Publications

Marine litter on the beaches of the Kanyakumari, Southern India: An assessment of their abundance and pollution indices
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This study provides a novel insight into the marine litter pollution along the Kanyakumari coast. In order to conduct a baseline study to identify and assess the abundance of marine litter along the seven beaches of Kanyakumari, Clean Coast Index (CCI) and Plastic Abundance Index (PAI) were calculated. The results obtained showcased that plastics were the most abundant items, followed by foam along with clothes, rubber, paper, glass, metal, wood and others. The average value of CCI (27.24) indicated that the beaches were ‘extremely dirty’ and the PAI value (71.43 %) indicated that five beaches have ‘high abundance’. From the study, it was clear that about 96.87% of marine litter originates from land-based sources. This paper provides an interpretive framework for further assessment of plastic pollution that can help in managing the marine litter pollution on the Indian beaches.

Latest Posts

1
The effects of riverside cities on microplastics in river water: A case study on the Southern Jiangsu Canal, China

The paper studies the microplastic abundances and characteristics in the Southern Jiangsu Canal to reveal the effect of riverside cities on microplastics in river water. The results show that the microplastic abundance in the water body of the South Jiangsu Canal ranges from 3.41 to 19.07 particles L−1, with an average of 9.59 ± 3.95[…]

2
Distribution and weathering characteristics of microplastics in paddy soils following long-term mulching: A field study in Southwest China

This paper reveals the status of microplastic pollution in paddy soil with long-term mulching. The study investigates the distribution and weathering characteristics of filmy microplastics in a mulched paddy field (non-mulched, four years of mulched, and ten years of continuous mulched soil were investigated) in Southwest China. The filmy microplastics accumulated annually in the plough[…]

3
Review of polymer technologies for improving the recycling and upcycling efficiency of plastic waste

The paper reviews advancements in polymer technologies that aim to improve the efficiency of recycling and upcycling plastic waste. Increasing the rate of recycling and upcycling is critical for addressing the issues caused by plastic pollution, and, at the same time, overcoming the technical limitations on the same. The research emphasises the need to develop[…]

4
Nanoplastics are significantly different from microplastics in urban waters

The study analyses the current advancements in the behavioural differences between MPs and NPs in urban waters. Analytical challenges, fate, interactions with surrounding pollutants, and eco-impacts of MPs and NPs are similarly discussed in this paper. It has been highlighted in the study that the characterization and fate studies of NPs are more challenging as[…]

5
Unfolding the science behind policy initiatives targeting plastic pollution

The study investigates scientifically evidence-based policy initiatives for targeting plastic pollution. The issue of plastic pollution is complex and still related to several uncertainties, which implies that policy initiatives must allow for flexibility and ongoing evaluations to adjust to the evolving knowledge generation. It is also important that the scientific community provide the needed research[…]