School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Taleigao, 403206, Goa, India.
Department of Geology, Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim, 403505, Goa, India.
Environ Monit Assess. 2024 Oct 3;196(11):1007. doi: 10.1007/s10661-024-13181-1.
Limited research has been conducted on microplastic (MP) contamination in the rivers of Goa. To address this gap, this study examines the levels of MP contamination in the surface water of the Zuari River, Goa. We investigate the abundance, characteristics (size, shape, colour, and polymer composition), and risk assessment of MPs. MPs were detected at all sampling stations in the Zuari River, with concentrations varying from 0.01 particles/L (S3) to 1.38 particles/L (S13). The average abundance of MPs in the water samples was 0.28 ± 0.35 particles/L. MPs were more common in the 0.3-1 mm size range (51.70%) than in the 1-5 mm range (48.30%). The most common MP shapes observed were fibers (37.88%) and fragments (29.66%). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyacrylamide carboxyl-modified MPs. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) showed an average value of 3.8, indicating significant contamination (PLI > 1). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed various degradation features such as pits, scratches, grooves, and cracks on the MPs surfaces, while energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) detected metals on the MP's surfaces. This study provides key insights into MP pollution in the Zuari River's surface water and lays the groundwork for future research and management strategies in the region.
关于果阿河流中的微塑料（MP）污染，相关研究较少。为了填补这一空白，本研究检测了果阿的祖阿里河（Zuari River）地表水的 MP 污染水平。我们调查了 MPs 的丰度、特征（大小、形状、颜色和聚合物组成）和风险评估。在祖阿里河的所有采样点都检测到了 MPs，浓度从 0.01 个/升（S3）到 1.38 个/升（S13）不等。水样中 MPs 的平均丰度为 0.28±0.35 个/升。 MPs 在 0.3-1 毫米的尺寸范围内更为常见（51.70%），而在 1-5 毫米范围内则相对较少（48.30%）。观察到的最常见的 MPs 形状是纤维（37.88%）和碎片（29.66%）。傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）分析证实了聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯、高密度聚乙烯、聚丙烯和聚丙烯酰胺羧基改性 MPs 的存在。污染负荷指数（PLI）显示平均数值为 3.8，表明存在显著污染（PLI>1）。扫描电子显微镜（SEM）显示 MPs 表面存在各种降解特征，如凹坑、划痕、凹槽和裂缝，而能量色散 X 射线光谱（EDS）则检测到 MPs 表面的金属。本研究提供了祖阿里河地表水 MP 污染的关键信息，为该地区未来的研究和管理策略奠定了基础。
