Occurrence, distribution and composition of microplastics in the sediments of South Andaman beaches

Herein, we report the prevalence of microplastics in the South Andaman beaches, India. The average microplastic abundance of the eight stations covered along the South Andaman beach was found to be 414.35 ± 87.4 particles per kilogram of beach sediment. Among the stations sampled, Kodiyaghat was fou...

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Published inMarine pollution bulletin Vol. 156; p. 111227
Main Authors Patchaiyappan, Arunkumar, Ahmed, Syed Zaki, Dowarah, Kaushik, Jayakumar, Shanmuganathan, Devipriya, Suja P.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2020
Elsevier BV
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Summary:Herein, we report the prevalence of microplastics in the South Andaman beaches, India. The average microplastic abundance of the eight stations covered along the South Andaman beach was found to be 414.35 ± 87.4 particles per kilogram of beach sediment. Among the stations sampled, Kodiyaghat was found with highest microplastic abundance of 973.3 ± 76.59 particles per kilogram of beach sediment and Burmanullah recorded the lowest number of 161.7 ± 32.51. Microplastic particles of different types, size, color and shape were present in all the eight stations sampled. From the Raman spectral analysis, thirteen different types of polymers were identified. The microplastic pollution may be attributed to improper solid waste management, tourism activities and maritime activities. The present study will help in understanding the prevalence, source and pathway of microplastic particles and their affiliated risk to the fragile marine ecosystem. [Display omitted] •Microplastic contamination level in the sediment was found to be 414.35 ± 87.4 particles per kilogram of beach sediment.•Fragments and fibres were found to be dominant in terms of shape.•Microplastics of size between 500 and 1000 μm dominated the microplastic share.•Raman spectral analysis revealed 13 types of polymers like polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polybutadiene etc.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111227