	158
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111421
State	Published - Sep 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The first author is thankful to the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) for funding under student project scheme ES-047(2017-18).

Funding Information:
The first author is thankful to the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) for funding under student project scheme ES-047(2017-18) .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

FTIR
India
Microplastics
Plastic debris
Silver beach

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oceanography
Aquatic Science
Pollution

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111421

Cite this

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title = "Characterization and distribution of microplastics and plastic debris along Silver Beach, Southern India",

abstract = "Microplastics are causing serious environmental threats worldwide. To evaluate the current state of microplastics pollution, 28 sediment samples were examined for microplastics and plastic debris contamination along Silver Beach, Southern India. Visual identification followed by FT-IR spectroscopy was used to estimate the overall distribution and characterization of plastic debris. The results reveal that white-colored (44\%) and irregularly-shaped (82\%) plastics are prevalent in the study area. Moreover, the dominant polymer in the study area is polyvinyl chloride (79\%) followed by polyethylene (14\%) and nylon (7\%). Based on size fractions, mesoplastics are widely distributed in the beach sediments (65\%), followed by microplastics (18\%) and macroplastics (17\%). The regional sources of plastic debris are tourism and fishing activities followed by storm water runoff through the Gadilam river and wave-induced deposition through high tides. Strict policy measures need to be implemented in recreational beaches like Silver beach to reduce plastic pollution.",

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note = "Funding Information: The first author is thankful to the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) for funding under student project scheme ES-047(2017-18). Funding Information: The first author is thankful to the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) for funding under student project scheme ES-047(2017-18) . Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Elsevier Ltd",

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doi = "10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111421",

language = "English",

volume = "158",

journal = "Marine Pollution Bulletin",

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AU - Vidyasakar, A.

AU - Krishnakumar, S.

AU - Kasilingam, K.

AU - Neelavannan, K.

AU - Bharathi, V. Arun

AU - Godson, Prince S.

AU - Prabha, K.

AU - Magesh, N. S.

N1 - Funding Information: The first author is thankful to the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) for funding under student project scheme ES-047(2017-18). Funding Information: The first author is thankful to the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) for funding under student project scheme ES-047(2017-18) . Publisher Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2020/9

Y1 - 2020/9

N2 - Microplastics are causing serious environmental threats worldwide. To evaluate the current state of microplastics pollution, 28 sediment samples were examined for microplastics and plastic debris contamination along Silver Beach, Southern India. Visual identification followed by FT-IR spectroscopy was used to estimate the overall distribution and characterization of plastic debris. The results reveal that white-colored (44%) and irregularly-shaped (82%) plastics are prevalent in the study area. Moreover, the dominant polymer in the study area is polyvinyl chloride (79%) followed by polyethylene (14%) and nylon (7%). Based on size fractions, mesoplastics are widely distributed in the beach sediments (65%), followed by microplastics (18%) and macroplastics (17%). The regional sources of plastic debris are tourism and fishing activities followed by storm water runoff through the Gadilam river and wave-induced deposition through high tides. Strict policy measures need to be implemented in recreational beaches like Silver beach to reduce plastic pollution.

AB - Microplastics are causing serious environmental threats worldwide. To evaluate the current state of microplastics pollution, 28 sediment samples were examined for microplastics and plastic debris contamination along Silver Beach, Southern India. Visual identification followed by FT-IR spectroscopy was used to estimate the overall distribution and characterization of plastic debris. The results reveal that white-colored (44%) and irregularly-shaped (82%) plastics are prevalent in the study area. Moreover, the dominant polymer in the study area is polyvinyl chloride (79%) followed by polyethylene (14%) and nylon (7%). Based on size fractions, mesoplastics are widely distributed in the beach sediments (65%), followed by microplastics (18%) and macroplastics (17%). The regional sources of plastic debris are tourism and fishing activities followed by storm water runoff through the Gadilam river and wave-induced deposition through high tides. Strict policy measures need to be implemented in recreational beaches like Silver beach to reduce plastic pollution.

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KW - India

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KW - Plastic debris

KW - Silver beach

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85087518718

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DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111421

M3 - Article

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AN - SCOPUS:85087518718

SN - 0025-326X

VL - 158

JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin

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M1 - 111421

ER -

Characterization and distribution of microplastics and plastic debris along Silver Beach, Southern India

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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