Developing country facilities, financial and human resources prevent complete application of sampling, analysis, and observation protocols used in developed countries neccitating adaptations. Researchers in Vietnam developed and standardized a methodology for microplastic monitoring in sediments and surface waters of 21 environments (rivers, lakes, bays, beaches) of eight cities or provinces. The concentrations of microplastics in surface waters ranged from 0.35 to 2522 items m-3, with the lowest concentrations recorded in the bays and the highest in the rivers. In most environments (47 to 97%), fibers dominated fragments. Microplastic concentrations were found to be correlated with the pressure of anthropogenic activity on the environment, emphasizing the importance of identifying the local sources of microplastics in the near future.
This policy brief provides arguments on and insights into why and how plastic chemicals and polymers of concern should be integrated in the global plastics treaty. The document is an output of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (SCEPT working group on chemicals, polymers and products) and aims at policymakers involved in the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee[…]
The paper provides new insights into marine environments and human activities and suggests plastic waste should be controlled through laws that regulate waste sources and plastic additives in order to solve the problem of plastic accumulation in the oceans.
The paper strengthens the evidence that microplastics are present in the studied biota, suggesting that they are transferred between trophic levels through the interconnected food chain/web. The presence of micro plastics in fish guts highlights the need for further research on processing interventions for reducing microplastic contamination.
PPE (face masks and gloves) were surveyed at six Indian beaches. There were 496 PPE counted with an average density of 1.08 × 10−3 PPE m−2. Previous studies found similar PPE density. Face masks accounted for 98.39% of all PPE recorded, while gloves accounted for only 1.61%. As a result of the increase in vaccination[…]
The research seeks to depict and reduce marine plastic pollution in India. A GIS map has been created to show plastic input from different river basins. In order to address the challenges of marine litter in India, a guiding model has been developed. According to the predictive model, India produces 536 thousand tons of municipal[…]