Macrodebris and microplastic distribution in the beaches of Rameswaram Coral Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India: A first report

A. Vidyasakar; K. Neelavannan; S. Krishnakumar; G. Prabaharan; T. Sathiyabama Alias Priyanka; N. S. Magesh; Prince S. Godson; S. Srinivasalu

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.007

Macrodebris and microplastic distribution in the beaches of Rameswaram Coral Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India: A first report

A. Vidyasakar, K. Neelavannan, S. Krishnakumar^*, G. Prabaharan, T. Sathiyabama Alias Priyanka, N. S. Magesh, Prince S. Godson, S. Srinivasalu

^*Corresponding author for this work

Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies

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

110 Scopus citations

Abstract

This is the first study on the distribution and characteristics of plastic debris found in the sediments of Rameswaram Island, Gulf of Mannar, India. Studies on the distribution of plastics and microplastic content in highly populated coral islands and their impact on the coral ecosystem are very scarce. For this purpose, marine sediment samples were collected from 20 locations along the coastal areas of the study region. The distribution and characterization study was carried out by visual examination followed by FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed abundance of white-colored and irregular-shaped plastic debris in this study area. Polypropylene was identified as a dominant polymer variety, followed by polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride. Tourist activities and fishing practices were found to be the possible sources of the microplastic debris. Additionally, the distribution of the plastics was found to be dominantly controlled by the aeolian process and the nature of the coast.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	610-616
Number of pages	7
Journal	Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume	137
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.007
State	Published - Dec 2018

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The corresponding author (Dr. S. Krishnakumar) is thankful to the National Post Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (File No PDF/2017/000030 Dated 14th November 2017) and Department of Science and Technology for their encouragement in the form of providing fellowship during the work tenure.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018

Keywords

Distribution
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
Plastic debris
Rameswaram Island

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.2018.11.007

Cite this

Vidyasakar, A., Neelavannan, K., Krishnakumar, S., Prabaharan, G., Sathiyabama Alias Priyanka, T., Magesh, N. S., Godson, P. S., & Srinivasalu, S. (2018). Macrodebris and microplastic distribution in the beaches of Rameswaram Coral Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India: A first report. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 137, 610-616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.007

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title = "Macrodebris and microplastic distribution in the beaches of Rameswaram Coral Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India: A first report",

abstract = "This is the first study on the distribution and characteristics of plastic debris found in the sediments of Rameswaram Island, Gulf of Mannar, India. Studies on the distribution of plastics and microplastic content in highly populated coral islands and their impact on the coral ecosystem are very scarce. For this purpose, marine sediment samples were collected from 20 locations along the coastal areas of the study region. The distribution and characterization study was carried out by visual examination followed by FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed abundance of white-colored and irregular-shaped plastic debris in this study area. Polypropylene was identified as a dominant polymer variety, followed by polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride. Tourist activities and fishing practices were found to be the possible sources of the microplastic debris. Additionally, the distribution of the plastics was found to be dominantly controlled by the aeolian process and the nature of the coast.",

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author = "A. Vidyasakar and K. Neelavannan and S. Krishnakumar and G. Prabaharan and {Sathiyabama Alias Priyanka}, T. and Magesh, {N. S.} and Godson, {Prince S.} and S. Srinivasalu",

note = "Funding Information: The corresponding author (Dr. S. Krishnakumar) is thankful to the National Post Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (File No PDF/2017/000030 Dated 14th November 2017) and Department of Science and Technology for their encouragement in the form of providing fellowship during the work tenure. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018",

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Vidyasakar, A, Neelavannan, K, Krishnakumar, S, Prabaharan, G, Sathiyabama Alias Priyanka, T, Magesh, NS, Godson, PS & Srinivasalu, S 2018, 'Macrodebris and microplastic distribution in the beaches of Rameswaram Coral Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India: A first report', Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 137, pp. 610-616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.007

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AU - Vidyasakar, A.

AU - Neelavannan, K.

AU - Krishnakumar, S.

AU - Prabaharan, G.

AU - Sathiyabama Alias Priyanka, T.

AU - Magesh, N. S.

AU - Godson, Prince S.

AU - Srinivasalu, S.

N1 - Funding Information: The corresponding author (Dr. S. Krishnakumar) is thankful to the National Post Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (File No PDF/2017/000030 Dated 14th November 2017) and Department of Science and Technology for their encouragement in the form of providing fellowship during the work tenure. Publisher Copyright: © 2018

PY - 2018/12

Y1 - 2018/12

N2 - This is the first study on the distribution and characteristics of plastic debris found in the sediments of Rameswaram Island, Gulf of Mannar, India. Studies on the distribution of plastics and microplastic content in highly populated coral islands and their impact on the coral ecosystem are very scarce. For this purpose, marine sediment samples were collected from 20 locations along the coastal areas of the study region. The distribution and characterization study was carried out by visual examination followed by FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed abundance of white-colored and irregular-shaped plastic debris in this study area. Polypropylene was identified as a dominant polymer variety, followed by polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride. Tourist activities and fishing practices were found to be the possible sources of the microplastic debris. Additionally, the distribution of the plastics was found to be dominantly controlled by the aeolian process and the nature of the coast.

AB - This is the first study on the distribution and characteristics of plastic debris found in the sediments of Rameswaram Island, Gulf of Mannar, India. Studies on the distribution of plastics and microplastic content in highly populated coral islands and their impact on the coral ecosystem are very scarce. For this purpose, marine sediment samples were collected from 20 locations along the coastal areas of the study region. The distribution and characterization study was carried out by visual examination followed by FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed abundance of white-colored and irregular-shaped plastic debris in this study area. Polypropylene was identified as a dominant polymer variety, followed by polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride. Tourist activities and fishing practices were found to be the possible sources of the microplastic debris. Additionally, the distribution of the plastics was found to be dominantly controlled by the aeolian process and the nature of the coast.

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Macrodebris and microplastic distribution in the beaches of Rameswaram Coral Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India: A first report

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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