
pmid: 38763293
The investigation along the Coromandel coastline of South-east India focused on assessing microplastics abundance using Simpson's diversity index (DIMP), Degradation-carbonyl index (DgCIMP), Pollution load index (PLIMP) and Ecological risk fraction (RfMP). These indices evaluated the dissemination and transportation of MPs across a 1076 km stretch divided into five zones from Chennai to Kanyakumari. During the wet season, average microplastics abundance (101 ± 36.6 items/kg dw) was lower compared to the dry season (143 ± 56.2 items/kg dw). Notably, 54% and 45% of microplastics were found in the 0.1-0.5 mm size range, with 45% and 64% being colored microplastics, and 80% and 71% being fibers during the wet and dry seasons respectively. Micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR) analysis showed rayon (34%) and PE (64%) dominance in ports and estuaries during both seasons. Kottaipattinam Port exhibited higher diversity indices (DIMPsh=0.56,DIMPsz=0.66,DIMPco=0.50andDIMPpo=0.65) compared to other zones, with an overall diversity index IDIMP of 0.57. Notably, among the DgCIMP values (n = 96), only 12 fell within the moderate photo-chemical oxidation range (0.16-0.35), while the majority (n = 60) surpassed 0.35 indicating higher oxidation levels, with some (n = 24) exceeding 0.50, signifying extreme oxidation. PLIMP revealed that 42% of sampling stations had very low to negligible MP contamination levels in ports and estuaries. However, ecological risk fraction RfMP values ranged from 10.2 to 13,670, with 27% of values exceeding 1500, indicating higher coastal ecological risk in 13 sampling stations.
Geologic Sediments, Microplastics, India, Seasons, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Environmental Monitoring
Geologic Sediments, Microplastics, India, Seasons, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Environmental Monitoring
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