Microplastics in Hooghly river water and sediment: A case study

Bagri, Amarjeet (2019) Microplastics in Hooghly river water and sediment: A case study. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

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Abstract

Synthetic polymers as plastic trash are a standout amongst the most noteworthy pollutants in the aquatic condition. Incredibly durable, lightweight, and for the most part buoyant, plastic particles spread in the amphibian condition and keep going for a very long while. Therefore, it isn't astounding that plastic particles are accounted for in various sizes and shapes in every single marine compartment everywhere throughout the world. The first objective of this thesis was the determination of the extent of plastic pollution in lower Ganga basin by estimating the abundance of microplastic in the river water and sediment. Second objective was identification or characterization of plastics present in sediment and water. Shore sediments and water sampled along the main stream and the branches of Hooghly river appeared as appropriate environmental compartments to monitor the plastic pollution. The result of this investigation uncovers that inland river system is seriously polluted with microplastic particles. Synthetic polymers were determined in all of the tested shore sediments from the Hooghly river. Large abundance of buoyant, high production plastic particles (PE, PP, and PS), and the presence of many fiber and pellet microparticles showed the importance for regulation on plastic products. Furthermore, the results of the thesis highlight the significance to identify direct sources of microplastics to mitigate the environmental pollution with plastic particles. This is underlined by the continuous input of plastics, resulting in a constant pollution of river water and shore sediments. Further, an identification of direct microplastic sources located at inland river systems might diminish the discharge of microplastics into the oceans dramatically, as the results proved riverine transport of microplastics that will likely end up in the ocean. These results can only provide a snapshot of the microplastic pollution in a limited research area. However, the results strongly promote further monitoring of microplastics, especially as the research area was located in an industrial area with a well-developed waste management system. Thus, the global problem of the pollution of aqueous systems with plastics might be significantly higher.”

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