Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Gurupura Estuarine Sediments, Mangalore, India

Abstract

This study aims to shed light on the ability of intertidal ecosystems within estuaries to cope with microplastic pollution. Microplastics identified in this research were categorized based on their source (primary and secondary microplastics) and size, with particles smaller than 1000 μm comprising the majority (79%). Additionally, colour and shape characteristics were assessed, with coloured plastic (89%) and fibre shapes (99%) being predominant. Polymer types detected included Polyamide (61%), polyethylene (27%), polypropylene (11%), and polystyrene (1%). Of note, in 11 samples, secondary microplastics were more frequently recovered, indicating the potential degradation of initial microplastics via photochemical and biological processes. The most commonly identified microplastics, as determined by FTIR analysis, were polyamide, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene. These findings provide valuable insights for future studies aiming to monitor microplastic abundance along the Gurupura estuary shoreline. To mitigate the overabundance of microplastics in estuarine sediments, effective waste management strategies, legislative measures, and increased awareness of the ecological impacts of microplastics are crucial.