- Dona Paula, Goa, India.
- +91-0832- 2450327
- iiosc2020[at]nio[dot]org
Abstract Submission No. | ABS-2022-09-0462 |
Title of Abstract | Release of microplastics from an urban sewage wastewater as a subsequent pathway to marine environment |
Authors | Chayanika Rathore*, Mahua Saha, Aniket Desai, Priyansha Gupta, Akshata Naik, Haritha Y.S |
Organisation | CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa |
Address | CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography Dona Paula, Goa, India Pincode: 403 004 Mobile: 7066533687 E-mail: chayanikarathore@gmail.com |
Country | India |
Presentation | Oral |
Abstract | The cosmopolitan nature of plastics and microplastics (MPs) in particular has become a major global issue. Wastewater discharges both treated and untreated are a significant pathway of MPs and potentially aid its transport from terrestrial to marine environment. This study mainly focused on identifying and classifying different types of MPs from different point and non- point sources from the city, Panjim, Goa, India. The sewage wastewater was found contaminated with MP particles in the range of 79-338.2 MPs/L. The majority of MPs found were fibres (63.3%) followed by films (25.5%) and fragments (11.2%) at all the locations with the size range varying from 100-300µm (63.6%), 300-1000 µm (29.8%) and 1000-5000 µm (6.6%). Overall, 43 diverse polymeric materials were detected in sewage wastewaters (µ- FTIR), with polyacrylamide (PAM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), styrene/ isoprene copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and polyethylene (PE) being the most abundant. This study bespeaks about major constituents of MPs found in sewage wastewaters reflecting the same signatures of MPs originated from land-based sources such as personal care products (cosmetics), laundering of clothes, tire wear and tear, road dust and various anthropogenic debris. Moreover, it has been found that treated as well as untreated sewage wastewaters can contribute significant number of MPs to the river/estuary catchments and ultimately transported to oceans. Furthermore, this study can help in formulating environmental management policies for the evaluation of best practises and insights into creative solutions to prevent entry and dispersal of MPs in the marine environment. |