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Plastic pollution has been a widespread issue across the world ever since its invention in the early 1900s to its flourishment during the Industrial Revolution. The viciousness of plastics further elevates with the emergence of microplastics with smaller size and larger surface area than larger plastic debris. Smaller plastic particles of micro- and nano-size range are ubiquitous in all environmental compartments and have the potential to penetrate the biological system resulting in bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Evaluation of the presence of microplastics in the water and soil of an area is necessary for the implementation of precautionary and remedial measures. The present study attempts to evaluate the extent of microplastic pollution along the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. Surface sediment samples were collected from 25 locations across the coastal line of Thiruvananthapuram. Microplastics were quantified and categorized based on their colour, shape, size, and composition. Visual identification and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy were used for the estimation. The result revealed that the majority of plastic particles present were fibres accounting for around 80.80%. The maximum distribution of particles was reported from the sampling location at Thazhampalli-Chirayinkeezhu and Bheemapally. Around 78.05% of particles were coloured while the remaining were either white or colourless. Nylon fibres and polypropylene fragments were the dominant polymer types obtained. The results point to the role of fishing activities as the major source of microplastic input along the coastal beach sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its potential impact on food safety and human health, commercial species that have been contaminated with microplastics (MPs) are drawing more attention on a global scale. This study investigated the possibility of MPs contamination in different marine fish species with substantial commercial value that was captured off the south coast of India, from Adyar and Ennore regions. Over the course of six months, from October 2019 to March 2020, 220 fish were examined. It was discovered that the gills and guts had accumulated more numbers of MPs (1115 MPs) of which 68% were fibres and fragments. The commercial fish samples contained an average of 3.2–7.6 MPs per fish. Greater MPs pollution is seen in the Ennore regions. The prevalence of MPs was observed in carnivorous and planktivorous fish collected from both the sites. Fish guts contained the most MPs, according to the data. Pelagic fish accounted for the least amount of MPs, followed by mid- and demersal fish. Four different types of polymers were also identified in the present study: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide. These results clearly showed the degree of microplastic contamination in fish tissues from the south Indian coastal regions of Adyar and Ennore. These results we hope will create a baseline data for MPs contamination in commercial fish species. The presence of MPs in the fish could have detrimental effects both on the environment and human health and thus comprehensive steps are required to prevent plastic pollution of the environment in south India's coastal region. [Display omitted] • Commercial fish species from southeast coast of India contained microplastics. • Total of 220 fish belonging to 17 species contained 1115 microplastics. • Polyethylene microplastics was the most abundant type found. • Fibre microplastics more in gills and transparent fragment microplastics in gut. • Unique study provides baseline data for microplastics contamination in commercial fish in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas are one of the most significant ecosystems, sustaining rich bioresources. Coastal seawaters are subjected to human interferences that lead to pollution and pose serious environmental issues. The current study attempts to categorize and quantify microplastics from selected regions of the northern coast of Kerala, located in the Southwest coast of India. In this study, surface seawater samples were collected from five sampling sites for three months. The five sampling regions selected were marked with GPS (Global Positioning System) and replicates of surface seawater samples (top ⁓10 cm) were collected from the selected transects by using a zooplankton net of mesh size 240 μm that was hauled in water for 20 min. In this study, deep coloured fibres (< 2 mm in size) were predominant and these were observed in the range of 0.80–6.99 items/m3. An analysis of the chemical composition of the microplastic particles by micro-Raman Spectroscopy (HORIBA Scientific LabSpec 6) revealed that polypropylene (PP) was the dominant (31–52% of the randomly selected subset (10%) of total fibre particles) among the five polymer types collected. Poly (ethylene- co -vinyl acetate) or PEVA, polyamide (PA), polybutadiene (BR) and polyethylene (PE) were the other polymer types observed and the presence of these particles in the coastal seawaters causes a lot of harm as these areas comprise rich fauna that plays a significant role in the food web. The current study will provide the impetus to conduct similar studies in seawaters and other aquatic environments in India and the threat microplastic particles impose on the ecological community could also be better estimated by understanding their status. This quantitative study opens the door for further research on the distribution of microplastic particles in the system and the adsorption of organic pollutants and their leaching effects on fauna. [Display omitted] • Characteristics of microplastics in surface seawater off the northern coast of Kerala were revealed. • MPs were plenteous with predominance of fibres (≤ 2 mm) in all the seawater samples observed. • Polypropylene (PP) was the prevalent polymer type. • Polybutadiene (BR), a characteristic component of tyres was observed from the coastal waters of drive-in beach. • Dominance of secondary MPs indicated the increased manipulation of coastal zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]