微塑料,一种新出现的污染物,在世界各地的海洋中普遍存在,河流是这些污染物进入海洋的关键输送器。缺乏与季节性波动有关的可用数据,从上游到下游的河流中微塑料的空间分布和风险评估。收集这些数据对于制定河流微塑料的有益管理策略至关重要。为了弥合这一研究差距,在喀拉拉邦的Periyar河进行了调查,印度,暴露在人为压力下,有微塑料污染的风险。共有十八个地点(下游各有六个地点,中游和上游)在一年的三个季节中对这条河的244公里处进行了调查。这项研究揭示了微塑料浓度空间分布的可辨别的模式,其中从上游到中游的丰度增加,然后沿下游区域向下游的丰度突然增加。在季风季节获得的最高平均微塑料丰度为124.95项目/L,其次是季风季节后的123.21项目/L和季风前的120.50项目/L。发现微塑料的主要形式是纤维,碎片和细丝。获得的最普遍的聚合物类型是聚乙烯(PE)和聚丙烯(PP)。还评估了污染危害指数(PHI)和污染负荷指数(PLI),以评估该河流的水质。这项研究的结果得出结论,Periyar河在整个过程中都受到微塑料的污染,并为检测河流系统中的微塑料来源提供了重要的见解,并为实施旨在减轻其影响的潜在措施提供了支持。
Microplastics, an emerging contaminant, are widespread in oceans around the world, and rivers are the key conveyors of these pollutants into the oceans. There exists a dearth of available data pertaining to seasonal fluctuation, spatial distribution and risk assessment of
microplastics in rivers extending from upper reaches to the lower reaches. The collection of such data is of utmost importance for the purpose of formulating beneficial management strategies for riverine
microplastics. In order to bridge this research gap, an investigation was made in the Periyar River in Kerala, India, which is exposed to anthropogenic stress and is at risk of microplastic pollution. A total of eighteen sites (six sites each from downstream, midstream and upstream) along the 244 km of the river were investigated across three seasons in a year. The study revealed a discernible pattern in the spatial distribution of microplastic concentrations, wherein there was a rise in abundance from the upstream to midstream and then a sudden increase of abundance along the downstream regions towards the lower reaches. The highest mean microplastic abundance of 124.95 items/L was obtained during the monsoon season followed by post-monsoon season i.e. 123.21 items/L and pre-monsoon i.e. 120.50 items/L. The predominant forms of
microplastics were found to be fibres, fragments and filaments. Most prevalent polymer types acquired were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Pollution hazard index (PHI) and pollution load index (PLI) were also evaluated to assess the water quality of this river. The findings of this study conclude that the Periyar River is polluted with
microplastics throughout its course and offer significant insights into the detection of microplastic origins in river systems and lend support to the implementation of potential measures aimed at mitigating their impact.