Seasonal variation of microplastics in tropical mangrove waters of South-western India

The current study investigates the seasonal variations in microplastic (MP) contamination, specifically those ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, within the tropical mangroves of Kota, South-western India. Mean concentrations ( ± standard deviation) of 1.42 ± 0.92 MPs/L (post-monsoon), 0.62 ± 0.38 MPs/L (pre-monsoon), and 0.19 ± 0.08 MPs/L (monsoon) were observed. Fibers emerged as the most abundant category across all samples, with a dominant size fraction of less than 1 mm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) analyses identified various polymer types, including polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Potential sources of microplastic contamination in the region could be ascribed to tourism, marine product-related industries, prawn farming, and residents. The findings of this study offer crucial insights into the seasonal fluctuations of microplastic contamination in the Kota mangrove ecosystem.