Assessment of pollution and risks associated with microplastics in the riverine sediments of the Western Ghats: a heritage site in southern India

Microplastic pollution in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern India, poses significant ecological risks to its rich biodiversity. A study analyzing riverine sediments from the River Sharavathi revealed microplastic concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 57.5 pieces/kg during pre-monsoon and 0 to 15 pieces/kg post-monsoon, with smaller particles (0.3-1 mm) dominating due to physical breakdown. The main polymers identified were polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene. Risk assessment indices indicated hazardous pollution levels, with the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) showing higher values during post-monsoon seasons. This suggests severe ecological threats, particularly to the region's sensitive ecosystems, necessitating urgent mitigation strategies.

Amrutha, K., Shajikumar, S., Warrier, A. K., Sebastian, J. G., Sali, Y. A., Chandran, T., Sivadas, S., Naik, R., Amrish, V. N., Kumar, A., & Unnikrishnan, V. (2022). Assessment of pollution and risks associated with microplastics in the riverine sediments of the Western Ghats: a heritage site in southern India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(12), 32301–32319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24437-z